Ever wanted to be a certified dog trainer? Or maybe you are a pet lover with a well-trained canine. And would love to teach other dogs some fascinating tricks and dog manners you’ve learned over time.
Dog training is an exciting career path and for someone who loves dogs, it could be refreshing – more like a hobby. However, training your pet is not enough proof to convince other people that you can train their dogs. You might want to get certified to carve a professional niche for yourself in this industry.
This post will discuss how to become a certified dog trainer and all you need to get started. Read on to find out.
Steps to Becoming a Certified Dog Trainer
Being a dog lover is not enough to get you the certified dog trainer badge. However, with the following steps, you just might be the next most sought-after canine trainer in your vicinity.
Get Educated
You might have to deal with books and journals on canines, their behavioral patterns, and ethology. In addition, being a pet trainer means you would be helping people train their pets too. Therefore, you have to learn how to interact with people.
There are ways to get educated on how to become a professional trainer, and they are:
Self-Teaching
This involves reading and gaining knowledge on how to train canines by yourself. You can read books; attend seminars, webinars, and workshops online and offline to gain more understanding.
On a side note, you may not learn much about body language, cues, and subtle techniques, if you’re an absolute beginner. However, it is an excellent way to start. You can take more lessons as you progress.
Apprenticeship
Another way to get educated is by understudying a professional trainer in a dog school or animal shelter to learn their tricks and techniques. If you have a professional trainer in your vicinity, you might want to book training sessions with them. A standard apprenticeship might last up to 6 months.
Training schools
Unlike the other modes of education, this is more formal and widely recognized. A dog trainer school provides you with a structured and comprehensive curriculum to get you started. They offer ample hands-on training to get you started. Plus, you also earn an Online Dogs Training Certification at the end of your classes.
Training
Now that you have the theoretical information and soft skills, you need to get started on your journey. You have to start training pets to practice all you have learned. You can start with training your canine or your neighbors’.
You could also volunteer at a dogs’ school or shelter in your area. This will help you get more acquainted with canine behavior and ethology. In addition, you need to learn how to warm up to different types of canine, regardless of the pattern of their behavior.
Being a dog trainer requires many motor skills – from how you walk, to how you hold the leash, and down to your signals. You might also come across canines with anxiety or separation issues. Therefore, you need to train extensively in preparation for such situations.
When you must have gotten enough experience and practice, you can now move on to training other people on how to train their dogs. You can also check here for more guides and insights on how to train dogs.
- Become a Professional Dog Trainer
Now that you have all read books, trained and taken courses on becoming a dog trainer. It is time to take your career to a professional level. The first step is to join a professional association in your area.
The organization will provide you with a membership badge to convince your clients that you are a certified and professional trainer. They also give you access to courses, training, up-to-date trends, and information to keep you at the top of your game.
Another key takeaway is that you will be added to the organization’s database of professional canine trainers. This will make it easier for clients around your area to find and trust your services.
Conclusion
One of the best parts of becoming a Certified Dog Trainer is getting paid while enjoying your hobby. It’s a rewarding career that could open multiple streams of income for you. The possibilities are endless.
For instance, you could train other people to train their canines, or work in a pet shelter. You could also decide to be a boss by owning a dogs’ shelter or daycare as a certified professional.
