Dog TRainer School

Dogue Academy logo

My name is Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, and I founded the Dogue Academy school for dog trainer professionals and the Dogue Shop in 1999. The Dogue Academy is a dog trainer and animal-assisted therapy program where national and international students come to learn dog behaviour and how to train dogs. My mission is to educate, through science-based learning theories, enrichment, behaviour management, and behaviour modification, animals and the people who care for them. 

The Animal Behaviour Apprenticeship (ABA) levels 1 to 4 is a one-year course. The Animal Behaviour Apprenticeship (ABA) and the Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) programs are unique opportunities for dog and animal lovers to realize their dream of becoming dog trainers*, dog behaviour consultants, or animal-assisted therapists. In 2023, the ABA and AAT merged into one program. Since the AAT contained most of the ABA subject matter and needed more weekends to teach, it was an easy decision. 

Dogue Academy crest

The AAT program has extra internship hours to fulfill at the end; thus, we schedule sessions according to the student’s program plan, client, or patient. AAT participants must have a university degree in human sciences (teacher, social worker, psychologist, etc.) or be in the process of completing your program. If you are currently in university, please register during your last school year.

The ABA dog trainer program gets a makeover yearly to adjust to the latest scientific discoveries. I adapt and make changes based on your feedback. The Dogue Academy strives for excellence in its services and products. Below is a summary of the course content. Each group has unique supplemental content based on scientific discoveries, relevant topics in the media, and ethical discussions. 

Program Details

The Animal Behaviour Apprenticeship is a four hundred (400) hour part-time program. It is given consecutively from September to June, with monthly breaks. The program aims to give future dog trainers the theoretical and practical knowledge to train and treat mild to severe behaviour problems. The program’s objectives focus on physical and emotional language, behaviourism, social-cognitive learning theory, training, behaviour modification protocols, and behaviour management. Each class focuses on deepening and perfecting your clicker training, shaping, while developing effective problem-solving, decision-making, and program-planning aptitudes. 

Teckel dog training

The animal profession does not solely revolve around associative learning, behaviourism, and luring (food bribes). There are many animal learning theories, and the Dogue Academy teaches critical thinking by applying new dog training learning theories. Furthermore, students learn, discuss, and utilize perceptual, spatial, non-associative learning, imprinting, and complex problem-solving learning theories. 

Continued education is vital to me, so I design new classes and add them to the Dogue Academy curriculum as it moves forward. I invited past and future dog trainers to perfect their skills through Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and practical application of science-based learning theories and concepts. I aim to keep course content as accurate as possible with the latest scientific discoveries; consequently, I revise the science-based program yearly and update it as necessary. The ABA has evolved tremendously since its creation in 2009 and will continue to do so in the future.  

Each cohort is part of a social messaging group on the Telegram app. We use the application to discuss homework and assignments, ask questions, or share memes and videos. Finally, you receive lifetime support and access to our mentorship program at no additional cost. 

Registration

Registrations are ongoing, and I accept qualifying students on a first-come-first-served basis. Send a one-page letter of intent (why you want to work with dogs or other animal species) and your curriculum vitae or achievements demonstrating your interest and experience in dog training or animal behaviour. After I receive your documents, I will contact you to schedule an interview to discuss your eligibility. The interview is done online or in person. If you have conducted your interview in the past, you can register directly by downloading the forms, filling them out, signing them, and returning them to Dogue AcademyPlease note I do not give prices over the phone or online. 

Forms

Registration Application
Waiver & Assumption of Risk
2024-2025 Payment Plan

If you studied in another establishment and want to deepen your skills at the Dogue Academy. In that case, you must take and pass the level 1 theoretical and practical exams with 80%. A $175+tx fee is applicable for the exam. If you pass both evaluations, I will deduct the exam cost from your tuition. Dogue Academy is a recognized school by Revenue Quebec and Employment and Social Development Canada as a continuing educational establishment. You can deduct course fees from your income tax reports. 

Schedule

The following schedule is updated each school year to announce when the following classes begin. 
Thursday: 18:00 - 21:00
Friday: 18:00 - 21:00
Saturday 9:00 - 17:00      

Download the school calendar for 2024-2025
Official Calendar

Accommodation

Should you travel from outside the province or far enough that you wish to stay in Montreal during classes, please get in touch with Gaby or visit Dogue’s Accommodation page. She will explain your options, should you want to stay in the city. Extra charges will apply.

* According to the Government of Canada - Job Bank for the province of Quebec.
** Short for Behaviour Modification.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY BOOK IS OUT

animal assisted therapy book

The long-awaited Animal-Assisted Therapy: Superstars Change Teen Lives was released on November 1, 2023 and is available at the Dogue Shop's Bookstore. For out-of-town folks, if you buy the book from the Dogue Shop, I will dedicate and sign it before I send it to you. If you have a special request,. make sure to ask in the comment section of your order.

The book is available in two font types: regular and open dyslexia see here. The Dyslexia font edition is for, you guessed it, dyslexic readers. The manuscript is double the size because the dyslexia font has a wider gap between letters. 

Can you imagine telling your family and friends you read a 516-page book? I can because I, too, am dyslexic.

GABY'S TRAINING APPROACH

Wolf training sit pretty

Science allows me to train dogs and animals of all species because learning theories and training techniques are the same no matter which creature I work with. As a professional, the challenge for me is knowing which learning theory, training technique, and behaviour modification protocol to apply to the animal species I work with. I then established a training plan and set the animal up for success.

I love to teach and train animals, but my reinforcement comes in two waves. First, seeing an animal understand and display the behaviours that I set out to modify increases my dopamine. Secondly, there is nothing is more satisfying than watching a person realize, in real time, that the animal is succeeding. 

Finally, I focus on the social cognitive learning theory to train dogs, zebras, rats, or giraffes. I am constantly studying (I am still in university, studying for my second degree) to improve my teaching and training skills. Science does not stand still; therefore, I dedicate my life to moving along with it.

I love all species, but I am definitely in my element when wolves surround me. There is nothing quite as compelling as knowing we have changed an animal’s brain structure for the better; in that sense, we are social cognitive engineers.

If you want to plan a dog-related event and wish to invite me as a speaker or author, email me, and I will get back to you shortly. I always make time in the year to attend or host various functions.

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