Become a Certified Master Dog Trainer
"I’d taken other courses before, but Smart was different. The in-person training, real feedback, and the ongoing business support made all the difference. Within a month of qualifying, I had my first paying clients."
"Becoming an SMDT through Smart gave me real skills and a brand that clients actually trust. The mentorship and community support are on another level."
"The four-day workshop was a game-changer for me. I learned more in those days than in any previous course - and I left knowing exactly how to run my business."
2500+
Trainer Locations
"Smart’s business tools and mapped profile meant I started getting leads from day one. I finally feel like a professional, not just a hobbyist."
"I’d struggled to find clients after another online certification. Smart gave me the structure, coaching, and confidence to actually build a sustainable business."
"The community of trainers is fantastic - it’s not just learning, it’s real connection and support. I always have somewhere to turn for advice."
"If you want to launch properly, not just get another certificate, Smart is the only choice. The leads, the mentorship, the systems - all world-class."
1000+
Dogs Trained
What Is The SMART Certification Programme?
As you’ve seen in the video above, the SMDT Certification isn’t just a course. It’s the only step-by-step pathway designed to produce world-class dog trainers - professionals who build real businesses, serve real clients, and operate with the full backing of a national brand.
But let’s be clear…
This certification is not for everyone.
It’s for people who want to do this properly - who want to train at the highest standard, not just tick a box. If you want to call yourself a trainer after a weekend online, there are plenty of places for that. But if you want to become a world-class dog trainer, build a trusted business, and join a national community of the UK’s top trainers, Smart is your pathway.
Who Is This For?
Career Changers
Step into a new career with the backing of the UK’s leading brand. Train with top instructors, join a national community of Smart Trainers, and get real-time support - live, in-person, and online. Earn a certification and business launch that stands out.
Active Trainers
Already training dogs, but still struggling for clients or direction? Get the proven systems, expert feedback, and Smart community that sets you apart. Connect at live events, work with founders, and build a reputation that attracts real business.
What You'll Get
All the tools, support, and structure you need to qualify, operate locally, and grow as a Smart Master Dog Trainer (SMDT).
.svg){kind=icon}
Learn at your pace, then build real-world skill hands-on with senior trainers at a UK venue.
Access booking tools, pricing templates, client forms, marketing assets, and ready-to-use systems.
Operate as an official Smart trainer in your area - with mapped visibility and ongoing mentorship.
How Smart Compares
Most dog training courses teach obedience. Some offer a certificate. A few include business advice. Only Smart delivers a complete, professional dog training career.
What You'll Learn
This certification teaches far more than exercises. You’ll learn how to think, train, and operate like a professional - able to deliver real results, coach clients with confidence, and build a business that stands apart.
Train with understanding, not guesswork.
Learn how dogs think, process information, and respond to pressure, release and reward. This foundation builds your ability to make clear decisions, read behaviour, and train with confidence from day one.
Operant and classical conditioning, simplified
State, drive, motivation and arousal explained
Communication through timing, reinforcement, and clarity
Ethical, effective use of tools in the Smart Method
Build precision, timing, and control in the real world.
Train core obedience skills to a high standard - sit, down, recall, place, heel - while developing mechanical skill, leash handling, and clean communication under distraction and pressure.
Marker timing, leash handling and lead work
Progression: assisted reps to fluency to reliability
Sit, down, stay, recall, place, heel - with structure
Pressure/release application with confidence
Teach clients with structure, confidence, and clarity.
You'll learn how to coach real owners using Smart’s communication framework. This module focuses on delivery, behaviour shaping, and helping owners reinforce training with confidence.
The Smart coaching sequence: name, explain, demo, coach
Managing client mindset, resistance, and regression
Progress tracking and reinforcing success
Structuring private sessions and homework
Run engaging, structured classes that deliver results.
Lead group sessions that deliver value and results. Learn how to coach multiple clients at once, manage space and energy, and keep dogs and people progressing week by week.
Class structure, space management, and escalation
Coaching clients in a group environment
Leading with tone, presence, and authority
Managing energy, reactivity, and attention
Assess, plan and intervene with clarity and control.
Learn how to identify behavioural issues and resolve them professionally. You’ll build plans that address the root causes of problems - not just suppress symptoms - with real-world tools and structure.
Assessing behaviour and building clear plans
Working through reactivity, anxiety and frustration
Structured protocols for change and follow-through
Leading behaviour change with Smart principles
Build a training business that reflects your standards.
Set up your brand, pricing, systems and delivery to launch professionally - not as a one-man band, but as a Smart Master Dog Trainer. Everything is done-for-you and ready to scale.
Smart-branded booking, pricing, and client templates
Full onboarding and marketing systems
Setup of email, automations and client comms
12-month mentorship to support delivery and growth
Inside the 4-Day Practical
Your four-day in-person training is where theory becomes confident delivery. Across structured sessions, you’ll practise the Smart Method with real dogs, refine your timing and handling, and complete your practical assessment under expert guidance.
Each day runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at your selected venue.
Day 01
Communication, Handling & Engagement
You’ll build trust, timing and communication with the dog through clean mechanics and clear feedback. This day focuses on clarity, pressure/release, and correct handling across tools and contexts.
Understanding drive, motivation and state
Marker timing, leash handling, equipment use
Building focus, calmness and engagement before obedience begins
Day 02
Obedience & Progression
Develop fluency in core behaviours and learn to move from guidance to independence. You’ll practise structured progression and problem-solving under distraction.
Teaching sit, down, heel, stay, place and recall
Layering pressure and reinforcement with intent
Working through distractions and increasing difficulty
Day 03
Behaviour & Client Coaching
Shift focus to behaviour and communication with owners. You’ll assess dogs, apply modification strategies, and practise delivering coaching with confidence and clarity.
Working through reactivity, frustration, or anxiety
Role-playing consults and explaining strategy to clients
Practising leadership, emotional tone and client boundaries
Day 04
Assessment, Business Prep & Next Steps
The final day is about demonstrating your skills and preparing to launch. You’ll complete your assessment and begin setting up your business the Smart way.
Real-time training assessment with personalised feedback
Business Q&A: pricing, packaging, and delivery guidance
Launch preparation: certification, community, and mentorship access
Choose Your University
Explore the map to see where you could train, then secure your place and pick your bootcamp dates inside your student dashboard.
The Opportunity Is Real
Dog ownership has surged, behaviour issues are rising, and families need qualified help. Most are ready to pay for professional support - but can’t find the right trainer. That’s where you come in.
Join Our Community of 2500+ Smart Master Dog Trainers
Learn, connect, and grow with the UK’s leading trainers.
In-Person Events
1-to-1 Business Coaching
Private Community
Get 30% Off & Lifetime Access
Full access to Smart’s professional training, 4-day workshop, 12-month mentorship, business toolkit, and local trainer setup.
SMDT + Local Business
Pay in Full
1 x Single Payment
£1997
£1397
SMDT Certification
4 Day Practical Workshop
1-to-1 Zoom Business Coaching
Lifetime Access to Course
12 Months Business Mentorship
Smart Business Setup & Launch
Operate YOUR Local Smart Centre
Trainer Page on Smart Website
Live Sessions and In-Person Events
Access to The Smart Community
SMDT + Local Business
Payment Plan
4 X Monthly Payment Plan
£2396
£419
SMDT Certification
4 Day Practical Workshop
1-to-1 Zoom Business Coaching
Lifetime Access to Course
12 Months Business Mentorship
Smart Business Setup & Launch
Operate YOUR Local Smart Centre
Trainer Page on Smart Website
Live Sessions and In-Person Events
Access to The Smart Community
FAQs
Still unsure? Book a call - we’re happy to talk it through.
No. This programme is built for people at all levels - including beginners. We teach you the skills, systems, and confidence to train professionally and launch under the Smart brand.
No. This is a blended certification. You’ll complete a structured online curriculum and attend a four-day, in-person workshop at a UK venue. Both are required for certification.
As soon as you enrol. You’ll get immediate access to the Smart University, including all modules, bonus content, and our private trainer community.
Not at all. Many students begin beforehand, but the two parts are designed to complement each other. You can complete modules before, during or after your workshop.
You’ll earn your Smart Master Dog Trainer (SMDT) certification and be onboarded as an official Smart trainer listed on our national map, connected to local leads, and supported with full business tools.
You’re self-employed, but not on your own. This is a micro-franchise model: you operate under the Smart brand, with access to our systems, support, and national marketing - while keeping control of your business.
Yes. We generate leads through our national platform and direct them to trainers by location. You’ll also learn how to run your own outreach, pricing, and conversion strategy - with our tools behind you.
You join our 12-month mentorship programme. That includes live coaching calls, 1:1 support, advanced training courses, and business development guidance - so you never have to figure it out alone.
Everything we use to run Smart locations: pricing templates, booking systems, onboarding forms, session plans, marketing campaigns, client scripts and more. It’s all ready to plug in.
No. Full payment is required at the time of enrolment to secure your place and activate your access.
If you’re serious about becoming a professional trainer - not just learning exercises but launching a real business - then yes. This programme is built for people who want to do it properly.