When it comes to dog training, there are lots of terms that go along with it. Lingo and jargon that professionals throw around, which can cause a layperson's head to start to spin! In this episode, we will break down what exactly is meant when someone is called an "instructor" as opposed to a "trainer", whether these terms are truly interchangeable...and what being either of them should entail. 

This discussion is designed to be helpful for those individuals contemplating entering into the professional dog training realm...while also ensuring current professionals are approaching their roles with the ideal perspective.

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Want to learn more about Dog Sport University? Check out our website and look over our Dog Sport Online Courses. You may also be interested in our informative webinars as well as the Dog Sport University blog. 

Have you heard about Scent Work and want to delve deeper into that activity? Perfect, we have just the thing! Check out our sister online dog training platform, Scent Work University where you will find courses and webinars suited for both those dog owners who simply want to have fun, and those who are seriously competing with their dogs.

Maybe you're looking to help your puppy or dog in the manners department. Then your need to check out Family Dog University where we provide a variety of programs to help your dog be the best canine family companion they can be!

PODCAST TRANSCRIPT

Welcome to the All About Dog Sports and Dog Training Podcast. In this podcast, we talk about all things dog training. Whether it be dog training tips, insights of what your instructor or a trial official may be going through, why you may want to consider getting involved in dog sports, and much more. In this episode, we're gonna be talking about what the difference is between an instructor and a trainer and if there's any difference between them at all. Before we start diving into the podcast, let just do a very quick introduction of myself. My name is Dianna Santos. I'm the owner and lead instructor for both Dog Sport University and Scent Work University. These are online dog training platforms that are designed to provide high quality instruction as well as flexibility and convenience so that you can receive the dog training assistance that you need no matter where you're located. So without further ado, let's dive into the podcast.

In this episode, I wanted to dive into what the difference is between being an instructor or being a dog trainer and whether or not there really is a difference. And also to really help cement what I think those roles really entail. So just as a quick caveat, I am a professional dog trainer as well as an instructor. I have been for a number of years. I've worked specifically within the realm of scent work since 2011. But I've also specialized in working with reactive dogs, aggressive dogs, fearful dogs. I've taught a variety of different group dog training classes. I've spoken at seminars, I've worked with competition organizations, I've provided private lessons, day training programs, I've managed dog training facilities. I've done a little bit of everything.

But one of the things that I wanted to really touch upon in this podcast was for those individuals who are interested in becoming a professional in the dog training industry. I think it's helpful for us to understand what it is that that role actually entails. And to really underscore the skills that you need as an individual and what each of those roles are. And in my opinion, an instructor and a trainer are actually two different things. And there are very few people who actually are good at doing both. That's basically what this podcast is going to be all about. So I hope you have a better understanding of what it is that you would need in order to be successful in either of those roles.

So in my opinion, and again, I do not claim to be the end-all and be-all about all things dog training, dog sports, scent work,