Could you become a dog trainer?

Making that decision, before you understand the role and what it entails, is very difficult. It’s not just about being a dog trainer, it’s about being out there on your own, earning an income, running a business.

How do you know if it’s for you?

What does a dog trainer do all day? Officially, we should call ourselves Dog Training Instructors, if we are going to teach people how to train their dog. This might be on a one to one basis or in classes. If you want to become a dog trainer, classes will give you opportunity to earn a good income, especially in the early days.

If you feel one to one training is where you would like to head, you will need to build your experience and reputation first. This can readily be done by running classes.

Running classes

This can be scary and daunting when you start out. Especially if you have not done anything like this before. Teaching outdoors is also different to teaching indoors. Find the right training programme, ensuring your get practical, hands on training, and this will flow. It won’t be as scary as you think.

Check out our full training programme that provides all the theory AND the practical.

Can you make enough money?

That of course depends on your financial need, but becoming a dog trainer, gives you freedom and flexibility. You work when it suits. You will need to work weekend hours and summer evenings if you want to make decent money. That does mean you can keep your current role going, until you feel secure enough to go it alone.

Skills and knowledge to become a dog trainer

You will need to understand both dogs and humans. The role is very much about teaching people. You need to be a good communicator and understand adult learning. You can know all there is to know about training a dog, but that is of little value if you can’t communicate effectively with the owners.

Your understanding of dogs will grow as you learn by experience. That’s why it’s important to start with the basics.

Any good training course will ensure you have a solid, 6 week training programme, tried, tested and practised, by the time you complete your training.

You will also need some business knowledge to become a dog trainer. This can be very basic and is very simple. Again any good training programme will get you started with this aspect. There is a lot of support you can source to help with the business side of things. This shouldn’t be a stumbling block in your decision to become a dog trainer.

Intimidated by too many dog trainers?

Don’t be. Yes, there are probably some very good dog trainers in your area, but there are probably some not so good ones too. Just because someone has been a dog trainer for, let’s say, 5 years. That doesn’t mean they have masses of experience. Supposing they’ve only been running one or two classes a week? Supposing they’ve only dealt with a handful of dogs in that time?

When did they last stop and evaluate their training? When did they last up-date their training? Are they so tied in with an organisation that they’re not allowed ‘to think’ for themselves?

Don’t let this be a stumbling block. Don’t take on dogs that you’re not trained or experienced enough to deal with. Build on success. Make people feel good. Get good results for people. You will be amazed how quickly your reputation will grow.

Could you be a dog trainer?

If you won’t let the things above get in your way and become a stumbling block, then with the right training programme you could become a dog trainer.

Remember you need to work weekends and summer evenings and you need to be hardy. You need to work outdoors in all weathers.

Still not sure being a dog trainer is for you? Why not check out this short course to help you decide?