How to start a dog training business?

To start a dog training business, you should complete market research, choose a business structure, and prepare to launch. Most dog trainers hold certifications, so you should look into those before beginning your business.

What are careers in dog training?

Dog trainers, pet behavioral specialists, and service animal trainers are careers in dog training. Here are some details on each of these careers and others in dog training: Dog trainer

How To Become A Dog Trainer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a dog trainer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Do you consider yourself a dog whisperer? If you have a knack for getting along with dogs, then you may want to consider becoming a dog trainer. Dog trainers teach owners methods for training dogs to respond to commands and helping correct problem behaviors. They frequently work directly with owners, teaching them how to manage any undesired behaviors.

In order to successfully help both dog and owner, dog trainers assess their needs and then create a suitable training plan and a welcoming environment. To excel in this role, you'll need to be patient, consistent, and have excellent verbal and nonverbal skills.

Although most dog trainers are self-employed, some may work as part of a pet store's obedience training program. Other work opportunities may also exist at animal shelters, veterinary clinics, or boarding kennels. Generally, all that is required to be a dog trainer is a high school diploma or GED. Dog trainers should also be familiar with how to use operant conditioning, positive reinforcement, hand signals, and voice commands.

ScoreDog TrainerUS Average

Salary

2.6

Avg. Salary $32,811

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.7

Growth Rate 28%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

9.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.14%

Asian 1.67%

Black or African American 4.46%

Hispanic or Latino 14.86%

Unknown 7.01%

White 71.86%

Gender

female 61.10%

male 38.90%

Age - 40

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 40

Stress Level

6.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

4.3

Complexity Level is basic

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

9.3

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a dog trainer

Explore dog trainer education requirements

Most common dog trainer degrees

Bachelor's

39.7 %

High School Diploma

26.4 %

Associate

21.8 %

Start to develop specific dog trainer skills

Skills	Percentages
PET	81.58%
Training Techniques	13.65%
Customer Service	1.00%
Behavior Issues	0.95%
Various Training	0.30%

Complete relevant dog trainer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New dog trainers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a dog trainer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real dog trainer resumes.

Gain additional dog trainer certifications

Dog trainer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific dog trainer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for dog trainers include Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) and OSHA Safety Certificate .

More About Certifications

Research dog trainer duties and responsibilities

Accept shipments and manage using AS400 system.
Bathe all types of dogs including clipping nails, cleaning ears, brushing teeth and cleansing anal glands.
Train assigned K9's in explosive detection, obedience and control aggression, building searches, area and article searches.
Conduct training programs in order to develop and maintain desire animal behaviors, husbandry and well being for all animals.

Prepare your dog trainer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your dog trainer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a dog trainer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Dog Trainer Resume templates

Build a professional Dog Trainer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Dog Trainer resume.

Apply for dog trainer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a dog trainer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do dog trainers rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

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1 Star

Dog Trainer reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020

Cons

Dogs in homes

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020