How to Become a Dog Trainer in Virginia
According to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), a career in dog training carries no formal educational requirements. Instead, candidates should consider on-the-job training through working with pet shelters or veterinary offices as well as personal study on dog behavior modification and conditioning.Though certifying programs do offer credentials based on testing, Virginia has no specific protocols that qualify or regulate those organizations. To become a dog trainer in Virginia, candidates can begin by establishing a comfort level with dogs while developing an understanding of pet dog behavior by working with established professionals in the animal care industry.
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Establish a comfort level in working with dogs. To begin, you may wish to volunteer with an animal shelter or animal welfare organization, a veterinarian's office or a dog rescue. Animal shelters often look for volunteers to assist with caring for animals and may provide initial training to prepare you for volunteer work. For a directory of animal shelters in Virginia you can use online directories such as Animalshelter.org, or contact your local SPCA. Inquire about volunteer opportunities to work with dogs at the facility.
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Attend an obedience training program. To begin learning about behavior modification techniques and to get an introduction to animal behavior, participate in this training with your dog or accompany a friend who has a dog. The Richmond Dog Obedience Club in Henrico, Virginia, features a variety of programs that provide dog owners with basic techniques to teach dogs commands such as sit, heel and halt or more advanced skills such as hand signals, retrieving and conditioning exercises.
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Enroll in a dog obedience trainer course. Consider online and in-person training courses provided by private vocational institutions such as the Animal Behavior College or Penn Foster Career School. Portions of the curriculum can be completed online, but candidates can also contact the training programs to determine if local on-site training is available. Trainer courses include more detailed education on dog social behavior, conditioning, breed-specific animal history and the administrative elements of running a dog training business.
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Seek an apprenticeship opportunity with an established dog trainer in your area. As you gain hands-on experience with animals in an animal care facility and gain additional education on dog behavior, you may inquire about apprenticeship or entry-level work as an assistant to an established dog trainer. In Virginia, contact your local veterinarian office or animal shelter for leads on dog trainers. For a list to begin your search, check with the Animal Welfare League located in Arlington, Virginia.
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Consider gaining certification. Although certification is not required in Virginia, acquiring certification while under the supervision of a dog trainer at an established school will assist you in gaining credibility to build your own business or clients. Certification will include passing a skills and knowledge exam through the qualifying organization based on your practical experience in handling and training dogs. Consider established dog training professional organizations such as the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
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