Six month

Mentorship Program

For aspiring dog walkers and trainers

Next course starts 1st August 2024.

What’s included.

  • Case studies.

    1 group zoom call a month alongside fellow mentees to delve into a case study of 2 dogs: one of our clients and one of yours. As a group we will discuss causality of problem behaviours and come up with a theoretical training plan for each dog discussed.

  • Coffee dates.

    Ask me anything! Like instagram, but personal. This is your time to sit down with me 1:1 in an informal setting and ask anything you want. We could discuss industry-related topics, current queries regarding a particular dog or advice specific to your business or situation.

  • Shadow 1:1 training sessions.

    Shadow a trainer twice a month. Observing training sessions is a great opportunity to see how another trainer works with a dog and client in real time.

  • Shadow pack walks.

    Shadow a walker twice a month. Learn how to run and operate safe and successful pack walks, and observe the day-to-day running of a thriving dog walking service.

  • Shadow training classes.

    At Fetch Club we offer a range of classes from puppy to obedience classes. Depending on your preference, you may shadow for a full back to back course or 5 spread-out sessions over the course of the six month mentorship.

  • Access to dog sport days.

    Access to 2 club days a month. Shadow obedience sessions, observe protection sessions, ask questions and spend time with like-minded dog owners who are working on intricacies different to that of pet dog behavioural work.

  • Workshops.

    1 workshop day a month. You are invited to bring your own dog or a client’s dog for either a group session or a quick-round training morning, followed by a couple of hours of lecture on a given topic. Find out more about the range of workshop topics below.

  • Monthly check ins.

    A phone call to review what you have learned that month and set goals together for the next month. We want to ensure that your time with us is as productive as possible, and we are committed to helping you achieve your goals.

  • Half a day with your dog.

    2 half days a month to work with Jen on anything you want! Working through a behaviour problem with your dog? Want access to a social, balanced pack? Have a client’s dog you’d like me to take a look at? This is your time so you can choose how you would like to spend it.

  • Reading list.

    People learn in different ways and some of us love to read or soak up information through an audiobook. You’ll be given a recommended reading list, as well as educational courses we recommend if you’re looking for more formal qualifications.

  • Support.

    One of the scariest things about starting a business, or being in the dog industry, is feeling like you’re venturing out there on your own. Through this mentorship you will not only get support from Jen and the Fetch Club team, but your fellow mentees will be there to cheer you on as well.

  • Reactive dog class.

    You will receive an open invitation to join our reactive dog class twice a month with a dog of your choosing. Even if you don’t have a reactive dog, it can be good to work on neutrality in a class setting, as well as see how we work with clients in this environment.

Workshop Topics

  • Advice on what works and what doesn't from someone who's tried a lot of both! Covering aspects such as branding, business relationships, equipment set up and recommendations, we'll discuss where to start, what to avoid and how to know you're on the right track.
    You'll then go on to learn efficient ways to run a successful business, including industry-specific guidance on administration such as insurance, T&C's, softwares and delivering a professional service.

  • We will offer direction on how to deliver a training sessions, how to get the best out of different clients you'll meet and how to produce results.
    We will cover dog training science such as classical and operant conditioning, as well as different techniques like free shaping, box feeding and proofing behaviours. Where do qualifications play a role in your career? We will give you our top recommendations for the best qualifications and providers in the UK.
    You will also be provided with a reading list for extra study.

  • Techniques for improving the two most common problem behaviours you'll see as a dog trainer: lead walking and recall. We will look at different techniques and different applications so that you are armed with options ready to work with any client.
    On top of that, there are a list of important skills we feel every trainer should know, such as good marker systems, understanding the role of structure at home, how to muzzle train, how to prevent a dog from biting you, how to avoid getting bitten and how to approach fearful dogs.
    Dog body language will be a huge part of your education, and we will observe examples during our workshops and time together.

  • Tried and tested advice on raising puppies, with topics covered such as crate training, toilet training, socialisation phases, fear phases, environmental exposure and working with puppies as a trainer.

  • Across the span of multiple workshops we will look into the range of behaviour problems you might work with as a pet dog trainer. From the basics such as lead walking and recall, to reactivity, barking and overstimulation, all the way to more severe behaviour problems like resource guarding, human aggression and severe separation anxiety.
    Our aim is to prepare you as thoroughly as we can for the clients and range of problem behaviours you will get as a professional pet dog trainer.

  • A dog trainer's dog can be an asset to their business. Training your dog own dog proficiently can not only help teach you invaluable lessons, but they can help demonstrate your skill set, play stooge for clients' dogs and help you socialise dogs that you work with. You'll learn about useful behaviours and skills for a dog trainer's dog to have, as well as understanding the limitations of using your own dog for teaching and how to best navigate this - taking into consideration the dog you have and their individual strengths and weaknesses.

  • Together we will explore some different niches within the dog world - from obedience to gun dogs to sport dogs, differences between working dogs and pet dogs, and how to approach strong genetics in different breeds, taking into account what your client's long term goals could be.

About Jen and the business

  • Like a lot of dog trainers, I started my business after I became passionate (obsessed?) with helping my problem dog. My first dog Red was an incredibly dog-reactive Belgian Malinois, and after seeking help from trainer after trainer and not making progress, I started exploring many concepts of dog training myself. After a short period of time, I finally started making headway, and realised that through the process of working so hard to learn about fixing dog reactivity, I had fallen in love with dog training. And so the obsession began.

    Cut to 5 years later, Red is now a titled sport dog and often helps me by playing stooge dog when I’m working with reactive dogs. He can happily mix in a pack of dogs and demonstrates calm neutrality to other dogs.

    I started a dog walking business in 2019, and learned many important business lessons along the way.

    One year into starting my business just after I hired my first staff member, a global pandemic hit, and it was sink or swim for Fetch Club. I worked even harder to establish the business as something that could stick around and fortunately it paid off!

    By the end of that year we had hired two more staff members, acquired another company van and had opened up training services.

    To mark our third year of business, we hired again, had started running classes, operating Board and Trains, hired an administrative assistant and had opened an online pet shop to sell the gear we thought was really good.

    The progress continued on for the business in a similar fashion until the present day, where we have a team of 6 staff members, 4 vehicles and we operate out of 2 locations.

    I also run and direct a PSA club, train and compete with my own dogs in the obedience and protection sport.

    Every trainer has their USP, and my passion lies in creating a professional service that can deliver effective, thorough and reliable results. I adore my clients, and focusing my business around providing the best possible service that I can for them has proven to be a successful approach.

    My belief system is that if you ‘love dogs more than people’ you’re probably not best suited to training dogs, as you are required to work with both. I am as passionate about helping people grow to love training their dog as I am about the dogs themselves. I want my clients to feel how I felt when I started seeing progress with my dog 5 years ago. I want to share the things I learned to help improve others’ lives with their dogs.

    And now I want to share the things I’ve learned in business, to help other dog walkers and dog trainers succeed in theirs.

Prices

  • Basic - £350 a month

    6 month course

    1 shadow a trainer session a month
    1 shadow a walker session a month
    Access to reactive dog class
    1 group class a month
    Workshops included
    Group zooms included
    Group chat
    Reading list
    Check ins

  • Pro - £550 a month

    6 month course

    Coffee dates with Jen
    2 shadow a trainer sessions a month
    2 shadow a walker sessions a month
    Access to reactive dog class
    Access to group classes
    Access to 2 dog sport club days a month
    Workshops included
    Group zooms included
    Group chat
    Reading list
    Check ins