The Family Pupz Mentorship Program
Start Your Dog Training Career With Real Experience Behind You
We'll walk alongside you from your very first shadow session all the way to your first day as a licensed, paid member of the Family Pupz team.
I'm Interested — Let's TalkWhat You'll Gain
More Than Observation. A Real Head Start.
Most aspiring trainers finish their certification with textbook knowledge and zero field time. This program changes that. You'll enter your licensing education having already seen how professional training actually works — from the first greeting at the door to the follow-up after a session.
Real-World Experience
Shadow actual client sessions across puppy training, adult dog training, and our signature Doggy Doula® service — before you're ever expected to perform.
Expert Mentorship
Learn directly from our founder and head trainer. Not just the techniques — but the reasoning, the instincts, and the judgment that take years to develop on your own.
Structured Learning Goals
Each session has a focus. You're not just watching — you're developing a professional eye for body language, client communication, and training methodology.
Post-Session Debriefs
After every visit, we sit down and break it all down together — what happened, why we made the decisions we did, and what to watch for next time.
Licensing Guidance
We'll help you identify the right certification pathway for your goals — whether that's CCPDT, KPA, or another recognized credential — and support you along the way.
A Path to the Team
Mentees who complete the program and earn their license are first in line to interview for a paid trainer position at Family Pupz. We invest in people we've trained alongside.
How Shadowing Works
A Purposeful Look Behind the Scenes
Shadowing at Family Pupz isn't passive. Every session is intentional — and every debrief is where the real learning happens.
You're an Observer First
During the shadowing phase, your role is to watch and absorb — not to handle dogs, coach clients, or step in. This protects the client relationship, the dogs, and your own learning. There's tremendous value in simply paying close attention without the pressure of performing.
You'll See a Range of Sessions
We'll expose you to the full breadth of what we do — energetic puppies, reactive adults, anxious rescues, and families preparing for a new baby. Every dog and every family teaches you something different.
Every Session Has a Debrief
After each visit, we'll talk through everything — the techniques used, the moments that required instinct over protocol, the way we read the room. These conversations are where a lot of the real learning happens.
Scheduling Is Collaborative
Shadow sessions are scheduled around mutual availability. We know you likely have other commitments — school, work, life. We'll find a cadence that keeps your momentum going without overwhelming your schedule.
Confidentiality Matters
Before your first session, you'll sign a confidentiality and professional conduct agreement. Our clients invite us into their homes and trust us with their families — we take that seriously, and we ask you to as well.
The Path Forward
From Your First Shadow Session to Your First Paycheck
The program is designed with a clear beginning, middle, and end — so you always know where you stand and what's next.
Apply & Connect
Tell us about yourself — what draws you to dog training, where you are in your journey, and what you're hoping to get out of the program. If it feels like a good fit, we'll set up a quick call to get to know each other.
Begin Shadowing
Once your agreement is signed, you'll start joining our lead trainer for real client sessions. No pressure to know anything yet — just come curious and ready to watch.
Pursue Your Certification
While you're shadowing, you'll enroll in a recognized dog training certification program. We'll help point you toward the right path and stay in your corner as you work through it.
Complete the Program
The mentorship wraps up when you've hit a defined milestone — typically a set number of shadow hours aligned with your certification requirements. We'll mark the occasion properly.
Interview for the Team
Licensed mentees who complete the program are invited to interview for a paid trainer position at Family Pupz. We can't promise every mentee a job — but the people we've trained alongside are always our first call.
Your Best Life With Dogs Is Closer Than You Think.
If you're serious about building a career in dog training and you want to do it with real mentorship behind you — we'd genuinely love to hear from you.
A Note on Program Structure & Labor Law
The Family Pupz Mentorship Program is structured as an unpaid observational experience in compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor's Primary Beneficiary Test (FLSA) and Colorado state labor law. Mentees are not employees, do not perform work on behalf of the business, and are not guaranteed a paid position upon completion. A written Mentorship Agreement is required before any sessions begin.
We recommend all applicants review the DOL Fact Sheet #71 and consult a Colorado employment attorney with any questions. Full program terms are provided at the time of application.