The Institute of Modern Dog Trainers Omdömen 

I'd be cautious about the IMDT and don't be swayed by their 5 star reviews on their actual website as obviously they delete the bad ones. If you are choosing to do your assessment online be especially cautious. The 4 day training course itself is ok if you are a newbie but IMDT are very our way or the highway. The 2 day learning theory course is rubbish and so superficial especially on zoom where Muz spends all his time reading comments rather than getting into the technical theory of learning. Again ok if you are a newbie but very basic and a waste of money. The assessment can set you up to fail which goes against their ethos with dogs. Although I agree that the guidelines for completion of the assessment need to be thorough they over complicate it so much that it makes it very confusing and the support pre assessment is not good. Email responses are very vague when you ask for specific help and no one will pick up the phone. They grade the score on compliance of how it was filmed, quality of sound, quality of vision, length of class which with 5 people and dogs in a field is very hard. I had to get the people together 3 times in order to successfully do the recording. I failed this section on the length of the class but it was not made clear that it had to be 20 minutes exactly and with all the other technical things that you are worrying about with sound/vision etc it was almost impossible. If IMDT are going to offer an online option it needs to be clear and supportive not just pages and pages of rules to adhere to over the quality of the actual training you are delivering. The pre assessment zoom will not prepare you sufficiently. During the zoom assessment the instructor was very abrupt and curt which did not help at all and again they blind you with realms of guidelines that it becomes over confusing and you enter on the back foot worrying about technicalities rather than your actual training knowledge itself. Alun had a go at me as soon as I got on screen for not printing out the schedule, which was just basic 9-9.20 section 1, 9.30-9.50 section 2 etc so hardly necessary. He then had a go at me because I didnt ask him to go and get his dog from the back room, again over complication of the rules as I was so confused by then about what they wanted. At one stage he was pretending to be a very rude customer and it wasn't hard for him to do this. In my experience as a dog trainer I have never ever had a customer like that. I actually got over 90% on my knowledge which proves that I know my stuff but I came away very upset about the whole experience and failed on technicalities rather than my actual knowledge. I am not the only person to have had this experience where they intimidate trainers but as one of the biggest no one seems to really talk about it. There are many more kind supportive companies out there which will provide a more in-depth variety of learning. Set up to succeed does not seem to apply with IMDT.

Purchased the Level 5 course, after having a phone call to discuss suitability. Felt very welcoming and supportive.

Received the material along with study videos. These videos are extremely poor quality;
- Audio spikes very continuously, physically causing my ears to hurt every time.
- Narrators constantly 'erm', 'ehhh' and losing track of thought. At some points making a statement, realising it was wrong, then back tracking - very unprofessional and confusing!
- Videos were not edited at all, making for very long, frustratingly confusing videos.

I continued with the first module (after buying multiple expensive books from their reading list!) I couldn't find resources to answer a question, so I asked for help. Only for them to suggest buying another course from them just to answer one question. (Scam?!) I refused. Asking for a pointer on where to look, they could NOT recommend a book, website or source to answer this question; after multiple attempts of asking for help. They continued to give me vague answers, making me feel like the problem.

I finally said I wasn't happy with the 'tutoring' or support they were giving, they turned it back on me; once again making me feel like the problem. Causing me a load of stress and feeling depressed.

I love to learn, hence buying this expensive course. Very quickly, due to the 'tutors' - I hated learning and even had a panic attack at the thought of it. These people are NOT here to help.

I said it would be best to leave the course and ask for a refund (having not passed the first module and paid £600!) Not a single reply. At this point it is causing me too much stress and emotional damage to even speak with these people.

I will continue to deter people away from IMDT courses until I know their practices have changed for the better.

Other things of note;
- No designated tutor; every time you ask for help, you get a different person replying. So no one can build rapport and the tutor can not learn your learning style.
- No designated tutor video or phone calls; with regular calls with a designated tutor, the tutor can do their job and make sure you are happy, understanding the course and as little stress as possible. This is simply not a thing with IMDT.
- They do not list all the sources you need to pass a course. Recommending another course in order to pass the course your on - gives the impression that this is a SCAM!
- Unprofessional; there is a PDF contract that you need to sign before any work can be handed in. Not one person asked for this signed copy and I was not even aware of it's existence. I had simply missed it in the mass of PDF'S, emails and videos.
- As people in the dog training field, we advocate for errorless learning, full support and if the learner is struggling, we take a step back and acknowledge what is the challenge. Breaking down that challenge in easier pieces to help the learner be stress-free, comfortable and happy to continue learning... This practice is NOT put into place for IMDT's HUMAN LEARNERS. Why?!

I am incredibly disappointed with these people and this organisation. I will continue to discourage anyone who wants to take these courses; until they have made changes for the better.

Scam.

What I didn’t like:
Very expensive courses in general that could be described in better detail. If you’re paying over £500 for a practical course it would be good to know exactly what you will get.

4 day practical course only teaches you how to manage and run a group class. There is very little theory, no 1:1 consultation practice. People left this course after the first day because they were expected to teach a class but hadn’t been shown HOW to teach the particular behaviours. One of the trainers running the course was very arrogant and dismissive, failed to realise there were people on the course that had years of professional training experience including rescue and military dog training from force free training backgrounds.

Disappointed to see that IMDT are offering qualifications on kennel management but they themselves (IMDT co-owner) had been operating without a license for a few years! Sadly this discredits their reputation.

What I did like:
Some of the trainers are very supportive and enthusiastic which is the right attitude to have when in a teaching environment.

Webinars are actually pretty good and nice to be able to view them multiple times.

Their practical course would benefit greatly if the first day was dedicated 50/50 between theory (with theory homework) and 1:1 consultation training. Lots of people on course only wanted to do 1:1 and didn’t benefit from an entire course dedicated to class work.

If you want to learn how to run a group class and you already have sound theory but perhaps just need some confidence then the 4 day would be excellent for you. It was very well done and excellent for those with low confidence. But their advertising for this could explain course content in better detail.

Completed my courses and have been an IMDT trainer for a few years now. I always found the instructors very encouraging and supportive. I am now working on my behavioural course and due to how busy life can be didn't manage to complete it in the first year and so they extended the course for me at no extra charge.

Had to change my coarse as a family member died change my coarse date this time a got a fungal infection and on medication so carnt attend sent a email to be told the coarse carn't be change very disappointed with this company

I have just completed the 4 day Practical Training Instructor Course and found it very informative. The instructors were brilliant and I had a great group of people to learn with. I would definitely recommend it.

The IMDT have been absolutely amazing! I have completed the 2 day course, the 4 day practical course, and now the body language Zoom course.
I can honestly say I have learnt so, so much and I am absolutely addicted! I have thoroughly enjoyed each course.
The instructors are so helpful, and nothing is too much trouble. They managed to build my confidence massively in just 4 days, and I can honestly say that course has changed me as a person. I conquered a big fear. It is all thanks to the instructors instilling that confidence in me.
The instructors never push you to feel uncomfortable, and their support is always there if you need it.
Their teaching really sticks, and I am constantly referring back to their lessons in my mind.
They are worth every penny.

If you are considering dog training, I cannot recommend the IMDT enough.
If anyone is having doubts, all you need to do is look at reviews on the official IMDT website, or on their Facebook. 5 stars, from real people with real experiences.

I have been on a course with 20+ people, and we ALL said how amazing it was. Qualified trainers included.

I am so excited to continue my IMDT journey 🐾

The 2 & 4 day courses are basic, overpriced and presented poorly - you will have forgotten everything presented by the time you get home even with the slide pack they give you which is useless.

The level 3 distance learning course is not fit for purpose and will be of no use whatsoever if you are an existing behaviourist/trainer or thinking about becoming one. The support from the admin people and/or the tutor (if one actually exists) is shocking - slow, email only (telephone conversations are not efficient apparently), vague and more often that not rude and belittling. Referencing material is strictly limited to what and where they recommend - very expensive books, irrelevant websites or their own webinars which you have to pay for and are uninspiring and amateurish.

Please avoid wasting your time and money with these people.

I have been a paying member of the IMDT for the last two years and have been recommending them for people interested in becoming a trainer.

Recent news has come to light that the owners of the company have not been acting honestly in another company they run. I know several IMDT members have asked about what’s going on and what they have to say about it but have had no response. I asked the question today on an internal members only page, and my question was deleted within three minutes and I was then blocked from the page (which is supposed to be a privilege of being a paying member).

I have never seen such a lack of transparency from a company before. The IMDT code of conduct states that members must be professional with good honesty and integrity. If only the owners would follow their own code of conduct.

Needless to say, I won’t be renewing my membership. I only hope all the dog trainers who have spent their time and money studying won’t be the ones who end up losing out here.

How can anybody take this company seriously now that one of the directors ( Steve Manns wife ) has been PROSECUTED under the animal welfare act for operating a large scale boarding kennel for two years without a licence. Google "Glendee kennels" and see for yourself. To add insult to injury they actually offer courses for boarding and daycare. Scammers. An absolute disgrace!

I was very disappointed in the IMDT Level 4 course.
It was not made clear what to expect and I signed up willingly and some what excited. They advised once signed up to purchase 4 books that they recommend. None of those books, which cost me nearly £80 helped me at all! In the first unit, one question was repeated twice, although worded slightly differently and 100 more words required for the second repeated question.
Trying to find any form or an answer on the Internet or books was beyond challenging.
Even Google scholar struggled.
I didn't learn anything, although this is set up for those already in the dog training business, for which I am, so for anyone starting out in the business would struggle even more. They do advise to shadow another dog trainer, but sadly, you cannot use that knowledge gained for the course.
I eventually, after weeks of stressing, emailed them to advised of my struggle and could I possibly stop the payments of £200 a month as I had already paid 3 out of the 6 installments.
Did I ever hear back from them? NO I DID NOT! Not even to see if they could off me more support.
STAY AWAY FROM IMDT!
Going to do the Victoria Stilwell course, as my business partner highly recommends it and its very practical. Plus it's a level 5.

Having completed 3 postgraduate studies and an undergraduate degree, I am experienced in studying both in person and distant learning. The Level 3 LMR course is just not fit for purpose. There is no actual teaching on this course. You pay £500 for a PDF of information and then a Word document to answer several questions - each of the four units are like this. You are then told to read books. There are two webinars, but you have to pay for these on top of the course fee. You are told to email a tutor if you are stuck. The actual problem is, the lack of teaching - there is no real interaction with the topics being taught. Learning is more than reading half a dozen of poorly written pages.

After the first unit I decided to withdraw, as the course if not worth the time. On trying to get a refund and stop the direct debt, I was informed I will be paying the full amount for the course. So £562 (plus the money I spent on the webinars), I got two badly recorded PowerPoints, a PDF of about 20 pages and a Word doc.

The feedback was blunt and made little sense. It just didn't make any sense - the whole course and organisation. The email communication is also blunt and broadening on rude.

Please avoid.

What a sham of an organisation, make sure you read the terms and conditions very carefully. I cancelled a course with them with over 100 days notice and the still took their pound of flesh. While you expect an admin charge I was stung for £170 and all I received was 1 email. Be warned and avoid.

I wasn't going to leave a review but have decided it's important to back up the people who have left these other reviews so they know they're not alone. Just to say do not bother getting assessed by them unless you are 'in' with them. I feel robbed of the £300 assessment fee as well as just so disappointed that a company I have had so much faith in, recommended to so many and trained with since before they were even called the IMDT (when they used to be called Alpha Dog Training - 12 years ago) have acted in the way they have. I have been training for over 10 years and have had huge amounts of success and positive feedback from clients. My ethics match perfectly with the IMDTs and as such I thought I should finally get round to getting assessed so i could officially be associated with them. I passed all sections with exceptionally high marks, but was 'failed' on the group class assessment - the thing I actually have been doing for a living for 10 years. I was failed on points that literally made no sense. Such as being told it was unsafe to do a demo an exercise 'in case one of the owners became unwell and i didn't have my hands free to help the owner who was unwell' (not kidding, word for word). The points I was failed on were parts of the way I train that I believe are extremely effective and have the client feedback to prove this. I appealed the decision and after almost 3 weeks received a reply saying the decision stands with little to no comment on all the justification and explanation I had sent including peer reviewed scientific studies in to how people learn and why i use the methods i use.
I also found the admin extremely rude and blunt throughout our interactions and felt like I was nothing more than a nuisance to them even though the reason I had to email multiple times was because they would ignore questions in each email completely as if i'd not asked them.
The lady who did my zoom assessment was actually lovely and really made me think i'd done well - when i joked at the end "oh god i hope i've passed - i know you can't tell me but just reassure me i'm not an awful trainer" - she replied smiling and laughing and said "I think you know you're good". So i have to say i was pretty shocked with the result in the end.
Such an upsetting, confidence knocking and all round disappointing experience. Do not waste your money on them - there are other FAR more credible associations out there who care about more than just their own poorly researched tick boxes. (who i hasten to add i'm already qualified with).

I agree with previous negative reviews of the IMDT.

Firstly, the admin secretary is rude and unhelpful whenever there is communication. To the point of offering no apology for late results of the assessment (which took 5 weeks to receive) just a blunt notification.

During my experience of the 4 day course. I went home crying due to bullying from a tutor during my presentation. This was done in front of a group of strangers and the tutor himself was very aggressive towards me. This was followed on the remaining days of being too attentive, which as a woman made me feel extremely targeted and uncomfortable.

Of course, I complained about this which I felt led to an end result of my assessment failure as I had a black mark against my name for complaining. The assessment feedback is horrendous, very little positive feedback but streams of negative. This is not how any learner should be treated. Whereas other people passed and were offered membership even though they hadn't brought correct equipment. An example of this is being assessed during the 121 for a settle on a mat but the person hadn't brought a mat and still passed. Whereas I was very well prepared, my 121 feedback was that I shouldn't have used a long line for recall even though the dog was a flight risk- this makes no sense and shows their complete inequality when assessing. In other words, don't complain or have an opinion if you want to pass.

The content of the Q&A part of the assessment is barely covered on this course. I achieved well in this only due to a group of people willing to share previous questions. However, if you don't have this access you are set up at a disadvantage.

Overall a money making scheme with a clique culture - if you don't fit in to their way you don't stand a chance.

Many others also commented on how no accomodations are made for people who are neurodiverse.

I wish I would have spent more money with reputable organisations who are registered with ABTC.

This was an expensive and unpleasant lesson learnt that I would not recommend

I do not recommend using this dog training provider.

I recently had a frustrating experience with the IMDT based in the UK.

As a small business owner running a doggy daycare in Jersey Channel Islands, I had booked a course with this provider but was unable to attend due to my business commitments and difficulty of travel.

I had requested to use the credit for online courses instead, which would not incur any additional cost for the provider. However, I was informed that this was not possible due to being too last minute.

What disappointed me the most was that this provider claims to encourage its students to run their own businesses, yet they were not willing to make any allowances for my business commitments. I have previously spent thousands of pounds on their courses and have always valued their training and support. However, their inflexibility towards small businesses like mine is unacceptable.

I am not asking for a refund, but simply to use the credit towards future online courses. This is a reasonable request, especially considering it would not cost the provider any additional expenses. Unfortunately, their response has left me with no other choice but to look for alternative providers for my training needs in the future.

Overall, I am extremely disappointed with the lack of flexibility and understanding demonstrated by this dog training provider. As a small business owner, it is essential to have support from providers who claim to encourage entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, this provider has failed to live up to their claims and I will not be using their services again.

Disappointing, the overall pass rate is 59% and I reached 76.5 so well over. And x2 below 55% one being 54% and the other 50% so I was failed on my assessment by 1% MASSIVELY unfair. I feel the zoom assessment harsh and poorly set out, I stated a lot more then accounted for. They brag about high pass rates yet I do not know anyone that’s passed. Money making scheme. Definitely avoid. Shame really as I’ve spent a lot of money on this, and was keen to continue. This however has definitely opened my eyes.