How to Become a Professional Dog Trainer

Professional dog trainers are important people in the lives of millions of dog owners who want and need help getting their pets under control or making them better companions in their homes. There's more to being a dog trainer than simply knowing the methods best used for teaching dogs. There are schools to learn how to train dogs, but they can only teach the basics. Like any good professional, dog trainers continue to learn and expand their knowledge as long as they participate in the field.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Understand the methods used to train dogs for both companion living as well as obedience. Learn the basics of obedience and general puppy training. Decide if you want to specialize in one of the many specialties that require further training such as search and rescue training, schutzhund, agility, tracking, hunting, herding, all of which have very specific requirements that must be learned, and many of which can't be learned from a book.

2. Find a school that has teachers with plenty of experience and good records in their fields, such as obedience show rings, field trials, companion certification. Train your own dog(s) to high levels of qualifications in one or more fields of training if at all possible---nothing beats personal experience and success. Use your own success in the various rings, trials and other competitions as a calling card for those looking for trainers.

3. Learn all you can about canine psychology. Make sure you thoroughly understand dog behavior because this is as important as learning the steps to training specific commands. Find out why dogs do what they do as a whole, and why each breed reacts the way they do as a group so it can help you develop the best methods for each individual dog for true success in training.

4. Learn to understand human psychology, too, because you are not just training the dog, you are training the owner as well. You need to be able to communicate and read people as well as their pets.

5. Decide how you want to hold your training sessions. Decide if you want to teach large group classes, that may provide greater financial returns but present problems in delivering the proper amount of attention to each student. Check into the cost of large open store fronts or park areas. Check local restrictions on holding group classes in public parks. Decide carefully because open air classes can be tricky due to weather but can be more cost effective than renting a permanent training space indoors.

6. Check with your local zoning board and obtain the proper business licenses for your operation. Use your certificate from a qualified training school to present an impressive knowledge to your potential clients although there is no official training requirement to offer dog training.

Tips & Warnings

• A certificate from a qualified training school reflects knowledge to your potential clients, but there is no official training requirement to offer dog training.