Mad Mongrels is launching a structured traineeship to train the next generation of professional dog trainers. This program combines hands-on experience, science-based methodologies, and personalised mentorship to develop confident, ethical trainers capable of handling family pets through to high-performance working dogs.

Who the traineeship is for

• New trainers entering the industry

• Recent graduates of canine courses seeking practical experience

• Dog lovers aiming to transition to a professional role

• Current handlers who want formal mentoring and credential-building

Core competencies developed

• Canine behaviour assessment and problem behaviour management

• Construction of stepwise training plans and progression criteria

• Use of positive reinforcement, marker training, and systematic desensitisation/counterconditioning

• Handling skills for nervous, reactive and high-drive dogs

• Client education, behaviour modification counselling and report writing

• Risk assessment, safety protocols and kennel management

• Record-keeping, scheduling and professional conduct

Mad Mongrels offers an extended pathway to develop working dogs for roles including search and rescue basics, detection foundations, sport (agility, obedience, working trials) and specialised companion team enhancement.

Components:

• Selection & suitability screening: evaluating temperament, drive, trainability and physical soundness

• Foundational drive work: channeling motivation into reliable responses and impulse control

• Scentwork and detection fundamentals: building search patterns, indication, and reward strategies

• Obedience under distraction and task-specific problem solving

• Environment and scenario training: vehicle searches, rubble/urban search simulations, public access and handler protection of handler-dog team welfare

• Fitness, conditioning and injury prevention tailored to work demands

• Transition to deployment: certification steps, handler training and handover protocols

Outcomes for trainees

• Practical experience in both companion and working-dog contexts

• Confidence to manage behaviour cases and design effective training programs

• Skills to identify and develop dogs suited to operational roles

• Strong portfolio of documented case studies and trainer references

Mad Mongrels combines compassionate, science-based training with personalised care and industry-experienced mentors. Our facilities supports diverse training needs—from improving family dog behaviour to producing reliable working dogs—so trainees gain a broad, marketable skill set and lifelong professional connections.

Contact us to request the traineeship prospectus and available intake dates.