I recently wrote a blog on Dog Obedience Training – Four Key Elements, which discusses one of the most basic principles anyone who wants to know how to become a dog trainer must know.However, within those four elements, there are two that are most often misunderstood by professional dog trainers – criteria and rate of reinforcement. The level of training to become a guide dog trainer is high and the compensation is often low. A dog trainer is called a dog obedience trainer, an animal trainer, or an obedience trainer. It may sound or look easy but when you begin, you’ll be nagging too. But your potential future clients will need help with all kinds of behaviors, so you need hands-on experience with whatever you might be required to teach. To become a dog trainer, you'll need at least a high school diploma and previous experience working with animals. You won’t be able to problem-solve for your clients or adapt your techniques to a given situation if you don’t understand the principles behind your techniques. Earn your accredited, affordable Veterinary-Related career diploma or degree online with Penn Foster! Becoming a certified dog trainer is not as difficult as it may seem. By graduating from our program, you’ll have extensive knowledge and hands-on training. To become a qualified guide dog trainer, applicants will need to be eighteen years old or over and possess three G.C.S.E passes at grade c or above, or the equivalent. Become a licensed plumber in your home state. Course requirements include: 1. Hi I'm Katy :) I am just a girl that loves animals and is trying to figure out life. Some community colleges and trade schools offer courses and specialization classes if you’re interested in becoming more experienced and certified. The skills to become a dog trainer take a lot of practice! Dog trainers can cover wide ranges such as basic obedience to highly-specialized service dogs. Many courses claim to prepare you for a career as a dog trainer in a matter of weeks. Your main job as a trainer will be to teach your clients how to do the training for themselves. The Association was set up in order to give dog owners the assurance that if they are taught by a member, they will be taught correctly and with up-to-date, non aversive training methods. You’ll also need to pass an examination. When you’re ready to offer the world your services, do so with a splash. However, if you’ve done all the hard work, why not prove it to your clients. However, if you’re running your own dog training business, you can anticipate to spend a bit of money to get your company going. Hands-on learning with staff in all areas of dog training 3. Check with local dog trainers in your area to see if anybody is willing to take you on as an apprentice or assistant. Founded in 1884, the AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for dogs. How to Become a Dog Trainer While you don’t need a degree to become a dog trainer, you will need to at least complete high school and have experience working with dogs. There is no required education or licensing in order to become a dog trainer, so if you’re planning to jumpstart your career with your own research or experience, you’ll be able to get into the swing of things in just a few months. That being said, if you wish to succeed as a dog trainer, you’ll need to take education into your own hands. Written tests and skill assessments in areas of dog behavior, psychology, temperament and communication Consider taking courses on your own time and shoot for certifications in order to put yourself ahead of the rest of the dog trainers in your market. They train people. A dog trainer performs a variety of tasks that all essentially boil down to training a dog to perform the functions he or she has been trained to do. To be eligible for the examination, you have to: √ A minimum of 300 hours’ experience in dog training within the last 3 years. Snapchat: ktschink Instagram: xoxokaty Twitter: xoxoxkaty At the high end, some dog obedience trainers make up to $53,000 yearly, and up to $150 per hour. This might mean working with reactive dogs or those with separation anxiety or other issues. Dog training is an incredibly rewarding career, especially if you’re inspired by, drawn to, and love animals. All that experience will help to hone your abilities. Dog trainers are being fast tracked into full-time careers much quicker as their demand grows. You can take up Shirin Merchant’s certified behavioural courses to become one Book work 4. Work alongside with pets, a very fulfilling career option! Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA®) measures a broad range of knowledge and skills in ethology, learning theory, dog training technique, and instruction. Check around your area for possible mentors, or work with pet stores to see if they’ll train you and grant you the experience you need. 1 You can stand out from the competition by getting your dog training certification from Animal Behavior College. The job outlook is positive. Next, look into certification. This Association is the largest professional group of dog trainers in the world and they offer various seminars, newsletters, courses, and training tips. Plus, your membership will provide you access to information and courses that will keep you up to date on all the latest training advancements. Our program is not only available in Hawaii, but also across the United States, with professional mentor trainers in every state. It’s common for dog lovers looking for a career change to consider dog training as an option. It also depends on how good you are, and the better you get at it, the more people come to you willingly. Learn about welding in your state – a career with a short training period! Work as an apprentice with a dog trainer, develop your own training methods, and work with someone who’s experienced with training dogs. Become a dog trainer. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, dog trainers (classified as animal trainers) have an estimated salary of about $33.600 per year. For example, to earn the title of Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, you need to complete a minimum of 300 hours of experience training dogs in the last three years as well as pass a 180-question multiple-choice exam. The top earning state in the field is Kentucky, where the average salary is $56,710. If the challenges, rewards, salary, and job outlook line up with your goals and your life, go for it! Would you mind discussing a bit more with me about your job? I just need to go through this guide and I am well off on my way to begin considering a career in dog training. Learn about becoming an LPN in your state, it’s in demand! Now that you’ve been gifted with all of this stellar information, you’re probably wondering, “should I actually become a dog trainer?”. You don’t need formal qualifications, but going on an Dog Training Essentials course, like those run by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and finding a ‘mentor’ (another, more experienced trainer) to learn from are likely to be helpful when starting out. Ever wondered what it takes to become a certified dog trainer in Florida? You don’t need any formal education or certification to call yourself a dog trainer. The top earning state in the field is Kentucky, where the average salary is $27.26. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics really gave an accurate estimated salary for dog trainers and though some persons may want to compare it with the hard work involved, it’s still worth it. Whether you want to become a better trainer of your own dogs or are ready to start your journey towards working with dogs professionally, VSA’s course offerings have something for everyone. https://www.akc.org/subscription/thank-you. Learn how to become a home health aide in your state. How you become a dog trainer is you seek out the most talented, professional and accomplished dog trainer with the right kind of education, expertise and experience to teach you everything you need to know about how to be a dog trainer. Ahh. Trainers are eligible for the CCPDT’s dog trainer “knowledge assessed” certification if they can show that they have at least 300 hours of experience as a dog trainer, and that 75 percent of those hours were spent leading classes as a head trainer. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. Become a dog trainer might seem like an easy process because there are no specific requirements that permit you to become a dog trainer — and because there are no regulations in the industry — but there’s far more to being a successful dog trainer than simply having a bond with animals. The goal is to make money and stay in business for decades. Now that you’ve worked with dogs and people, and taken the courses, you’re ready to jump into dog training. If you work with an organization who covers these costs, it’s not terribly expensive. © The American Kennel Club, Inc. 2020. Find physical therapist assistant schools in your area. Therefore, part of becoming a dog trainer is educating yourself in those areas. We understand that there are many courses available, some better than others. A secret about dog training is that most dog trainers don’t train dogs. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. In fact, the average yearly salary for dog trainers in some states exceeds the national average by going over $40,000 annually. Membership in organizations like this will show your clients you are serious about your new profession. Join us as we introduce you to a world full of dog fun! A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent is required to work as a dog trainer. Try volunteering at your local dog rescue, animal shelter or humane society. I’ve read tons on the matter, but never spoken to someone who does it as their job and I have a lot of questions. Dog trainers earn a national average salary of about $33,600 yearly; however, some dog trainers have reported making up to $53,000 yearly ($150 hourly). If you become certified with them, you’ll need to  continually work on your dog training education in order to keep your certification with this group. The possibilities for dog training are virtually endless as people will always need someone to explain and teach them how to wrangle their pets correctly. California's Bergin University of Canine Studies is considered a top school for prospective service dog trainers. The Basic five commands e-book is a great place to start and will give your dog a strong foundation for future training. As a dog trainer, or a dog obedience trainer, you’ll teach dogs the basic commands and skills the need in order to behave, act politely, and function in society. There is no pressure to complete the qualification within a certain time scale. Learn how to become a dental assistant in your state. They must also have a full and current driving licence. There’s currently no requirement, course, or exam that dog trainers need to pass, but if you don’t know anything about dog behavior, you’re not going to make for a very good dog trainer. Our nationally renowned program can help make that dream a reality. Even if you prefer pets to people, you need the ability to motivate your clients, shape their abilities, and reinforce their successes. * Employment conditions in your area may vary. All rights reserved. However, your clients might not be so patient. We offer in-person and online K9 training, and our dog facility is nationally recognized for producing hardworking, well-trained law enforcement dogs. All in all, you don’t need any certifications or licenses to act as a dog trainer. Dog training is based on the science of animal behavior, so look for schools whose curricula are scientifically sound. Get started with a career as an electrician in your state. Lastly, never stop learning! In this article, we’ll explore some of the skills you’ll need to develop in order to become a successful dog trainer, the steps you can take to get your dog training career on track, and what your job outlook projects for this career path. Demand for dog lovers looking for a career with a career as a note, though, dog trainers the! Alongside with pets, a good dog trainer — knowledge Assessed this will verify that you do, though dog! Is that most dog trainers and gain experience with their clients forgive your mistakes being fast into! Will always need someone to explain and teach them how to become professionally certified in the industry s. Facility is nationally recognized for producing hardworking, well-trained, and experience under your belt, a... A high school diploma or equivalent is required to obtain continuing education credits on a journey to a full! On their hands you need to pass an exam wanted to speak someone! 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