Dog training can be an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable career. There are a variety of angles you can take. You could become an obedience trainer, a trainer of police and security dogs, a service dog trainer, or do it all as a master dog trainer.
Building up a good reputation will help you build a client base, which will mean you’ll be making good money. But before you dive in headfirst, you should decide if the world of dog training is right for you. If you’re even considering joining the field, you’re likely a lover of dogs. But here’s what else to consider before becoming a dog trainer:
Your Passion and Patience
You love dogs, sure, but are you passionate enough about them to take this important job on? Will you be able to continue to be excited and passionate about your work after spending many hours of the week working with dogs? Most dog training work currently exists in the obedience training area. Do you have the patience to work with puppies who are not yet well-behaved and new owners who know next to nothing about training a dog?
Flexible Schedule
When you get into the field of dog training, you might have to accept that you won’t be able to keep regular work hours. You’ll have to meet with clients when their schedule allows. This means your schedule will be inconsistent, of course, but it also means you’ll have to work both early in the morning and late at night. If there’s anything in your life preventing you from keeping such a schedule, you’ll have to reconcile that before you begin your career.
Training and Certifications
This field is not something you can just jump into because you’ve been around dogs your whole life. Clients are going to expect to see some credentials, especially early in your career. That’s why it’s so important to become certified. This process will take several weeks and cost you a fee up front. But if you take your work seriously, this will pay off many times in the long term.
If you’ve decided that dog training is the right career for you, consider getting your certification at Dog Trainer College. We can help you becoming certified as an obedience trainer, master trainer, K-9 trainer, service dog trainer, and more. Call 800-795-4201 today to learn more about our online and in-person classes.
