TOM ROSE SCHOOL K9 Training Internship

Learn. Train. Experience the Working-Dog World.
Spend an immersive period at the Tom Rose School and experience hands-on training in a working K9 environment.
Our internship is designed for individuals who want to expand their knowledge, gain practical experience, and spend meaningful time working with dogs under the guidance of experienced trainers.

This is a hands-on experience focused on training, handling, observation, and the daily care of working dogs.

What You’ll Experience
Throughout the internship, students are introduced to a variety of training disciplines and daily responsibilities, including:

Obedience
Learn the fundamentals of obedience and develop better communication, timing, and handling skills when working with dogs.

Tracking
Gain hands-on experience with the fundamentals of tracking and learn how dogs use their natural abilities to follow a scent trail.

Scent Detection
Explore the principles of scent detection and experience the process of developing and working with detection dogs.

Protection
Learn about the fundamentals of protection work and experience the training methods and handling involved in working with protection dogs.

Kennel Management & Dog Care
Students also participate in the day-to-day care and management of the dogs, including:

Kennel management
Cleaning and sanitation
Grooming and general care
Dog evaluations
Daily handling and routines
Client phone calls and communication
General kennel responsibilities

A Hands-On Learning Experience
The best way to understand working dogs is to spend time with them.
Our internship gives students the opportunity to observe, participate, practice, and learn in an active K9 training environment.

Each day provides exposure to different dogs, training situations, and aspects of working-dog care. The experience is designed to give students a deeper understanding of canine behavior, training, handling, and the commitment involved in maintaining working dogs.

Program Options
Choose the length of stay that works best for you.

Investment
Daily: $200
Weekly: $1,260
4 Weeks: $4,480

Housing
Housing is available for students participating in the internship.
Daily: $60
Weekly: $385
4 Weeks: $1,400

Come Train With Us
Whether you are passionate about dogs, interested in working-dog training, or simply looking for an opportunity to immerse yourself in a hands-on K9 environment, the Tom Rose School internship offers a unique opportunity to learn through experience.
Spend time with the dogs. Learn from experienced trainers. Experience the Tom Rose School.

Interested in Joining Us?
Contact us for upcoming dates, availability, and enrollment information.

Meet The Trainers

Learn from seasoned professionals with extensive experience in canine behavior and high-level sport competition:

Hayssam Chdid is a highly experienced dog trainer and breeder with over 20 years in the industry. Raised in his father's renowned training and breeding program, he began training professionally at age 12 and grew up imprinting and raising more than 100 puppies a year—giving him a deep understanding of canine behavior.
In 2008, he attended The Tom Rose School, graduating with honors from the Masters program. He then returned to Lebanon, where he trained pet, police, and military dogs and established the K-9 unit for the United Nations (ESCWA) in Beirut.
A strong believer in continuous learning, Hayssam attends workshops and seminars worldwide and is passionate about educating future trainers. Known for his skill with difficult and aggressive cases, he takes pride in helping dogs avoid unnecessary surrender or euthanasia.
Today, Hayssam is recognized for his ability to work with dogs of all temperaments, his expertise in protection-sport decoying, and his commitment to helping owners and trainers build strong, lasting relationships with their dogs.


Kirsten Chdid began her dog training career while studying Pre-Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she joined a mobility service-dog training program and discovered her passion for canine behavior. After earning her degree in Animal Science, she chose to pursue dog training full-time and attended The Tom Rose School, graduating with honors.
Since then, Kirsten has continued her education through workshops and programs worldwide and has trained more than 240 dogs per year—giving her extensive experience with a wide range of dogs and owners. She excels at teaching both handlers and trainers how to communicate clearly with their dogs, from basic obedience to competition-level work.
When she’s not training, Kirsten oversees staff, client relations, and daily operations.

A professional dog trainer since 1968, Tom Rose is one of the top trainers in America. He is the author of three books, Training the Competitive Working Dog, Dogs That Love and Protect, and his most recent,  Dog Training With the Touch.

Tom has a number of firsts under his belt. He is the first American Trainer to earn an advanced tracking degree with a perfect score of 100 points, topping his previous record of 97 points. He was the first to coin the certification "Professional Dog Trainer.” he also coined the phrase "Imprinting" in reference to dog training.  And he was the first to import and promote the Belgian Malinois breed into the United States as a police K-9.

Tom also has an extensive and impressive record of winning  competitions. He had the highest-scoring “trained by exhibitor” dog in IGP III in the National Championships five different years. He won the National Championship in IGP I and IGP  II and achieved the highest-scoring dog in the Championship. He holds the highest score (298 points out of a possible 300) ever earned by an American trainer in the history of the IGP sport. Tom is also the winner of the 1981 United States DVG IGP III Championship.  Tom was awarded the "TOP" trainer of the year six separate years.

Tom was honored to represent The German Shepherd Dog Club of America at the World Union Championship in Salzburg, Austria. He earned the VDH Gold Trainers medal for his outstanding achievements in dog training and exhibition.

Founded in 1979, The Tom Rose School became one of the earliest and most influential institutions in the country for educating and certifying professional dog trainers. For nearly five decades, TRS set standards and shaped the direction of modern dog training, earning a respected place in the industry’s history.

Today, The Tom Rose School is not offering professional certification or formal training programs. Instead, we are now focusing on sharing knowledge through workshops and seminars designed to help dog enthusiasts and trainers of all skill levels continue developing their craft.