Hands on Practical Training

Joel Silverman began teaching his basic and advanced JSDT certification courses in January 2017. Since then he has certified more than 450 trainers. Unlike many online programs that cover material unnecessary for aspiring dog trainers, Joel emphasizes hands-on, in-person instruction. To ensure practical experience, he travels nationwide to teach his courses.

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COST

  • 3 STUDENTS - $4,500.00

  • 4 STUDENTS - $5,800.00

  • 5 STUDENTS - $7,000.00

  • 6 STUDENTS - $8,000.00

  • 7 STUDENTS - $9,000.00

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SMALL STEPS

Joel focuses on breaking each behavior into six to eight small, manageable steps so it’s easier for both the dog and the trainer. Students master step one before progressing to step two, then continue sequentially until the behavior is complete.

ROTATION

In all of Joel’s classes he rotates individuals so only one person works with a dog at a time. This lets everyone observe each handler and gives every student hands-on experience with every dog at each phase of every behavior multiple times.

SCHEDULE

Joel is flexible and will work around your team’s busy schedules when he comes to your facility for training. If you need to start earlier or later on certain days, he will adjust accordingly.

Basic Behaviors

This portion is ideal for individuals with no prior dog‑training experience, as well as for professional trainers who want to expand their skill set and enhance their existing programs.

Advanced Behaviors

One of the best parts of teaching advanced behaviors is that dogs genuinely enjoy learning. In fact, the more mentally challenging the task, the more satisfaction many dogs get from working through it.
  • The basic‑behavior portion of the course covers many of Joel’s core techniques, with a strong emphasis on using treats and positive reinforcement. Students will also explore the fascinating similarities between dogs and marine mammals such as killer whales and dolphins, and learn how many of the training principles used in marine‑mammal programs directly apply to effective dog training.
  • The behaviors taught in this course on a practical basis are:
  • Sit
  • Lie Down
  • Stay
  • Come
  • Place
  • Heel
  • Like the basic behaviors, all the advanced behaviors will broken down into small steps. The behaviors are:
  • Play dead/ Straighten up
  • Head Up/ Head Down
  • Crawl
  • Bow
  • Sit Up
  • Retrieve
  • "Out"
  • Wave
  • Distance and Control