How to Become a Certified Dog Trainer

Becoming a certified dog trainer can be a challenging, yet rewarding career.

Dogs can be excellent four-legged companions to anyone looking for a loving pet. But an untrained dog can spell disaster for its owners. Becoming a certified dog trainer can be a challenging, yet rewarding career option if you enjoy working with dogs and have a desire to help pet owners train them.

Things You'll Need

• Training materials
• Training classes
• Certification exam

Instructions

Training

1. Familiarize yourself with different types of dogs. Before you decide to become a certified dog trainer, it is important to get used to being around and working with dogs. Perhaps the best way to gain this experience is to volunteer at a dog rescue or animal shelter where you will find several different types of dogs.

2. Do your homework on what it takes to become a certified dog trainer and what it is like to actually train dogs. A wealth of information is available on the Internet, but perhaps the best resource is to talk to other dog trainers or to those who utilize trainer services, such as pet stores, to see what they require of their dog trainers. Another helpful resource is the Certification Counsel for Professional Dog Trainers, as it is one of the foremost authorities on proper dog training certification.

3. Research the breeds you are most interested in. While most trainers opt to become a general certified dog trainer, if you have an interest in a particular breed, do some research on that breed to learn its personality and find out how it learns differently than other dogs.

4. Take seminars and classes on dog training. After you have done all your homework on what it takes to become a dog trainer, the next step is to actually learn how to train dogs. You can find a wide variety of seminars or course through DogSeminarsDirectory.com. Many classes are available online or at various locations across the country. Look for courses that teach several different skills, and take as many as you can to make sure you develop an expert knowledge of how to be a trainer.

Certification

1. Register and begin studying for the certification exam. To become a certified trainer, you must pass the official Certification Councel of Professional Dog Trainers exam. A handful of accredited organizations administer this exam; a complete list can be found on the Association of Pet Dog Trainers website. Once you register, study for the exam thoroughly. Each organization offers study guides to help prepare for the exam, which are meant to supplement the classes you have taken.

2. Take the exam. Every certification exam is assessed on a pass/fail basis. The score required to pass the exam is based on a standard that is set by the Certification Counsel for Professional Dog Trainers. Once you have passed, you are officially certified to be a dog trainer.

3. Begin working as a trainer. Start by working with local pet stores or shelters or established dog training school to gain more hands-on experience. This will help you not only to gain more training, but also to establish yourself as a certified trainer.

4. Start your own training service. If your ambitions for being a certified trainer go beyond working for others, this is the final step in building a dog training career.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind when deciding what breeds of dogs or types of skills you want to learn that the more you know, the more employable you will be. If you don't pass the exam on the first try, inquire as to how you can improve.

• Note the difference between being certified and receiving a certification. Any time you take a course in dog training, you will be awarded a certificate of completion. This is not the same as becoming a certified trainer. The only way to be certified as a dog trainer is to pass the certification exam.

References

• Certification Counsel for Professional Dog Trainers: Trainer FAQ
• Association of Pet Dog Trainers: Dog Trainer Certification
• CertifiedDogTrainerInfo.com: Become the Best Certified Dog Trainer Today
• American Dog Trainers Network: How to Become a Professional Dog Trainer
• National K-9 Dog Trainers Association

Resources

• Association of Pet Dog Trainers: Dog Trainer Certification
• Dog Seminars Directory