How to become A Dog Trainer

• Dog Behaviourist
• Dog Instructor
• Dog Obedience Trainer

What do Dog Trainers do?

A Dog Trainer would typically need to:

• Train dogs using various training techniques adapted to each dog’s personality, attributes and needs and owners’ expectations
• Hold discussions with the client to understand their dog’s specific training requirements, capabilities and behavioural concerns
• Develop appropriate training plans for different dogs and document the training process and progress of each dog 
• Teach dogs to obey basic commands or display specific behaviours which may not come naturally to them, using positive and negative reinforcement to ensure that the dog learns the commands correctly
• Discipline dogs when they misbehave or do not follow commands
• Observe and identify any further behavioural concerns and inform the clients about them
• Implement suitable training plans to tackle specific issues, such as aggression, separation anxiety, hyperactivity, and biting
• Help dog owners become comfortable with commanding their dogs by training them and providing coursework for them and their dogs to complete 
• Teach owners how to enforce and maintain the desired behaviour and skills learned by their dogs
• Train dogs for specific tasks, including hunting, emotional support, disability aid, or service training 
• Ensure clean and tidy training areas and equipment
• Schedule and manage training session appointments with clients and organise payments
• Provide dogs with adequate water, food and exercise when necessary
• Monitor dogs’ health, diet and behaviour; examine them for injuries or signs of illnesses, especially contagious ones caught in group settings

Dog Trainers work for small businesses, often owned by more experienced trainers. They may also freelance or be self-employed, running their own business, or pay home visits to deliver one-on-one training. Training sessions typically occur in spacious outdoor facilities, such as a garden or a field. 

Travel during the day may be required, especially when providing home visits.

Since Dog Trainers are usually self-employed, they have some flexibility in their work schedules.

Most trainers work full-time jobs, but part-time work is also possible in the field. Dog Trainers who work in facilities such as kennels, animal shelters and stables that operate around the clock may need to be available 24/7 to respond to emergencies with the animals. Those who work specifically with service dogs tend to work 37 hours a week, Monday through Friday. Classes may take place during holidays, at night or on weekends.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Dog Trainers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at local animal organisations.

Dog Trainers are generally employed by:

• Dog Training Facilities
• Veterinarians
• Dog Shelters
• Dog Groomers
• Pet Stores
• Recreation Departments
• Clubs & Breed Clubs
• Zoos
• Stables 
• Kennel
• Recreation Departments

Union Membership / Professional Organisations
Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), are crucial for Dog Trainers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Dealing with diverse weather conditions due to outdoor work
• Exhaustion from the physical demands of the job, such as moving and cleaning cages and exercising dogs
• Distress from complex and emotionally demanding situations, such as dogs being sick or passing away, or having to train dogs who have been abused, injured, or are sick 
• Frustration from dealing with animals who might not respond to training
• The danger of bites, scratches, kicks, or other physical harm when working with scared or aggressive dogs
• Lack of adequate job opportunities when freelancing

Given the field, a Dog Trainer can best acquire experience by working with their own dogs. Caring for your pet will expose you to canine behaviour and the responsibilities of owning a healthy and well-trained dog. You may also take your dog to obedience and training classes to understand the ins and outs of the business.

If owning a dog is off the cards, you may gain experience by volunteering to care for the dogs of friends or neighbours or at an animal shelter, veterinarian’s office or dog rescue centres, or training dogs at local breed clubs. Voluntary work with dogs may also allow you to use a variety of training techniques.

Any formal educational course that a potential Dog Trainer pursues typically requires a period of supervised experience, such as an internship. You will gain optimal benefit from your tasks outside of the classroom when they line up perfectly with your lessons inside it. You may get to hear countless stories from more experienced professionals and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they manage to turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.

Aspiring Dog Trainers may also gather experience through intermediate apprenticeships as assistants in animal care & welfare facilities and then move into higher apprenticeships to train animals. You may also apprentice with independent Dog Trainers or local dog training facilities and try to create innovative but kind, safe and effective training methods. Inquire with local pet stores if they will offer to train you to give you some hands-on experience in the field.

Read about the profession and interview or job shadow expert Dog Trainers to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers. 

The minimum requirement to become a Dog Trainer is a high school diploma or equivalent. 

A typical route for aspiring Dog Trainers is to enrol in formal educational courses relating to dog training. You may choose from those available at dog trainer schools, vocational schools, private training schools, community colleges, and online. These courses focus on biology, the history of dog training, animal learning, dog behaviour, and lesson design.

Some employers may prefer candidates with post-secondary qualifications, such as an associate or bachelor’s degree in zoology.

High school courses in biology and psychology are helpful for aspiring Dog Trainers.

Depending on your formal educational course, you may need certification to work as a professional Dog Trainer. In places where it is not necessary, certification can still be useful as it demonstrates a Dog Trainer’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. Certification from a reputable organisation can also give you an advantage in the job market and holds you to a Code of Ethics.

Some professional associations and government-approved private vocational and trade schools offer voluntary certification for Dog Trainers provided they fulfil the requisite criteria, including recent training experience. You must also engage in continuing education (CE) to renew your certification. 

Some countries require Dog Trainers to be licensed. Individual government entities conduct the licensing process, typically requiring an application, processing fees, an examination, and relevant education and experience.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years. 

Dog Trainers usually start in freelance jobs or work at animal facilities. With experience, they may become Area Team Supervisors, Training Managers or Regional Managers at the facility where they work. They may also start their own business with different trainers and provide services such as private dog training or dog behaviour classes. 

As Dog Trainers gain experience and knowledge, they may specialise in different training areas, such as police dogs or service dogs that aid the disabled. Specific certification, further studies and a vast amount of experience are generally required to carry out these specialised jobs.

Dog Trainers may also work in related roles, such as Veterinary Clinic Assistant, Laboratory Animal Caretaker, Farmer, Rancher, or Agricultural Manager. While experience with animal behaviour may suffice for these roles, you would need to fulfil specialist academic qualifications and other criteria, such as training and certification, required for jobs such as Veterinary Nurse, Police Dog Trainer, or Assistance Dog Trainer. To become Veterinary Technologists or Technicians, you would need to complete a relevant bachelor’s or associate degree to assist veterinarians in medical testing for animal care.

You could also become a lecturer on courses for aspiring Dog Trainers. Eventually, you could launch your business to provide dog training.

Candidates with adequate experience working with dogs, knowledge of different training techniques, and the necessary education have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Dog Trainer build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, 

formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge. You may also need to pursue CPD if you wish to renew your certification or licence or maintain your membership in professional associations. 

Hands-on experience is the most valuable type of learning in this field. Dog Trainers typically learn through on-the-job training by watching and shadowing more experienced trainers, picking up skills and expertise as they work alongside them. 

Further educational opportunities are available, which primarily focus on building your practical experience. In some of these programs, students work with mentor trainers who provide invaluable real-life experience to enhance their dog training skills. 

You can also specialise in training dogs for hunting, search & rescue missions, or providing emotional support or disability aid.

Dog Trainers not only train dogs, but they also train people! They teach dog owners how to enforce and maintain the behaviours and commands that the dog learned in the training sessions. The success of a dog’s training depends largely on the human’s compliance with the program. Dogs don’t learn unless their owners keep repeating commands and rewarding them when adequate. 

Dog Trainers can provide basic obedience training (sit, walk, stay, roll over) along with the owner or move on to more specialised training. They can train dogs for search & rescue, hunting, law enforcement, working with livestock, therapy, entertainment, dog shows and sports, protection and detection. They can also help owners with specific issues with their dogs, including managing aggression, hyperactivity, fear, separation anxiety, insecurity, and destructive behaviours such as inappropriate elimination, excessive barking, and biting. 

Dog Trainers may choose to follow any number of dog training methods. Some tried-and-true methods are the Koehler method, clicker training, dominance-based training, negative reinforcement and relationship-based training. A Dog Trainer must understand a dog’s personality to select the correct training method, keeping in mind that accurately-timed reinforcement and consistent communication help train dogs successfully. 

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Dog Trainers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

On the other hand, a full-time Dog Trainer has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Puppies need to chew to stimulate the loss of their baby teeth and help align permanent ones. They should not be punished for chewing up forbidden objects but be given appropriate chew toys.

It is no exaggeration to say that Dog Trainers can be life savers. Often, humans may give a dog up to a shelter due to behavioural concerns. Dog Trainers can step in and address these issues to help create a calm, friendly and happy dog. Dog Trainers work to make a significant difference in the lives of both dogs and owners. If you are an animal lover searching for a rewarding career, look no further.

Just like humans, all dogs are different. A dog’s personality, attributes and character all play a role in how they understand and learn, so before you train a dog, get to know them! Understanding when and how to use different training methods is the best way to ensure that dogs learn what you teach them.