Getting a job as a professional dog trainer can be a very satisfying and fulfilling decision.  Not only do you get to enjoy the perks of having a steady income, but you also get to meet more of our four-legged friends and their two-legged, dog-loving owners.  Whether you are looking to enter into the profession of dog training as part-time work for extra income or for a more permanent career move, dog training can be a rewarding experience.  Read on for a quick guide on how to become a professional dog trainer.

Step 1:  Assess your career move

Before you consider any kind of career move, whether it’s your first job or not, you should make sure to conduct a realistic assessment of your situation.  Some of the factors that you should think about if you’re considering a career as a dog trainer include your skills and personality, schooling, family life, and, most especially, how you feel about dogs and dog training.  You may also want to evaluate your financial situation and your career objective, in general, to see if dog training can help you attain your goals.  Once you have reflected on your situation, you will be in a better position to make crucial decisions regarding this career move.

Step 2:  Do your research on dog training

The next step to becoming a dog trainer is to do your research on the profession.  Dog training is not just about getting along with dogs, but you will also be required to do a fair amount of studying so you can get to know more about dog care, dog breeds, and training techniques.  Gather as much information as you can about dog training.  Watch videos, read books, go to seminars, attend workshops, and interact with other trainers.  One of the best ways to get educated about dogs and dog training is to attend a school for dog training.  Check out relevant and authoritative websites such as http://www.dog-training-usa.com/ and http://www.nationalpetregister.org/dir/dog-training.htm to find some of the dog training schools near you.

Step 3:  Find out the requirements

While doing your research, you should also be familiar with the requirements for becoming a dog trainer.  Although you don’t necessarily have to be a certified one to become the neighborhood trainer, having certification can help you get jobs at dog training schools and camps.  Some schools grant certificates after you complete their courses.  In most cases, you will have to take examinations and pass background checks to get certified for professional dog training.  For example, the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT at http://www.ccpdt.org) has scheduled certification exams twice every year.  If you are serious about dog training as a career, then you should do your best to obtain a national dog trainer certification from CCPDT.

Step 4:  Be committed to becoming a full-fledged dog trainer

Now that you have all the information that you need, it’s time to pursue your career in dog training.  You may want to start out by training the dogs of your friends, so you can get a hang of the tasks.  Those who are certified or are more qualified in dog training may want to consider being affiliated with a dog training center or school.  Also, you may opt to join professional organizations of dog trainers such as the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT at http://www.apdt.com/).  When you’re a member of these organizations, you can freely interact with other members and share effective techniques and best practices on dog training.

Step 5:  Start your own dog training business

As you gain experience in the profession of dog training, you may want to start your own dog training business.  Whether it is a dog training school, dog boot camp, or just a home-based business, there are lots of entrepreneurial opportunities for you in the world of dog training.  Just make sure that you analyze your business strategy carefully or consult business advisers on the feasibility of your plan.

One Response to “How To Become A Dog Trainer”

1. taylor says:

   September 29, 2009 at 2:48 am

   this is a really cool bog.
   (found it through chitika)

   I thought about making one called, “is it possible,” with the same sort of theme you’re running.

   however, i have multiple blogs that I already manage so that’d be difficult.

   anyway, good idea.