MSAR Service Dogs

 

​Level 1: Accredited Service Dog Handler Certificate Program

Cost:  $5,000 (Monthly Payments Available Upon Request)

Time: 10 months

Prerequisite: None

The Accredited Service Dog Handler Certificate Course is a comprehensive 10-month program designed for individuals seeking to train their own service dogs. This program provides a thorough understanding of service dogs, including definitions and examples, and covers essential topics such as working dog tools, service dog legislation, and obedience training at levels 1 and 2. Students will receive in-depth instruction in public access test and training, certification test and training, service dog care, and task training related to specific disabilities. Additionally, the course addresses important aspects of living with a service dog and provides guidance on managing interactions between dogs and children. Combining both classroom and practical public access instruction, this program is designed to equip participants and their dogs with the skills and knowledge necessary to pass the 3 Day MSAR Service Dog Certification Test.

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Level 2: Accredited Dog Trainer Certificate Program

Cost: $8,000 ($5,000 when purchased in conjunction with Level 3 – Accredited Service Dog Trainer Diploma Program) Monthly Payments Available Upon Request

Time: Minimum: 2 months Maximum: 1 year

Prerequisite: None

The Accredited Dog Trainer Certificate Program is an extensive course designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in canine training and care. The program covers a wide range of topics, including the senses of dogs, learning theories such as classical and operant conditioning, and strategies for preventing and treating common behavior problems. Students will learn to develop behavior modification plans, understand the functions of the American Kennel Club, and make informed breed selections. The curriculum includes various types of canine training, agility training, and the use of dog training equipment, along with the importance of play and recreational activities for dogs. Additionally, students will gain insights into canine health, nutrition, first-aid procedures, and the business aspects of running a dog training enterprise. The program culminates in a four-week practicum in Winnipeg, MB, providing hands-on experience in real-world scenarios, kennel operations, and business planning. Graduates will be Accredited Dog Trainers capable of addressing a variety of canine behavioral and health issues.

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Level 3: Accredited Service Dog Trainer Diploma Program

Cost: $28,000 Monthly Payments Available Upon Request

Time: Minimum: 1 year Maximum: 2 years

Prerequisite: Level 2

The Accredited Service Dog Trainer Program offers an extensive curriculum designed to equip students with the expertise needed to train service dogs proficiently. The program encompasses a variety of critical topics such as canine reactive behavior, anxiety, first aid, and nutrition. Students will gain a deep understanding of how a dog's brain responds to stress and aggression and learn essential desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques. The curriculum also covers the body language of fear and strategies to manage canine anxiety. Furthermore, students will learn vital first-aid procedures, including CPR, wound dressing, and handling high-trauma incidents, ensuring they can provide comprehensive care in emergency situations. In addition to health and behavior, the program covers practical aspects such as pet grooming, business development, and kennel operations. Students will learn to build and maintain a dog training business, leverage social media for marketing, and ensure the well-being of dogs in various settings. Specialized modules focus on training service dogs for specific needs such as PTSD, autism, mobility, and detection, covering breed selection, puppy imprinting, and task training. The program culminates in an eight-week practicum in Winnipeg, MB, where students apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, honing their skills in a hands-on environment. Graduates will emerge as Accredited Service Dog Trainers, fully prepared to contribute to the service dog training industry.

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*Level 4-2 and 4-3 are available by invitation only after Level 1-3 studies and practicums have been completed.

 

Level 4-1: Accredited Search & Rescue / Recovery Dog Trainer & Handler Diploma Program

Cost: $10,000 Monthly Payments Available Upon Request

Time: 1 year

Prerequisite: Level 1, 2 and 3

The Accredited Search & Rescue / Recovery Dog Trainer & Handler Diploma Program is an extensive training program designed for individuals aspiring to excel in the specialized field of search and rescue (SAR) and recovery dog training. The program begins with foundational courses such as the Search Dog Handler class, which covers the essentials of canine scent work, tracking, item search, people search, and cadaver detection. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of scenting and cognition, canine coaching, how scent behaves, and the comprehensive process of training a dog to perform search and rescue tasks. This program also includes an introduction to SAR dogs, emphasizing breed selection, workability assessment, and the fundamental principles of raising and maintaining a working SAR puppy. The curriculum further includes a Tactical First Aid course, equipping students with critical skills in emergency medical care, injury assessment, and life-saving techniques essential for both human and canine first responders. Advanced training modules in Search and Rescue K9 operations, Ground SAR, incident command, and cadaver K9 recovery provide hands-on experience in real-world scenarios. The program culminates in a comprehensive four-week practicum in Winnipeg, MB, where students apply their knowledge in practical settings, ensuring they are well-prepared for the demands of the field. With 790 hours of rigorous training, graduates of this program will be proficient in all aspects of SAR and recovery dog training, ready to serve in various emergency and recovery operations.

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Level 4-2: Accredited Working Dog Trainer & Handler Diploma Program

Cost: $10,000 (Monthly Payments Available Upon Request)

Time: 1 year

Prerequisite: Level 1, 2 and 3

Due to the sensitive nature of the tasks taught in the Working Dog program, this program is available by invitation only. The Accredited Working Dog Trainer & Handler Diploma Program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare students for careers in training and handling working dogs. The program begins with an introduction to working dogs, covering breed selection, workability assessment, and the fundamentals of puppy raising. Students will learn about various K9 jobs, protection commands, and off-duty maintenance. The curriculum includes an extensive K9 Working Dog Handler Care Manual, which provides detailed instruction on canine tactical combat casualty care, non-tactical emergency care, routine preventive medical care, and vital first-aid tasks. Additional courses cover attack and protection training, narcotics and explosives detection, and kennel operations for working dogs, ensuring students are well-versed in the health, environment, and management of working dogs. Students will also gain specialized skills in tracking and tactical tracking, learning equipment use, scent detection, and various tracking techniques for military, border patrol, and urban settings. The program emphasizes practical application with a four-week practicum in Winnipeg, MB, providing hands-on experience in real-world scenarios. This practicum includes comprehensive training in care, handling, and operational procedures, preparing graduates to manage the unique challenges of working dog training and handling. With 410 hours of classroom instruction and practical training, graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to excel in the field of working dog training and care.

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Level 4-3: Accredited Anti-Poaching Trainer & Handler Diploma Program

Cost: $10,000 (Monthly Payments Available Upon Request)

Time: 1 year

Prerequisite: Level 1, 2 and 3

Due to the sensitive nature of the tasks taught in the Anti-Poaching program, this program is available by invitation only. The Accredited Anti-Poaching Trainer & Handler Diploma Program is an intensive and comprehensive program designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to eƯectively combat wildlife poaching. The curriculum covers essential topics such as K9 Tactical Emergency Casualty Care, where students learn to manage and minimize casualties, maintain tactical superiority, and handle injured K9 teams under various threats. This section also emphasizes the importance of team safety, immediate life-threatening hemorrhage treatment, and maintaining public safety. Students will also delve into the MSAR K9 Handler Training Manual African Operations, which includes anti-poaching tracking, scat detection, basic dog care, emergency medical care, obedience training, and understanding canine behavior. This module prepares students to be effective pack leaders and handle the challenges of working in diverse and demanding environments. The program also includes a comprehensive Anti-Poaching Course, where students learn to train anti-poaching rangers, understand the principles of conservation and ecology, and tackle criminal threats to natural resources. This section covers everything from pre-training and selection to fieldcraft, survival skills, weapon handling, and operational enforcement skills. Students will also gain knowledge in setting up an anti-poaching program, including governance, staffing, facilities, surveillance technologies, and ranger training. The final component of the program is a four-week practicum in a mission-specific area or Winnipeg, MB, where students apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, ensuring they are well-prepared to lead and operate in the field of anti-poaching. With 420 hours of rigorous training, graduates of this program will be proficient in all aspects of anti-poaching operations, ready to make a significant impact in protecting wildlife.

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To receive the degree in Canine Behaviour and Accredited Master Dog Trainer certificate and designation from MSAR, participants must successfully complete these academic programs and their corresponding practicums: Level 1 - Accredited Service Dog Handler Certificate Program, Level 2 - Accredited Dog Trainer Certificate Program, and Level 3 - Accredited Service Dog Trainer Diploma Program and any one of the following: Level 4-1 - Accredited Working Dog Trainer & Handler Diploma Program, Level 4-2 - Accredited Working Dog Trainer & Handler Diploma Program, or Level 4-3 - Accredited Anti-Poaching Trainer & Handler Diploma Program.

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Please note that due to the sensitive nature of skills taught in the Working Dog and Anti-Poaching programs, these courses are available by invitation only once Level 1, 2, and 3 have been successfully completed. Additionally, participants must successfully train: 4 x service dogs, and 4 x Level 4 working dogs