Is there anyway I can learn dog training without owning a dog?
I would like to get a dog but I cannot currently, circumstances wont allow it. But since I have never had owned a dog myself I don't even know how to teach a dog how to sit! Where can I go to learn dog training without having a dog to train?
Answer:
You could borrow one from a friend and start with something as simple as Petsmart classes. You also might consider a Schutzhund club….possibly training as a "helper". Eventually, you'd want to apprentice under a seasoned trainer for 1-3 years. The more dogs and the more diverse the breeds, the better.
Books. Nothing beats hands on work, but in the case where you don't own a dog (and don't want to risk messing someone else's dog up by experimenting) you can always read books. Or use Google or other internet search sites. Also doesn't hurt to watch a basic/puppy class at your local Petsmart (note: those classes are good only for the basics with a dog that has NO behavioral issues, but a good base start if you want clickers and positive type training.)
Don't limit yourself. Even though i own a dog, i never stop reading. Millan, Stillwell, McConnell, Aloff, and more recently Koehler – read most, if not all of their books. I'm leaning to Koehler Method right now. Highly suggest picking it up at Amazon and reading it.
It's an odd situation, but some dog training schools have owner training classes that teach you how to train your dog. I understand that owners usually bring the dog with them, but you could always check and see if you could go just for the info. I'm sure most dog schools would love to work with someone wanting to train themselves BEFORE taking the pet ownership leap.
If there aren't any in your area, I'd suggest reading up on it. There are plenty of books on the subject, and I think this is definitely one area where book-learning would tell you what you need to know.
There are courses you can do.
http://www.bipdt.org.uk/
http://www.animalcarecollege.co.uk/course_sec.php
However after joining a dog forum with trainers, breeders and showers it seems as if you have never owned a dog you arnt taken seriously, quite a few people said about one well known trainer (i wont mention there name) "they are not a propper trainer, they have never even owned a dog".
I did animal behaviour in all my animal care courses and i loved it. i want to get into dog training but like you i couldnt own a dog, so i just lurnt as much as i could by reading books and articales, and im now able to get a dog of my own.
Like anything else, book learning is good but hands-on learning is FAR better. Check out expert village, google, and youtube for dog training tips and methods to use. Then you can always volunteer at a humane society as a dog walker and practice on them. Before we could get a dog, we spent a lot of time at the local shelter playing with them and practicing methods.
It's free, it's easy, they will REALLY appreciate your help and you'll get to know more about dogs than you can ever imagine. Your ownership experience will be MUCH better for that.
You could ask if you could sit in local obedience classes and gain some experiece that way.
You could contact an animal behaviourist and ask if you could "shadow" them for a day.
I thought you meant practical hands-on experience but if you just want to learn the theories behind training, there are plenty of books out there and the web is full of info.