Should YOU Become a Dog Trainer?

Should you become a dog trainer? Well, let’s see… Are you an animal lover with a passion for teaching? If so, then this career path may be PERFECT for you!

Dog training is a growing industry that offers many opportunities for both personal and professional growth. It can be very rewarding to help dogs learn how to behave properly and make their owners happy. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros of becoming a dog trainer, provide some background information about this profession, and reveal some tips on how to get started in this exciting field.

So if you’re considering a career change, read on!

Should You Become a Dog Trainer?

What Does a Dog Trainer Do?

A dog trainer is responsible for teaching obedience, manners, and behaviors to dogs. This can be done through private sessions, group classes, or even online sessions. Trainers may also work with owners to help them better understand their dogs and how to train them effectively.

Dog trainers typically specialize in a particular area of training, such as puppy training, obedience training, agility training, and more. Some trainers may also offer behavior modification services to help dogs with specific behavioral issues.

What Qualities Do You Need to Be a Dog Trainer?

So, what does it take to be a successful dog trainer?

First and foremost, you must have a genuine love for dogs. You should also be patient, as training can sometimes be frustrating for both the trainer and the dog. It’s important to be able to stay calm in difficult situations and have a lot of patience.

Next, you must also be able to effectively communicate with both dogs and their owners. This includes being able to understand body language, vocal cues, and energy levels. As a trainer, you’ll need to be able to adjust your teaching style to fit each individual dog’s needs.

Last but not least, you must be willing to continue learning throughout your career. The field of dog training is always evolving, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest training techniques and research.

Do You Need Professional Training to Become a Dog Trainer?

You may be wondering if you need professional training to become a dog trainer. The answer is, it depends.

While there are many successful trainers who are self-taught, it’s not the route we recommend taking. The reason for this is because, completing a professional dog training program can give you the skills and knowledge you need to truly succeed in this field. Professional programs – such as the online program offered by QC Pet Studies – typically include coursework in animal behavior, learning theory, and obedience training.

In addition to formal education, it’s also important to get experience working with dogs. This can be done through volunteering at shelters or rescue organizations, taking on private clients, or working as an assistant at a dog training facility.

How Much Do Dog Trainers Get Paid?

The amount of money you make will depend on a number of factors, such as:

That said, here are the average annual salaries for dog trainers, based on a few example countries:

Again, it’s important to remember that where you fall on this scale may vary. But if you’re willing to put in the work and give this career path your all, you can absolutely make a comfortable, full-time living as a dog trainer!

How Long Does It Take to Become a Dog Trainer?

The amount of time it takes to become a dog trainer will also depend on a few factors, such as:

However, based on the average length of time it takes to become a fully qualified dog trainer in different countries, we see that it typically falls between 12 months and 36 months.

Is a Dog Trainer Worth The Money?

This will be a question that many prospective clients will have prior to hiring you. And frankly, it’s a valid question! After all, there are plenty of free dog training resources available online.

So, why would someone want to pay for your services?

Well, the answer is simple: yes! This is because you offer value that they cannot get from a blog post or YouTube video. You offer a personal touch and customized attention that can help their dog in ways they may not be able to achieve on their own.

In other words, as a professional dog trainer, you have the ability to change lives – both human and canine! And that is an extremely valuable skill!

Pros of Becoming a Dog Trainer

So, what are the real benefits of becoming a dog trainer? Here are just a few…

You get to work with dogs!

This is probably the number one reason why people become dog trainers. And it’s easy to see why! Dogs are amazing creatures that have the ability to brighten even the darkest of days.

As a dog trainer, you get to help dogs and their owners build stronger relationships and create lasting bonds. There’s nothing quite like seeing the joy on a client’s face when they finally achieve success with their dog – and you know you played a role in making that happen!

It can be an extremely rewarding career!

In addition to the feel-good factor that comes with working with dogs, dog trainers also get to experience a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from helping their clients achieve their training goals.

Dog training is always in demand!

There will always be a need for dog trainers! As long as there are dogs, there will be owners who need help training them. This means that, as a dog trainer, you can pretty much guarantee yourself job security for life!

You can make a good living doing what you love!

Last but not least, one of the biggest benefits of becoming a dog trainer is that you can actually make a lot of money doing it!

Of course, the exact amount you can make will depend on a number of factors, such as your location, experience, and the type of clients you work with. However, as seen from the stats listed earlier, it’s definitely possible to make a killer income!

(And that’s not even including the additional income you could potentially make from offering additional services, such as dog walking, dog grooming, pet sitting, or even selling your very own dog training products.)

What Are The Disadvantages of Being a Dog Trainer?

Now that we’ve looked at all of the wonderful benefits of becoming a dog trainer, let’s take a moment to consider some of the potential disadvantages.

Of course, every job has its downsides – and being a dog trainer is no different! Here are a few things to keep in mind:

It can be challenging (but rewarding!) work.

Just like any job, being a dog trainer can be challenging at times.

You will have days where everything goes according to plan and you feel like you’re on top of the world. But you will also have days where nothing seems to go right and you want to pull your hair out.

The key is to remember that, even on the tough days, you are still making a difference in the lives of dogs and their owners. And that is an extremely rewarding feeling!

You need to be prepared for occasional bumps and bruises.

Working with dogs can be a bit dangerous at times!

While most dogs are gentle and loving creatures, there is always the potential for a dog to bite or scratch you – no matter how well trained they are. Of course, this is not something that happens often. Still, it’s important to be aware of the risks before you start working with dogs.

You need to have a lot of patience.

Working with dogs can be frustrating at times, especially when you’re first starting out.

Dogs don’t always do what you want them to do – and that can be extremely frustrating! It’s important to remember that every dog is different and will learn at their own pace.

The key is to remain patient and never give up on a dog – no matter how challenging they may be!

So… Should You Work in Dog Training?

Becoming a dog trainer can be an extremely rewarding career! You get to help dogs and their owners build stronger relationships, create lasting bonds, and achieve their training goals. In addition, dog trainers make a good living doing what they love!

Of course, every job has its downsides – and being a dog trainer is of no exception. You need to be prepared for occasional bumps and bruises, have a lot of patience, and be aware of the risks before you start working with dogs.

So…what do you think? Is becoming a dog trainer the right path for you?

Only you can answer that question! But we hope this article has given you something to think about. Thanks for reading!

This year, start your dream career and become a dog trainer by enrolling with QC Pet Studies today!