How to Become a Dog Trainer in 5 Steps

As a dog trainer, you’ll do more than teach dogs basic tricks and commands. However, all dog trainers should have a solid grasp of how to train dogs on a few basic skills. Generally speaking, you can expect to have the following job responsibilities:

• Develop custom training plans
• Train dogs in basic obedience (e.g., “sit,” “stay,” and “come”)
• Train dogs on leash etiquette (e.g., loose leash walking and walking to heel)
• Teach dogs proper house training
• Resolve dog behavioral issues
• Conduct assessments and record the results
• Communicate with and advise dog owners

It’s also worth mentioning one crucial but often unspoken duty of a dog trainer: training the dog owner. All the work you put into training will go to waste if you don’t teach each dog’s human how to use those training tools and techniques appropriately, accurately, and consistently.

Dog trainer vs. dog behaviorist

The terms “dog trainer” and “dog behaviorist” are often used interchangeably, and there’s no fundamental difference in their meaning. However, according to one experienced dog professional, there’s an unwritten rule that the term “dog behaviorist” is reserved for certified dog trainers, whereas anyone can call themselves a “dog trainer.”

Dog behaviorists are often considered experts in animal behavior science. They help owners better understand their dogs’ behaviors while simultaneously teaching the dog and owner better strategies to deal with issues like destructive chewing, aggression, separation anxiety, barking, or mounting.

One common reason that pet parents hire dog trainers is to help resolve these types of behavioral issues. While standard dog trainers can help achieve this goal to a certain extent, sometimes specialist support is needed from a qualified dog behavior modification trainer.

Types of dog training

Many dog trainers stop with the basics, their main goal being to teach doggies good behavior for living alongside humans and other animals at home, in public spaces, or at the dog park. However, some specialize in specific types of dog training, helping to prepare dogs for serious, full-time professions.

Below are a few examples of professional dog training niches you can get into:

• Law enforcement: Train sniffer dogs to work with the police to detect illegal substances such as drugs or bombs.
• Search and rescue: Teach dogs how to recognize and follow a particular scent while ignoring distractions to locate missing people or animals or find their remains.
• Disability services: Train service dogs to provide guidance or assistance to people with physical disabilities or mobility limitations. These could be guide dogs (i.e., seeing-eye dogs), hearing dogs, diabetic alert dogs, or seizure alert dogs.
• Therapy: Prepare emotional support dogs to provide comfort and support to people with anxiety, depression, or other mental health problems.
• Guarding/protection: Train dogs on how to safely and effectively guard people, spaces, or personal property from theft or intrusion.
• Herding: Train herd dogs or sheep dogs to herd animals on a farm without harming or attacking them.
• Acting: Teach dogs how to respond to specific cues and commands in the context of film or television productions.

In addition to specializing according to the type of role the dog will fill, you could also become a puppy trainer. This type of work is a lot of fun since you spend your day with puppies, but it can be hard work and a lot of responsibility.

If you decide to pursue a specialized form of dog training, be prepared to work hard to get the required education and certifications. Since these subfields expand beyond simple pet ownership, they may be subject to formal regulations.

While you may be able to convince friends and family to let you train their dogs, you’ll need a refined set of skills, demonstrated experience, and maybe even a certification in order to make a living as a professional dog trainer.

Essential skills for dog trainers

Here are the most important skills for dog trainers to have:

• Physical strength and stamina
• Problem-solving
• Customer service
• People skills
• Verbal and nonverbal dog communication skills

In addition to these skills, there are certain personality traits that make for a better dog trainer, including confidence, compassion, patience, and focus. Dog trainers also need to master a certain techniques, such as dog handling, recognition of behavior and body signals, use of voice commands, operant conditioning, and clicker training.

Education requirements

There are no strict education or degree requirements for becoming a general dog trainer. Since many dog trainers are self-employed, the eligibility criteria are fairly lax. With that said, you can’t just call yourself a dog trainer and expect to succeed. Actual dog training knowledge is absolutely essential.

Plenty of qualified dog trainers are self-taught, with knowledge based on personal experience and research into dog behavior. Others choose to pursue a dog training certification, which involves taking a course or program.

It takes time to become a dog trainer. Certification isn’t required at the start, but extensive hands-on practice is.

1. Learn the basics of dog training

Start by educating yourself on the underlying principles and core techniques used in dog training. There are different resources that can help, such as books and webinars on dog behavior.

Here are a few trusted institutions that offer dog training classes and resources:

• Association of Professional Dog Trainers (ADPT): Offers a mix of free and paid courses as well as webinars.
• Karen Pryor Academy: Offers shorter courses as well as online and on-site dog trainer certificate programs.
• e-Training for Dogs: Offers individual courses, professional programs, and lectures for dog professionals and owners.

As long as you choose a good mix of educational sources, you’ll master the basics in no time.

2. Get certified

You can become a dog trainer without a certification. However, becoming a certified dog trainer makes it much easier to find new jobs and clients.

The best place to go for dog certification training is the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). The CCPDT offers two tracks—one for dog trainers and one for behavior consultants. However, to become a certified dog trainer with the CCPDT, you need to meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Have 300 hours of training experience from the last 3 years
• Pass a comprehensive exam
• Get a signed Attestation Statement from an approved CCPDT associate or professional

You’ll also have to get recertified every 3 years and comply with the CCPDT’s code of ethics and training policies. If this doesn’t sound right for you, there are several other dog training certifications you can explore; just do your research first to ensure you’re getting a legit certification.

Professional dog training associations

Even if you don’t become certified, you can impress potential clients or employers by joining a professional dog training organization like the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP).

Membership comes with various benefits, including the chance to appear in the “Find a Professional” dog trainer database, discounts on relevant products and insurance, and access to members-only Facebook groups.

3. Practice training your dog and other dogs

You can train your dog using books and classes as guides. On top of that, you should take your dog through the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program offered by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

The training program is meant to improve your dog’s manners as well as your ability to teach and guide them. To complete the program, your dog will have to pass 10 tests, which include tasks like politely walking through a crowd, coming when called from 20 feet away, and reacting calmly to distractions.

Once you’ve mastered these good behaviors with your dog, practice your training skills on other dogs. There are various ways to do this:

• Reach out to friends and family members
• Volunteer at a local dog shelter
• Get an apprenticeship with a local dog training business

Once you feel confident with your dog handling and training skills, it’s time to put yourself out there as a professional.

4. Write your resume and build a website

At this point, you can write your professional dog trainer resume. It should include a short bio and the following information:

• Professional experience
• Training and apprenticeships
• Education (general as well as related to dog training)
• Certifications
• Contact information (e.g., email address and phone number)
• Links to your website and any professional social media profiles you have

You should also create a website for your dog training services. Although your dog trainer profile may appear in online directories, having a website will lend an air of credibility to your business.

Having your own website will also give you space to show off photos, videos, and testimonials from satisfied clients and help people find your business in local search results when they search for “dog trainer near me.”

5. Get your first dog training gig

You don’t have to wait for dog owners to come and find you. Search for organizations in your area to see if anyone is hiring dog trainers. You might be surprised where you find your first gig.

Here are a few good places to start your job search:

• Dog training schools
• Animal shelters
• Veterinary offices
• Doggy daycares
• Pet supply stores

Getting your start at one of these places might not be what you envisioned, but it will allow you to grow your experience and reputation over time while earning a part-time living from it. When you’re ready, you can officially launch your own dog training business.

Dog training is a great side hustle. It’s one of the rare jobs that allows you to spend time with animals, earn decent money, and make the world a better place (both for dogs and humans). However, because you need certain personality traits to thrive as a dog trainer, it’s not for everyone.

Some people may find themselves overwhelmed by the high level of responsibility involved, negative emotions from dogs with behavioral problems, or pressure from clients. Give some thought to the advantages and disadvantages of this career path before starting a dog training side hustle.

One notable drawback to becoming a dog trainer is the high level of competition in the industry, and you’ll feel the squeeze more if you’re uncertified. It can be difficult to convince dog parents to hire you if you have little to show for your expertise aside from your own pet ownership experience. That said, if you acquire enough education and experience, you’ll be able to break into the industry.

How much do dog trainers make?

On average, dog trainers in the United States make $17.37 per hour, according to Indeed. 1 On the low end of the spectrum, dog trainers might earn as little as $7.54 per hour, whereas on the high end, experienced, certified, and specialist dog trainers make up to $38.99 per hour.

Alternatives to dog training

If you love dogs but don’t feel like dog training is right for you, there are other related side hustles you can explore. Here are a couple that might speak to your dog-loving sensibilities:

• Pet sitting
• Dog walking

These are options that have a low barrier to entry and give you a ton of flexibility in how much you work and earn. They also give you the same opportunity to get paid to spend time with your canine friends. If you’re up to the task, you could even try them all.