Hello there, fellow dog lovers! If you have found yourself here, reading this article, there’s a good chance you’ve thought about turning your passion for pooches into a fulfilling career. Wonderful! This comprehensive guide is exactly what you need to take your first steps toward becoming a professional dog trainer.
Imagine getting to spend your day helping dogs and their humans communicate better and live more harmoniously. As a dog trainer, you’re in the unique position of shaping the behaviors of pets — from training puppies the basics like sit, stay, and leash etiquette to helping mature dogs adapt to new situations or overcome anxieties.
Picture guiding a first-time pet owner and their rambunctious rescue lab to understand each other’s cues, resulting in a strengthened bond. Or teaching a fearful adopted greyhound to trust the world again with its loving new family. Or maybe even coaching a talented schnauzer to compete in agility trials — and win!
Are you excited yet? Excellent! Here’s how to become a dog trainer and start doing what you love.
What Does a Dog Trainer Do?
As a dog trainer, you engage in a role that’s as diverse as it is rewarding. Dog trainers teach dogs to respond to verbal commands and hand signals, helping them develop desired behaviors and break away from undesirable ones.
However, beyond just training dogs and teaching them behavioral cues, you may also get opportunities to work with dogs, preparing for roles in service, therapy, law enforcement, or competitions. For example, you could train a dog to assist individuals with disabilities, perform tasks in response to specific triggers, search and find illegal contraband, or perfect their agility for a competition.
In addition, as a dog trainer, you also guide dog owners. For instance, you’ll advise them on how to maintain training consistency at home and how to understand their dog’s body language. This education empowers owners to build stronger bonds with their pets, reinforcing the behaviors taught during training.
Steps to Become a Dog Trainer
If you’ve always loved dogs and you’re passionate about using humane training methods to enhance their quality of life and their relationships with humans, then becoming a professional dog trainer could be your ideal career. Here are the steps to get you started on the journey.
Step One: Get Some Personal Experience
The first step towards becoming a professional dog trainer starts at home, with your own pet. Training your own dog will help you understand basic behavioral aspects and the incredible bond that training can foster between humans and dogs.
Step Two: Study, Study, Study
Next, immerse yourself in learning all you can about dog behavior, breeds, and training techniques, mainly through reading. Books like “Don’t Shoot the Dog” by Karen Pryor and “The Other End of the Leash” by Patricia McConnell are invaluable resources.
Online courses or webinars are also beneficial. The more well-rounded your understanding, the better equipped you’ll be for the upcoming challenges.
Step Three: Get Hands-On Training
Seek hands-on training, perhaps by volunteering at your local shelter. Here, you can be exposed to a variety of breeds, personalities, and behavior challenges. It can be an emotional job, but it’s highly rewarding and a great place to cut your teeth as a trainer.
Step Four: Formally Educate Yourself
Formal education can vary from certificates to degree programs offered by vocational schools, community colleges, and universities. The curricula often cover animal behavior, canine anatomy and physiology, veterinary medicine, basic and advanced obedience, principles of conditioning, breed characteristics, and a lot more.
Step Five: Earn a Professional Certification
Though certification is optional, it’s a significant way of demonstrating your proficiency to potential clients and employers. You can choose to get certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), an internationally recognized organization.
Step Six: Start Your Career
Finally, it’s time to test the waters. Look for internships or entry-level positions at dog training facilities, shelters, or pet stores. Also, consider setting up your own private practice. Note that this step might involve more than dog training. Initially, the job can also involve networking, marketing, and even accounting when you start your own dog training business.
Necessary Skills for a Successful Dog Trainer
As a successful dog trainer, it’s essential to equip yourself with various competencies beyond being able to get dogs to perform simple “Sit” or “Stay” commands. Here, we’re looking at five key skills that have served me well in my career as a dog trainer and can serve you too!
1. Communication Skills
As a dog trainer, you’re not just communicating with dogs but with their owners as well. Therefore, strong speaking and active listening are crucial skills to have. For instance, during sessions, you may often explain behavior theories and training techniques to clients in a way that’s easy for them to understand. Remember, as a trainer, you are also an educator!
2. Patience
Training dogs requires a great deal of patience. For example, rescue dogs may have difficulty focusing. It can take time to train them to master simple games like “fetch.” The key here is to remember that all dogs learn at their own pace, and rewarding small progress keeps motivation high – both yours and your furry clients’.
3. Understanding of Animal Behavior
A deep understanding of dog behavior is fundamental to becoming a good trainer. This skill allows you to pick up subtle cues dogs give, helping to identify what they’re trying to communicate.
4. Physical Fitness
As a dog trainer, you’ll be on your feet for a large portion of the day, and activities can include anything from walking a dog to running through agility courses. To keep up with these demands, it’s vital to maintain a good level of physical fitness.
5. Problem-Solving Abilities
Every dog and owner you encounter will be unique, bringing their own set of challenges. Having good problem-solving skills will help you successfully navigate these challenges and devise training plans to fit individual needs.
How to Go About Choosing a Dog Training School
When it comes to your ambitions of becoming a dog trainer, choosing the right school is a crucial step in your journey. One of the first things you need to consider is the curriculum.
Make sure that it covers various critical areas, such as learning theory, dog behavior, training methodologies, business management, and customer service. Diverse program content will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the field.
Remember, this program is what’s going to give you the skills and tools you need to become a great dog trainer.
Here are a few things to look for when choosing a dog training school.
Practical Experience Offered
Pay particular attention to how much practical experience the programs offer. While theoretical knowledge is crucial, it’s in the hands-on training where you hone your techniques and learn to handle the unexpected that invariably arises when working with animals.
School Reputation
The reputation of the school is another critical factor. For example, the Academy for Dog Trainers and the Karen Pryor Academy are well-respected institutions known for producing highly skilled and competent dog trainers. The credibility of the school can provide invaluable leverage when you officially step into your career.
School Accreditation and Recognition
Look for schools that are accredited by a recognized industry association such as the Association of Professional Dog Trainers or the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
This accreditation is a signal of quality and adherence to professional standards. I personally chose a school accredited by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers as it aligned with my career goals.
Post-Course Completion Support
Another thing to think about is the guidance and support the school offers even after the completion of the course. As with any learning journey, you’ll inevitably have more questions once you begin applying your skills. Schools that keep the gates of guidance open will be invaluable sources of consultation as you navigate the early stages of your career.
School Resources
Do they offer access to a community of working professionals where you can exchange experiences and insights? Do they offer post-graduation job search assistance or career counseling from career experts?
Top Dog Training Schools
Securing a quality education is a critical step towards becoming a successful dog trainer. There are several top-notch training schools that can provide you with the knowledge and hands-on experience you need to thrive in this career. Here are some notable ones to look into if you’re thinking of pursuing this career.
The Animal Behavior College
Based in the USA, this institution offers one of the most sought-after dog training certifications in the world. Their program covers a broad range of topics, including dog behavior, learning theories, training techniques, and dealing with specific behavioral issues.
The curriculum is delivered both online and through hands-on internships, providing a comprehensive learning experience.
The Karen Pryor Academy
Recognized globally, this academy offers a unique, six-month Dog Trainer Professional program that blends online learning with hands-on workshops. The curriculum is centered around clicker training, a positive reinforcement technique, making this ideal if you’re particularly interested in this training method.
The Victoria Stilwell Academy
Founded by renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell, this academy offers an intensive 6-month Dog Training course that covers canine communication, behavior modification, and business building. The curriculum integrates both online learning and in-person practicums.
Canine Trade Group
For those based in the USA and looking for a flexible option, Canine Trade Group offers a home-study-online mix program. Coverage includes everything from understanding canine behavior to running a successful dog training business. Students also receive continued support after graduation.
Career Path of a Dog Trainer
The paths leading to success as a dog trainer are as diverse as the breeds you work with. The career of a dog trainer often begins with a fundamental love of dogs and a passion for improving their lives and the lives of their owners.
The first professional step usually involves gaining practical experience, often through volunteering in animal shelters, apprenticeships, or by working under the supervision of experienced trainers.
Once you have honed your skills and obtained any necessary qualifications, there are several directions you can take your dog training career.
Choosing a Specialization
Some trainers choose to specialize in a specific field, such as service dog training or behavioral rehabilitation. These specializations require additional education and experience but offer a deeper connection to the work and often a higher pay grade.
For example, as a service dog trainer, you can have the opportunity to work with and train dogs that help people with physical disabilities, mental health issues, and various health conditions. This path can be incredibly rewarding, as you’re directly contributing to improving someone’s quality of life significantly.
Setting Up Your Own Dog Training Business
You can also set up your own dog training business rather than working for another company. This path requires entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen.
It provides you with the freedom to set your own schedule, choose your clients, and perhaps even develop your courses or workshops. I’ve seen many fellow trainers find tremendous fulfillment in this route- building a thriving business and becoming an integral part of their local dog-loving community.
You might consider a progression into a position of authority and education—as a mentor or supervisor for newer trainers or even as an instructor in a dog training school.
Salary of a Dog Trainer
When it comes to becoming a dog trainer, it pays to know how much you can make in this career. In general, dog trainers earn around $20 per hour. However, those prices can vary widely depending on things like:
- Geographic location
- Experience
- Type of training you offer
Here’s a breakdown of how each of those factors affects your salary.
Geographic Location
In large urban areas where demand for dog trainers is higher, such as New York or Los Angeles, often you’ll receive a higher pay than in rural or less populous areas. However, it’s also important to take into account the cost of living in these areas. Higher income in a city doesn’t always translate into more purchasing power if the cost of living is significantly higher, too.
Experience
As with most professions, dog trainers with years of experience or special qualifications often command higher rates. For example, a dog trainer just starting in New York might charge $50 per hour, while a seasoned trainer with specialized skills (like training service dogs or aggression management) might charge $150 or more for the same duration.
Type of Training You Offer
For instance, specialized training fields such as service dog training or behavioral modification typically charge higher rates than basic obedience training.
Benefits of Being a Dog Trainer
One of the greatest benefits of being a dog trainer is the immense personal satisfaction that comes from making a positive impact on the lives of dogs and their owners. You get to see remarkable transformations that not only improve dogs’ behavior but also strengthen the bonds between dogs and their owners. For instance, helping an unruly puppy grow into a well-behaved adult dog or assisting an older rescued dog learn to trust humans again is tremendously gratifying.
Beyond just seeing your dogs and owners improve, you can also enjoy the benefits of a flexible work schedule. Trainers often have the freedom to set their own hours, which can be particularly appealing if you cherish a work-life balance. For example, one might choose to schedule training sessions early in the morning or in the evenings to accommodate clients’ needs while maintaining a comfortable personal lifestyle.
Finally, a career as a dog trainer opens up the possibility of running your own successful dog training business. This entrepreneurial path provides an opportunity to not just have a vocation you’re passionate about but also the vision to shape and grow it according to your aspirations.
Take the First Step to Becoming a Dog Trainer
In conclusion, choosing a career as a dog trainer is a decision that can lead to a personally and financially rewarding professional life. It’s a role filled with opportunities to make a positive impact – not just in the lives of dogs you’re training, but also in the lives of their owners.
When embarking on this career path, remember to be patient, both with yourself and with the dogs you’ll be training. Success may not come quickly, but with perseverance, the rewards can be immense. Imagine, for example, the satisfaction of seeing a once disobedient dog now behaving well and living a happier life with its owner.
With that said, there’s no better time than now to take that first step towards your dream career as a dog trainer! Our team of career coaches, who are passionate about helping individuals just like you, are here to help assess your unique skills and map them with your career aspirations.
Let’s work together, as we guide and support you in becoming the best dog trainer you can be, confidently navigating the path towards your exciting, fulfilling future!