Spain’s Most Famous Canine Trainers

Canine handlers have had a great boom in recent times due to their proven techniques capable of improving the behavior of animals, making them happier and also their owners. We’ve heard a lot about trainers from America or other countries, but today we’re going to talk about some Spanish trainers.

Well, in Spain there are trainers, and very good ones, who are also gaining fame and a good reputation. Today we are going to know a little more about them. But first, let’s get to the beginning of the trainers story.

Where did the trainers come from

This craft arose when scientists realized the olfactory sensitivity of dogs and thought that they could be useful as “police dogs”. Since ancient times, these animals have been used to track people, drugs or other things.

It was necessary to teach these dogs to obey orders, in the same way that hunting dogs already did. So, people who used different methods to teach these dogs began to be recruited. Starting with basic things like sitting, standing, lying down or being quiet. Soon they would teach the animals more complicated things.

It was recognized that the best way to motivate an animal would be through prizes when it did something right. And it worked. Thus, being a trainer has become a profession that is booming.

Afterwards, specialists in the field realized that there were specific breeds of dogs, which, if taught correctly by trainers, could help the blind, the terminally ill and even some could participate in therapies. And in Spain? Have handlers achieved this goal with a dog? Yes.

Famous trainers in Spain

• Carlos Rodriguez. From Madrid and veterinarian, Carlos has a wide knowledge of dog and cat education. His appearances on television and his participation in Onda Zero, and in the program he directs called “As dogs and cats” have made him one of the best-known trainers in Spain. He published two books: “The charmer of cats” and “Me and other animals”.

• Santiago Vidal. After many years of experience, Santi Vidal has become one of the references in Spain in the field of dressage. In addition to his experience, Santi advocates training with empathy and positive reinforcement in animals. He works in Mais que Latido,  sharing training techniques for those who want to join the trainers’ club.
• Cease Millán. It’s okay, he’s not Spanish. Cessar is Mexican and raised in the United States, but he is one of the most famous trainers in Spain, and around the world! We could call him a prodigy trainer, as everything he learned was the result of meticulous observation of his family’s dogs.

He became famous for his program broadcast in over eighty countries: The Dog Charmer. The program has earned him worldwide fame, making it possible for him to write seven blockbusters, as well as set up his own canine rehabilitation center.

Would you like to be among the dog handlers?

After reading this article have you considered becoming a trainer? Would you like to know what is needed for this and where to start?

In Spain, you do not need an official degree or certification that will credit you as a trainer. However, there are 2 certificates of professionalization:

• Canine instruction in security operations and civil protection.
• Basic training and canine instruction.

These certificates are used to credit your knowledge acquired on the subject, either through experience gained developing a job of this type or through specialized courses. In both cases, if you obtain a certificate of professionalization, you can join the trainers’ club.

In Brazil the profession has not yet been regulated, but there are many places where you can take courses that will help you gain knowledge and a certification. The people in charge of these courses will inform you about the necessary documents and how many hours you will have to attend to obtain a certificate of course completion, while waiting for the profession to be regulated.

Image courtesy of stuhillphotography.