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Congratulations to Our New ABC Certified Dog Trainers, Veterinary Assistants, Pet Groomers, Cat Trainers, Aquarium Maintenance Professionals and Zookeeping Assistants!

October 25, 2021 to May 13, 2022

ABC Honor Roll Graduates

ABC Graduates

After two years of unconventional living, which included being unable to participate in certain hobbies that had previously been part of our daily schedules, we are all slowly readjusting to a “new normal.” Dogs, especially those three years or younger, have spent a major chunk of their lives with the same limited group of people. Now, as pet parents return to the office, and larger in-person events regain popularity, it is important to train dogs to remain occupied at home and to behave well around people they don’t know. Here are a few useful tips to share with your clients regarding these goals:

Pet parents who have become used to working from home and feel uncomfortable leaving their pup to return to the office may gain some peace of mind by finding a way to entertain canine companions who are home alone during the day. Unique gadgets like treat dispensers, some of which are equipped with two-way voice and video, make it possible to stimulate and connect with pets throughout the day to make it easier for them to be alone. At less than 3 calories per treat, Charlee Bear’s Original Crunch and Grain Free Crunch lines are an ideal option for filling the treat dispenser and frequently rewarding pups in general.

Having a socialized pup who is well behaved around strangers and other dogs is a huge goal for most clients, but they must be willing to put the work in to achieve it. One of the easiest ways for your client to acclimate their pup to the outside world is to constantly change their walk route. Even if it’s just once a week, taking a dog to a new path or different neighborhood allows them to be exposed to different people, pets and environments.

Some dogs are intrigued by the littlest things when they’re out for a walk. That’s why loose-leash training is one of Animal Behavior College’s several basic obedience dog training cues. Every pet learns at their own pace and has their own motivations, making it crucial for your clients to be patient, yet alert, when training their pup to stay cool and collected during walks. Using a harness that is the correct size and a leash that is comfortable for client and pup are easy ways to set their canine companion up for success. Encourage your clients to take it one step at a time, learning and growing with their pup along the way. But most importantly, remember that consistency is key!

Offering group training to your clients is also a great way for them to expose their pets to other dogs, people and distractions. No matter where your clients’ pups are at in the obedience process, they will surely benefit from the lessons taught during classes like these.

Practice makes perfect, and no matter the training scenario, pups deserve consistent rewards for good behavior. Charlee Bear’s Original Crunch and Grain Free Crunch treats are Pocket Perfect^â— so clients can keep a handful in their pocket without worrying about crumbs, odors or stains.

Our pets are our best friends, and we love having them join us in the hobbies and activities we enjoy most. The tips above will empower your clients to help their pups adapt to a new and improved post-pandemic lifestyle. Their pups will gradually become more comfortable around strangers, making it easy for clients to determine whether they should bring their dog to a family member’s sports game, a local fair or even the dog park. Most importantly, these exercises will enhance the bond that your client and their dog already share, strengthening trust and promoting an even deeper connection.

Every groomer should look for three things in a manufacturer’s line of grooming tools: multiple sizes, versatility and durability. Finding one line that offers all three at less than the cost of a small fortune is not always easy. However, the Safari line of grooming tools by Coastal Pet Products, Inc. delivers on these three essentials at prices that don’t break the bank.

Here are the three most important things professional groomers should know about Safari grooming tools:

The Right Size

When selecting a line of grooming tools, it’s important to have a variety of sizes to choose from for each type of brush. You don’t use the same size slicker brush on a Chihuahua as you do on an Irish Setter. So, unless you only plan to groom small dogs or long-haired dogs, you need to have a selection of tools in a variety of sizes in your grooming kit.

Size is also important when it comes to fitting a brush or comb to your hand. A large brush may be cumbersome for someone with a small hand. Similarly, a too-small brush may be uncomfortable for someone with large hands. Safari’s brushes come in a variety of sizes. For instance, the Safari Curved Firm Slicker Brush for Long Hair comes in medium and large; while the Soft Slicker Brush is offered in small, medium and large. The Shed Magic De-Shedding Tool has a model for dogs with short to medium hair and one for dogs with medium to long hair. Each model is available in small, medium and large. Additionally, each Safari grooming tool has a specially-designed ergonomic grip to make long hours of grooming sessions easier on your hands.

Versatility

If you plan to groom different breeds of dogs with different coat types, you need an array of tools to cover all your bases. The Safari lineup of grooming tools fills all your basic needs and provides specialty items, such as shedding blades for curly-haired dogs and de-matting tools for long-haired dogs.

Safari offers up 17 choices of brushes, one of the most popular being a bristle and pin combo brush that’s great for all dog breeds and coat types. There are even brush styles, including a pin and bristle combo, with bamboo handles for eco-conscious groomers looking for more sustainable options. In addition, the company’s product line includes shedding blades, de-matting and shedding combs, undercoat rakes, and grooming mitts and gloves.

Every professional groomer needs a good set of nail trimmers in their kit as well, and Safari has five styles to choose from, including scissor- and guillotine-style nail trimmers and two styles of nail files.

Durability

Unlike home groomers, professional groomers use their tools all the time. So, having a kit of brushes, nail clippers, cutting shears and more that can withstand all-day use every day is important. The last thing professional groomers need are tools that fall apart after just a few uses. Most of the Safari lineup of brushes, nail trimmers and combs are crafted with durable hard plastic that stands the test of time and high-quality stainless steel that holds its sharp edge for a clean cut every time for years to come.

pawTree LLC offers a full line of premium-quality dog and cat food, treats, supplements, pet food seasonings and more made with ingredients that fuel pets’ bodies with the nutrients needed to promote optimal health and vitality. These products are available online for delivery to your doorstep and also through nearly 2,000 independent sales representatives in all 50 states.

Determined to find a way to reciprocate the unconditional love our pets give us each day, founder Roger Morgan, who has nearly two decades of CEO experience in the pet industry, collaborated with a team of veterinarians and an expert in animal nutrition to develop the company’s product line. pawTree’s nutritionally-dense foods are rich in animal proteins and antioxidants, and the line includes products formulated to address a wide variety of health issues for cats and dogs, including anxiety, bladder health, stiff joints, digestive issues, food allergies and dry skin.

Interested in purchasing products or becoming a distributor of pawTree products to supplement your existing pet business? Learn more at www.pawtree.com or call 855-940-5234.

By: Shannon Tupes, Andis Global Educator

Clipper blades play an integral part in each workday for the professional pet stylist. Deciding which blade to use in each situation depends on multiple factors: the type of coat; the condition of the coat; and the type of trim the client has requested for their dog. It is also helpful to first evaluate the bone and muscle structure of the dog to determine whether there are structural faults that need to be corrected by creating the appearance of more angulation in the cut of the coat. Choosing the right blade and attachment comb(s) for each job is also essential to meeting the client’s expectations and making sure every dog looks their best.

Ceramic vs. Steel Cutting Blades

Many professional groomers invest in ceramic and steel blades to ensure they have the right tools for all coat types. Both types of blades offer specific advantages. Ceramic blades stay sharper longer and do not rust. They also stay up to 75 percent cooler during use than steel blades. (A cooler cutting blade is especially helpful on grooms that take more time, such as when grooming larger dogs.) Steel blades are generally less expensive, more durable and easier to maintain, overall. In the end, most groomers develop a personal preference for one type or the other.

Blade Lengths

Clipper blades are available in a variety of different lengths and tooth patterns to achieve different trim styles and coat lengths. They are differentiated by blade numbers; blades with higher numbers actually cut the coat shorter, and blades with lower numbers leave the coat longer. For example, a #10 blade clips the coat shorter (to 1/16 of an inch); whereas, a #4 blade leaves the coat longer at 3/8 of an inch. A wide range of available clipper blades makes coat lengths from 1/125 of an inch to ¾ of an inch achievable: The Andis #50SS, used mainly by master groomers and veterinarians, clips the coat to 1/125 of an inch in length. The Andis UltraEdge HT ¾-inch detachable blade leaves the coat at a length of ¾ of an inch, providing the longest blade cut available. HT stands for high taper, which means the blade is ideal for blending different lengths of coat and leaves the coat longer than a standard blade.

Attachment Combs

Attachment combs can only be used on detachable blade clippers with #10, #15 or #30 blades (unless otherwise specified on the product package). Andis offers several attachment comb options, like the stainless steel, spring-loaded sets, which make it easy to add that “I just stepped out of the show ring” look to your everyday salon styles. These combs glide through a properly prepped coat and give a beautiful finish. Using attachment combs helps ensure that you groom safely—the risk of clipper burn is greatly decreased when you use combs—and achieve a smooth and even finish in less time than you would using a blade and shears for finish styling.

Clipping With or Against the Grain

Traditionally, groomers clip with the grain of the coat. Clipping against the grain leaves the coat up to two blade lengths shorter than clipping with the grain. However, clipping against the grain can be effective at eliminating clipper track marks. Additionally, if you want to show off angulation, create the look of greater angulation, or just add some pizzazz to a trim, clipping against the grain in key areas is a quick and easy way to do so. Whether you are clipping with or against the grain, always follow the natural lay of the coat—clip exactly with or exactly against the growth of the coat.

Maintaining Your Blades

Properly cleaning and lubricating your blades prolongs the life of your blades and clipper and keeps your blades cutting smoothly. To clean your blades, first remove any debris with a soft nylon bristle brush. Next, pour a capful of Andis Blade Care Plus into a shallow bowl, and with your clipper running, dip just the teeth of the blade into the solution for 8 to 10 seconds. Then, wipe with a clean cloth. This de-gunks the blade and helps keep it lubricated, disinfected, deodorized and rust-free. After cleaning, it is important to oil your blades. To optimize performance, use the five-point oiling system: With your clipper blade pointing down, apply three drops of Andis Clipper Blade Oil across the blade’s teeth and one drop at each back rail; let the clipper run for 10 seconds to help distribute oil throughout the blade. Wipe away any excess with a clean cloth. Cleaning and oiling your blades regularly extends the life of your blades. When a blade starts to drag and tug at the coat, it is time to call Andis, and send your blades in to be sharpened.

For more information, visit andis.com today.

By Animal Behavior College

ABC is very proud of our graduates and loves to hear stories about your successes. Our students have moved on to have successful careers working for other companies as well as many becoming their own boss and starting their own business.  However, the endless opportunities haven’t stopped there.  Over the years, we have had graduates go on to start radio shows and podcasts about dog training. Still, others have had articles published in newspapers, magazines, and blogs.

We have had grooming graduates go on to win grooming awards and also publish grooming articles. Some of our graduates have appeared on TV and some work with animals for motion pictures. In addition, ABC graduates have started animal rescues, and thousands have volunteered at animal shelters and rescues across North America. To put this another way, ABC knows that many of our graduates have taken what they learned at ABC and built on that foundation as their paths led them in a variety of directions.

It is because the pet industry has so many options and ways to specialize that we want to make all alumni aware of some of our lesser-known courses and offer a significant discount to any alumni wishing to enroll in one of these programs.

The first one is ABC’s Cat Training Program (CTP).

The CTP is an 11-stage course and covers the following topics:

• Basic Overview of Cats: Covers feline characteristics, cat breeds, coat types, and cat socialization and development periods.
• Learning Theories and the Feline Mind: Introduces you to cat psychology, behavior, and communication.
• Cat Training Tools, Behavior Modification Products & Essential Cat Care Items: Describes various cat training tools and explains cat care essentials.
• Preventing Unwanted Behavior: Explains why and how prevention can steer kittens away from unwanted behavior.
• Basic Cat Training: This teaches you training cues to get a cat to sit, down, and off to name a few.
• Cat Behavior Management and Treatment: Explains why cats engage in certain behaviors, such as cat spraying, and teaches you how to manage them.
• Cat Nutrition and Basic Care: Provides you with detailed knowledge on cat care, including health and grooming.
• Safety Concerns, Techniques & Practices: Instructs you on proper cat safety protocols, such as cat-proofing a home and handling reactive cats.
• Business Building: Covers business building tips to help you start a cat training business upon graduation.
• Shelter Experience & Pet First Aid and CPR Certification: This allows you to spend time in an animal facility and observe cat behavior as a volunteer.
• Final Exam & Graduation

Who should take this?   

Any graduate who loves cats wants to help them and the people who love them. This includes groomers, dog trainers, and veterinary assistants.

Why should I consider taking this?  

Dog trainers can add a vital skill set to their repertoire, making them more marketable and more easily able to establish an online presence and network. Simply put, there are a great many dog training experts out there but far fewer cat behavior specialists. So becoming one might be an intelligent business call, not to mention that the ability to train cats means you can widen your net to help even more animals in need.

Dog groomers who understand cat behavior can offer salons the chance to accept more cats, a relatively untapped market.

Veterinary assistants who understand cat behavior can offer valuable expertise to their hospitals.

Dog training, pet grooming, and veterinary assisting are competitive fields, and becoming a cat trainer might help you stand out in getting hired, promoted, etc.

ABC feels very strongly about supporting our alumni and assisting them in being the best they can be. Toward that end, all Alumni enrolling in the CTP between May 31st, 2022, and December 31st, 2022, may take this course for $997.50. This is a discount of 50% 

If you are interested in taking advantage of this special offer for our alumni only, just drop an email to our Director of Admissions at: Candace@animalbehaviorcollege.com  She will make sure you get taken care of immediately as one of our valued alum.  For more information about the CTP, visit: https://v2.animalbehaviorcollege.com/cat-training/

Next, let’s talk about our Aquatics Maintenance Program (AMP).

This course is designed for fish hobbyists who want to take their interest and passion to the next level. Can you make a living designing and maintaining aquatic environments? Many people do. Think of all the hotels and businesses that have beautiful aquariums. Who do you think designs them and helps maintain them? This skill set isn’t typical business knowledge, which means it’s a specialty, which means it is usually outsourced to a trained professional. Also outsourced is the maintenance (and sometimes) the design of advanced, high-end aquariums for high-net-worth individuals.

Still, others don’t wish to design aquariums professionally but absolutely love maintaining them and simply can’t learn enough about this fascinating topic so they can more effectively enjoy their favorite hobby.

The AMP is a 10-stage program that covers the following topics:  

• Aquarium Maintenance Basics: Introduces you to topics such as aquarium chemistry and the nitrogen cycle, principles of animal husbandry, routine aquarium maintenance requirements, troubleshooting and water parameter guidelines.
• Aquarium Setup Basics: This stage covers how to meet clients’ needs and expectations as well as how to build a system, aquarium sourcing, tank sizing, aquarium installation, how to establish an aquarium and adding livestock.
• Freshwater Aquariums: This stage discusses all types of specialty freshwater aquarium setup and husbandry requirements, with a focus on the following topics: requirements for a fish-centric display setup, breakdown of freshwater fish types, “monster” fish systems, cichlid systems, tropical fish systems and troubleshooting freshwater fish tanks. You will also learn about planted fish tank layouts, aquascaping, hybrid paludarium setups, fish tank design, freshwater fish care and husbandry.
• Saltwater Aquariums: Topics include fish-only tank design, how to setup a saltwater aquarium, understanding reef aquariums, saltwater species compatibility basics, coral care requirements, troubleshooting saltwater tanks and husbandry considerations.
• Pond Basics: Topics include the basics of pond care, pond maintenance procedures and schedule, pond equipment, long-term pond maintenance, troubleshooting, species information and pond fish care.
• Species Guides and Sourcing: This stage will provide in-depth care requirements and compatibility information for a variety of freshwater and saltwater species. Topics include freshwater species guide, saltwater species guide, sourcing livestock, husbandry requirements, compatibility information, healthcare, acclimation, feeding, and long-term care. You will also learn how to establish a breeding/reproduction fish tank setup for customer sales.
• Equipment Maintenance: You will become familiar with equipment purchasing considerations, evaluating equipment for client needs, and long-term servicing of aquarium equipment. This stage also covers setting up and maintaining aquarium equipment, scheduling and performing long-term aquarium equipment maintenance and basic aquarium service equipment needs.
• Commercial Aquariums: Learn how to scale an operation and begin maintaining large and more elaborate systems for commercial clients. Topics include advantages of commercial clientele, commercial aquariums as advertisements, considerations of building larger commercial aquarium setups and aquarium maintenance requirements and scheduling.
• Business Building: Covers how to take what you have learned and apply it to building your own business.
• Final Exam and Graduation

 Who should take this?   

Any alumni who love designing or maintaining aquariums and are looking to learn more or start a career designing and maintaining aquariums.

Why should I consider taking this?  

Because you love keeping fish or designing aquariums and want to learn more. Because you are looking at other business opportunities, and this one intrigues you.

ABC feels very strongly about supporting our alumni and assisting them in being the best they can be. Toward that end, all Alumni enrolling in the AMP between May 31st, 2022, and December 31st, 2022, may take this course for $997.50. This is a discount of 50%

If you are interested in taking advantage of this special offer for our alumni only, just drop an email to our Director of Admissions at: Candace@animalbehaviorcollege.com  She will make sure you get taken care of immediately as one of our valued alum.  For more information about the AMP, visit: https://v2.animalbehaviorcollege.com/aquarium-maintenance/

Finally, let’s talk about what many of us at ABC consider our most amazing new program. That’s not quite right. Let me put this another way. When ABC management and staff look at our programs, the reactions are usually something like this; Everyone likes the courses and believes they can help those who take them. Some folks at ABC are interested enough in a specific program that they want to take it themselves, but not everyone. Do all the dog trainer people wish to take AMP or the CTP? Nope. Many do, but not everyone. This is true of our groomer and veterinary graduates as well. Yet, everyone who heard about our Zookeeper Assistant Program (ZAP), and I mean every single person, had the same reaction. “Oh! That’s so amazing! I want to take this!” “Do you want to learn to be a zookeeper assistant?” we asked. “No, but I have always loved and been interested in wild (exotic) animals, and this would be a great program to take even if just for fun and learning about these amazing animals!”

The ZAP is a 10-stage program that covers the following topics:

• Introduction to Zoos and Zookeeping: Students will learn about zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, and accreditation. This stage also covers zoo regulations, zookeeper responsibilities and what working at a zoo is like.
• Exotic Animal Housing and Exhibits: Information all about housing animals at the zoo including how to build an animal exhibit including horticulture, furnishings, substrate, guest and animal safety, pest control and enclosure maintenance.
• Animal Health: Students will learn all about exotic animal health including animal nutrition and diet, animal restraint and capture, the warning signs of illness or stress, and all about routine medical care and treatments for exotic animals in the zoo.
• Zoo Conservation and Breeding Programs: Learn how zoo employees and volunteers make a difference in the world of animal conservation. This stage covers Species Survival Plans, animal reproduction, Studbooks and population management, animal re-introduction programs and research.
• Exotic Animal Behavior, Enrichment and Training: Explore the basics of training philosophy including classical and operant conditioning, as well as, how to solve behavior problems. This stage also covers the natural behaviors of zoo animals along with different types of enrichment such as food-based, physical, sensory, and social, for a myriad of different species.
• Daily Zookeeping Routines and Husbandry: This stage reviews the different ways zoos and wildlife sanctuaries keep track of their animal inhabitants.
• Zookeeping Safety: Subjects in this stage include legal requirements, work hazards, zoonotic disease prevention, zookeeper assistant safety, guest safety, animal safety, emergency response and evacuation plans for both guests and animals.
• Zoo Visitor Education and Relations: You will learn how to educate different audiences that visit the zoo, including children and adults. Emotional, intellectual, and behavioral education techniques, as well as community outreach is also covered.
• Building your Zookeeper Assistant Career: Learn about the next steps in your zookeeping assistant education and how to find work at a zoo or wildlife sanctuary.
• Final Exam and Graduation

Who should take this?   

Any alumni with a passion for exotic animals or wildlife conservation and anyone interested in getting involved in this part of the animal industry.

Why should I consider taking this?  

Because you spend more time watching wild animal shows than you do with your family. Because you have a deep interest and passion in this topic and want to learn more. Because you have a genuine desire to work in a zoo or wild animal rescue environment and would like a foundational understanding of exotic animals and zookeeping in general.

ABC feels very strongly about supporting our alumni and assisting them in being the best they can be. Toward that end, all Alumni enrolling in the ZAP between May 31st, 2022, and December 31st, 2022, may take this course for $997.50. This is a discount of 50%

 If you are interested in taking advantage of this special offer for our alumni only, just drop an email to our Director of Admissions at: Candace@animalbehaviorcollege.com  She will make sure you get taken care of immediately as one of our valued alum.  For more information about the ZAP, visit:  https://v2.animalbehaviorcollege.com/zookeeper-assistant/

By Steve Appelbaum, ABC President & CEO

Hello everyone. I hope all reading this are healthy and happy as we move into the summer. Here is what’s going on at ABC.

New Programs. 

Service Dog: Our service dog program continues to move forward. We have outstanding writers and editors working on this course.  We are incredibly excited about its progress and how much this program will help people who want to make their dreams of working with and/or training service dogs a reality. We will announce launch dates when we get further along—still shooting for Q4 2022.

International Programs: Our international research has narrowed the countries down to three. We are considering the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany as of this date. This doesn’t mean that we won’t consider other markets, just that we will start by selecting one nation for our first international launch and then move on from there. The question still unanswered is which of the above three countries will be the first place outside North America in which we export our programs? Stay tuned.

Current programs.

 Short Term Programs. 

Remember that all Alumni get a 33% discount on any of our STPs. Here is our current list of available programs:

• Training Shelter Dogs
• The Art of Selling and Teaching Private Lessons
• Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
• Pet Nutrition and Diet
• Pet Massage
• Doggie Daycare
• Pet Fostering

Classroom.  

Our previous classroom program class graduated on March 14^th, 2022. This class had the first Marine graduate since we started offering the program in 2010. Most of our students have either been Army, Navy, or Airforce. We hope that more Marines and students from all branches of our Armed Forces who are transitioning back into civilian life continue to attend our school.  We are honored that so many elect to do so. I love speaking with the students in all these classes, and I was particularly impressed with this group. I have been in the pet industry for a long time, and I have a pretty good sense of who is ready and most likely to succeed after speaking with them. In this class, everyone I spoke with was impressive, and I look forward to hearing great stories about their success as time goes by.

Our next classroom program commenced on April 18^th, 2022, and I have already received positive reports about this group. I am looking forward to meeting them and for our classroom program to continue to grow.

Toward that end, we are spending time and efforts marketing this program to civilians as well. The truth is that this course was always designed to be taken by anyone wanting a more traditional classroom experience. It became popular with military veterans because the Veterans Administration approved the program. If any alumni refer a student who takes our classroom program, we will pay a finder’s fee of several hundred dollars.

Here is more information about this program.

https://v2.animalbehaviorcollege.com/gi-bill-dog-trainers/

https://v2.animalbehaviorcollege.com/dog-training-los-angeles/

That’s all for now, and thanks for reading!