7 Steps to Becoming a Dog Trainer

If you’re thinking about becoming a dog trainer, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

There are hundreds of courses, dozens of training methods and no shortage of people willing to tell you the “right” way to do it.

After training dog trainers for more than 10 years, I’ve noticed something interesting.

The people who succeed don’t necessarily have the most experience with dogs.

They don’t always have the best qualifications.

And they certainly don’t know everything before they start.

What they do have is a willingness to learn, take action, keep moving forward and more importantly, a way with people.

If you’re wondering where to start, these are the seven steps I would recommend.

Step 1: Decide Whether You Really Want It

Before you spend money on a course, ask yourself why you want to become a dog trainer.

Do you enjoy helping people?

Do you enjoy learning?

Are you prepared to run a business as well as train dogs?

Are you prepared to work weekends and evenings?

Dog training can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s important to understand what the role really involves.

Step 2: Choose a Course That Includes Practical Experience

There are lots of courses that teach theory.

Far fewer teach you how to stand in front of a group of dog owners and help them succeed.

Look for a course that gives you practical experience, opportunities to teach people and ongoing support once the course has finished.

Step 3: Research the Person Behind the Course

Don’t just research the organisation.

Research the trainer.

Can you speak to them?

Do their values align with yours?

Have they helped other people build successful businesses?

You need to know who you’ll be learning from.

Step 4: Start Thinking Like a Dog Trainer

Begin observing dogs and their owners differently.

Watch training classes.

Notice what works.

Notice what doesn’t.

The best trainers are curious and never stop learning.

Step 5: Plan How You Will Get Started

Most new trainers don’t need a huge training centre or expensive facilities.

Many start with small classes, local venues and a handful of clients.

Focus on getting started rather than getting everything perfect.

One of the biggest surprises for new trainers is that being a dog trainer and running a dog training business are not the same thing. You can be brilliant with dogs, but if nobody knows you exist, you’ll struggle. Start thinking about venues, marketing and where your first customers will come from long before you finish your training.

Step 6: Build Confidence Through Action

Confidence rarely arrives before you begin.

It usually arrives because you begin.

The sooner you start working with real people and real dogs, the quicker your confidence will grow.

Step 7: Run Your First Class

At some point, you simply have to take the leap.

I still remember my first class.

Thirty minutes before it started I wanted to run away.

Fortunately, I stayed.

Most new trainers feel nervous.

That’s normal.

The important thing is to get started.

Your first class won’t be perfect.

Neither was mine.

But it will be the beginning of something exciting.

The Biggest Mistake New Trainers Make

Many people spend years researching and planning without ever taking action.

The trainers who succeed are usually the ones who make a decision, commit to learning and then get going.

You don’t need to know everything before you start.

You simply need to start.

Many people spend months designing logos, building websites and creating social media pages before they’ve ever taught a single class.

The trainers who succeed are usually the ones who get out there, run a session, make mistakes, learn from them and keep going.

Thinking about becoming a dog trainer?

Watch my short video and discover how our practical dog trainer programme could help you take the next step.