Licenses and Special Education

Adopted dogs often come with their own set of social complications and unique resistance to certain types of training. Join our trainers to learn ways to gently introduce new concepts to your adopted dog.

If your dog has had negative experiences with separation in their past or it has inherited its fearful nature, there is a specific technique to use when addressing this emotional issue. We start training with counter conditioning and desensitization. Join our trainer for first hand help in getting your dog to be more comfortable when left alone.

Through a series of 3 x 3 hour workshops our dog trainer and trained psychologist Lena Mertens will lead you and your dog through the basic course for comfort or emotional support dogs.

Through a series of 2 x 3 hour workshops our dog trainer and trained psychologist Lena Mertens will lead you and your dog through the advanced course for comfort or emotional support dogs. The course culminates in a series of trial situations for you and your dog to practice your training.

A challenge for ambitious dog owners!

This course is about the preparation for the exam for the dog handler license of the German association „BVZ-Hundetrainer e.V.“

With this license the „BVZ-Hundetrainer e.V.“ offers a high-quality test that not only meets a high quality standard but is also subject to nationwide uniform and method-free test criteria in Germany. Dog owners should have the opportunity to obtain a dog handler license without membership in associations or clubs.

In the preparatory group, we prepare specifically for the final exam or this license, we train for example
- leash training
- staying in contact without leash
- binding recall
- how to meet other dogs & humans
- environmental security in the city
- basic obedience
There is also a theoretical preparation for the exam.

For the practical test, situations in extra-urban or free-range areas and urban areas are examined. The dog should be controllable and safe to manoeuvre by the dog owner in both areas.

Important: The license only relates to the tested team and is not transferable to other dogs (if they are owned by several dogs) or to people!

(Block course with 10 appointments)

With the help of this training, you will learn the terminology of the training and the learning theory on which the exercises are based. In addition, in this course we learn different methods of creating behaviors and strengthen the handler's mechanical training skills. We also learn the dog's subtle signal language, repeat the cornerstones of training and learn to make training plans for our dog.

Unleash Your Potential: Become a Certified Dog Walker with Martha & Friends! Are you a dog lover eager to turn your passion into a rewarding profession? Our comprehensive course trains future dog walkers to provide top-notch care, fun-filled walks, and safe adventures for your furry friends. Join us to embark on a journey of wagging tails, happy paws, and a fulfilling career. Enrol today and take the first step towards becoming a trusted companion to man’s best friend!

After receiving the diploma, you have the opportunity to work as a Dog Walker at Martha & Friends for dogs that are not suitable for daycare at the facility.

NOTE: All applicants will be required to introduce themselves to our trainers in a 30 minute introductory lesson before being formally accepted into the course.


Week 1: Lecture
Week 2: Leash and collar/harness training
Week 3: Reward marker/release marker - how to reward to maintain motivation - contact/maintaining contact
Week 4: Attention mark and the use of attention mark on walks
Week 5: Where to hold the leash to avoid hand injuries - How to handle leash tangles - how to use the attention mark with many dogs at the same time
Week 6: Manoeuvring stairs
Week 7: Safe enter/exit a vehicle or house
Week 8: How to avoid conflicts among the dogs you’r walking with - What to do when encountering a loose or leashed dog (when you are walking a group of dogs)
Week 9: Heat and Cold precautions, poo management/responsibility.
Week 10: Canine First Aid
Week 11: Exam (The exam consists of 2 sections: theory and practice. Obtaining the diploma requires passing the test.)