ANIMAL BEHAVIOR COLLEGE
As more people stayed home , pet adoptions rose , greater numbers of dogs and cats found forever homes and the need for dog and cat trainers increased . Many people found it was possible to work outside of their offices and function quite effectively and , in doing so , rediscovered the joy of being able to spend more time at home with family .
asked to stand on a much shorter line . In fact , you might be the only cat trainer . This means you stand out , which increases the likelihood of referrals . Granted , they will probably be more for cats than dogs at the start , but once you get your foot in the door , the opportunities are more frequent for dog training as well .
While ABC has known all this for quite a few years , we found that starting in 2019 and escalating during COVID , more and more dog trainers have taken an interest in cat training . So , enrollments in our cat training program have grown . We have also noted an increase in the number of veterinary assistants who elect to take our cat training program . There are numerous reasons why including the fact that having a veterinary team member on staff who can answer client questions about cat behavioral challenges means the hospital can stand out by offering an added value to its clients . Cats can be trained , and with more than 40 percent of US households having one , the potential to do good and build your business is enormous .
By the way , some readers might think that they won ’ t build their businesses using the old school method I just mentioned . Instead , they plan on building a presence through social media or online advertising to generate their business . That ’ s fine but it doesn ’ t change the inherent advantages you have if you broaden your knowledge and marketability by learning to train both cats and dogs . Plus , social media and online marketing campaigns are about content . There is a lot of dog training content out there . There is less cat training content which again allows those who can offer both to stand out .
All APDT members may enroll in our cat training program at our bundled rate . Contact us for details , but it ’ s an almost 50-percent discount . This offer will be valid until March 1 , 2022 . Note : if you don ’ t request the discount at the time of enrollment , we won ’ t offer it later , and you will have to confirm your APDT membership by sharing your APDT number when we ask . https :// www . animalbehaviorcollege . com / cat-training /
Back in 2018 , several people at ABC came to me suggesting we create an aquatics management program . My first reaction upon hearing this was to say , “ Fish training ? Really ? Is that even a thing ”? This should probably give all readers a basic gauge as to my aquatics knowledge . However , after looking at the statistics regarding the number of fish kept in North America and the size of the fish hobbyist industry , I was convinced . It took us the better part of 18 months to get the program written , but the result was impressive . We called this course AMP , which is short for Aquarium Maintenance
Program . AMP took off in 2020 and has done very well in 2021 . For more information about this program , visit https :// www . animalbehaviorcollege . com / aquarium-maintenance /
Finally , I will save what some consider the most exciting program for last . In 2021 we launched our newest course : Zookeeper Assistant Program or ZAP . What can I say , Animal Behavior College loves acronyms . The ZAP program is a 10-stage course that covers a variety of topics such as species-specific husbandry , including carnivores , primates , elephants , and more . In addition , the course addresses animal housing and exhibits , animal behavior , enrichment and training , animal safety in a zoo or rescue environment , exotic animal health , nutrition , etc . This program took us more than two years to create and has been the most popular new program we have offered since we launched our veterinary assistant course back in 2008 . For more information on this new program , visit https :// www . animalbehaviorcollege . com / zookeeper-assistant /
We are hard at work on new programs , and as they come closer to completion , I will share them as well . Special thanks to all ABC graduates , students , and mentors who are reading this , and thanks to everyone for taking your time to listen .
Steven Appelbaum is the founder and president of Animal Behavior College ( ABC ). With 40 years of dog training and pet industry experience , he used his extensive knowledge and business acumen to create Animal Behavior College – the largest animal career school of its kind in North America and offers courses in all 50 states and in every Canadian province . ABC offers four core programs in dog obedience trainer training , cat training , pet grooming and veterinary assisting , as well as five short-term programs on an array of subjects including , pet nutrition , training shelter dogs , pet massage , pet sitting and selling and teaching private lessons . Steve is a lecturer and has been an expert consultant and expert witness on a number of dog bite cases . He has written numerous published articles and columns for magazines . Steve is the author of the book The ABC Practical Guide to Dog Training , is the former editor of Off Lead Magazine , and currently writes a column for Pet Age . He and his wife Shelley reside in Pasadena , California . He a private pilot , runner , avid Basset Hound lover and devoted “ pet parent ” to his Basset Hound Truffles and gigantic 105-pound Labrador named Sam . He may be reached at www . animalbehaviorcollege . com
The APDT Chronicle of the Dog | Winter 2021 33