Dog Training Career - What to expect becoming a dog trainer!

If you’re interested in pursuing a professional dog training career, it’s important to understand what that means and what it takes. Many people think that there’s just one type of dog trainer out there — the kind who teaches classes or gives lessons at home — but this isn’t always the case. In fact, many professionals work with both their own dogs and those belonging to clients as part of their day-to-day job duties. But how do you get started?

intern dog training holding a tennis ball with german shephard

What is it like Being a Dog Trainer?

8 AM – Wake up and get ready for the day.

Make coffee and do whatever you need to do to start your day.

It’s 9 AM, and you’re on your way. In a car full of professional equipment, you’ll be ready to work with the dog in the client’s home. Be sure to bring everything you need: Your first aid kit and a thermos full of hot coffee are essential if there are any injuries while working with an aggressive dog (and sometimes they can happen). You also want to make sure that all your tools and treats are nearby because it’s easy for dogs to get distracted by them.

Work with the dog at a park. The best way to train your dog is by playing with him. When you’re working in an area where there are no other stimuli, it’s essential to make sure that your dog is comfortable and relaxed. If you’re working on obedience training, this means finding somewhere where there aren’t any distractions—like traffic or people walking past—in order to give yourself more time for practice sessions and less stress on both partners.

Lunch break by 12 pm

Then you spend the rest of the day attending to a couple more clients before going home.

It is intense work but rewarding. You get to spend time with dogs, help people, and learn new things. You also meet some cool people that may have yet to be able to get their dog trained by anyone else.

Pros and Cons of Being a Dog Trainer

Being a dog trainer can be a rewarding career, but it also requires serious commitment and focus. The main advantage of being a dog trainer is that you get to work with dogs every day. 

Here are some pros and cons when deciding whether dog training is right for you.

Pros

  • You get to work with dogs.
  • You can make a good living.
  • You can help people, especially those who are having trouble with their pets and need guidance on how to train them better. Many dog trainers are also animal behaviorists who specialize in helping problem pets through these kinds of issues (like aggression or anxiety).
  • Dogs are fun! They’re always so sweet! And if you’ve ever been around one before, then you know how much they love playing fetch or going for walks in the park—and these things give us all a chance at relaxation during our hectic day-to-day lives.

Cons

  • You have to be able to work with all kinds of dogs, not just the ones you like.
  • It can take a lot of work to get enough clients when starting.
  • You have to be able to tolerate different dog owners.

Being a dog trainer is a rewarding career, but it can be very challenging. You will have to work hard and long hours to achieve your goals and to make sure that your clients are happy with what they are getting out of their dogs.

How to Become a Dog Trainer

If you’re looking to become a professional dog trainer, it’s not just about how well you can train dogs. You need to consider your education and certification before pursuing this career path. Read on for more details on what these things are, how they affect your chances of success, and where best to find them.

Getting Proper Education

As a professional dog trainer, you must have proper education. You can learn at a community college or university and take courses in behaviorism and environmental enrichment. 

The most important thing is that your education is accredited by a professional organization such as the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) or Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). If you hold either of these certifications, it will be easier for you to find employment in this field.

Several state-based associations certify trainers based on their knowledge and experience with dogs—these include the New York State Board of Veterinary Medicine (NYSBVM) and the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). These organizations offer different certifications depending on which state they’re located in; however, all require passing exams similar to those required by APDT/CCPDT before granting certification status.

Getting Adequate Experience

You will need to gain experience working with different breeds of dogs, ages, and types of behaviors. It would be best if you also worked in different environments, such as houses or kennels. In addition to this, it is essential that you have at least three years of experience as a professional dog trainer before applying for your first job.

Getting Certified

If you’re interested in building a reputable dog trainer career, finding the right certification program is important. A certification program should:

  • Prepare you for the industry by teaching communication skills and providing education on common problems that arise in training dogs.
  • Help you develop your own unique approach to training dogs and how best to use different techniques.
  • Provide resources so that you can continue learning throughout your career as a professional dog trainer (for example, online classes).

How much do Dog Trainers Make?

While the average salary for a dog trainer is $30K to $40K, some trainers earn an average of $100K per year. Most new dog trainers in large cities make between $20 and $40 per hour.

The average salary for dog trainers in the US is about $42,000 annually. This figure was based on a study conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

You may be surprised to learn that dog trainers in the United States are paid an average of $15-$25 an hour. This figure includes part-time and full-time positions, which means you can earn as much as $30,000 a year working for yourself or a company.

It’s important to note that these numbers are based on the size of your business and the cost of living in your area. If you’re just starting out as a trainer and don’t have many clients yet, it may take longer than expected for you to break even financially.