Turn Your Love for Dogs into a Rewarding Career
Many of us have that special bond with our dogs. Dogs add so much value to our lives. We have customers whose dog is their life line and it’s so lovely to know we are not just training dogs and people, but adding true value to their lives. More than ever, at the moment, looking after our mental health and the mental health of others, is so important.
For many people, like me and my team, we turn our love of dogs into our career paths. However, I can still remember the uncertainty when I thought about doing this. The questions I had, and how I would actually do it. The loneliness, once I got out there was also overwhelming at times.
So how do you turn a passion for dogs into a sustainable career?
Becoming a dog trainer offers you the chance to combine your love for dogs with a profession that is not only rewarding and flexible, but a profession that is also financially viable.
As a dog trainer you help people to understand and connect with their dogs. You help people to move away from the out-dated information that they often come across on the internet. As an expert dog trainer, training with the National Dog Training Academy, you will find, over time, as you gain in experience and seek advice and guidance from me, Sandra, that you can resolve the problems, that other dog trainers have failed to solve.
Imagine guiding a frustrated dog owner through a tough period with their dog, helping them to reach a breakthrough where they can see the light at the end of the tunnel. This career also offers you autonomy—you can control your own schedule, decide what kind of services to offer, and build a business that fits your lifestyle.
Many of our student trainers, take the plunge to take on dog training as a career, through The NDTA, after experiencing challenges with their own dogs, that they have failed to resolve elsewhere. My journey started when I was struggling to control my unruly puppy, Rolo, over 15 years ago.
From that experience, I set off on a mission to understand canine behavior and become a professional dog trainer, continuing and study or the rest of my career. As with any career, we should never stop learning. There is always something new to learn and every experience teaches us something. It’s experience that really makes us an expert. That’s why with The NDTA, we support you for life. When you have a dog or human, that is not straightforward, you always have me to lean on. I share everything I have learned over the past 15 years.
Gain Confidence with Step-by-Step Training
The leap from dog lover to professional trainer might seem daunting, but it’s much easier with structured guidance. One of the best aspects of the NDTA’s training program is that it walks you through every step of becoming a trainer. You don’t need to have prior experience in dog training or running a business to get started—what you need is the passion and commitment to learn.
The NDTA offers a comprehensive Dog Trainer Certificate programme. You begin with Level 1, which is focused on online theory. This allows you to learn at your own pace, build foundational knowledge, and gain confidence before diving into the hands-on elements. At this stage, you will learn about dog behavior, communication techniques, and even how to manage group classes effectively.
As you progress through Level 2, online, you begin practical training with dogs that you know, preparing your for Level 3, when you come along for your in-person training. The in person training has a low student-to-instructor ratio to ensure you receive personalised attention, and the support you need to make it work. With just 4 students in any in person training group, you also get to build good relationships with your group, offering another form of support as you set out on your new path.
Level 3, in person part of the course focuses on the exciting aspects of dog training—actually working with dogs and people. Learning how to teach groups and taking on the role of a dog trainer to see how it really feels and experiencing some of the things that might happen when teaching a class.
By the time you complete Level 3, you will be fully prepared to run your own classes. We encourage students to launch their first classes within two weeks of completing the practical training. This immediate application of skills not only reinforces what you’ve learned but also builds momentum, and keeps your confidence flowing. This helps you transition smoothly from student to professional dog trainer.
Confidence-building is key to success in this field, and we are always their to support. By the end of the training, you won’t just be a dog lover; you’ll be a professional dog trainer, capable of teaching basic dog behaviour to any dog or handler. The more advance training comes with Level 4, which is now a free addition of online training.
Start Your Dog Training Business with Lifetime Support
Once you’ve completed your training and gained your certification, the next step is launching your dog training business. This may seem like a major hurdle, but we don’t leave you to figure it all out on your own. Some people need more support than others with this, but we are always there to give you our knowledge and guidance.
At a later date you may want to return to complete specialist training courses, so you can really stand out from the crowd in your local area.
How Much Money Can You Earn?
Financially, becoming a dog trainer can be highly rewarding. In the early stages of your career, you can expect to make a net profit of £15 per dog in each class you run. With classes typically having around eight dogs, that’s a minimum of £120 per class. Run eight classes over the weekend, and you’re looking at a potential weekly income of £960. And this is just the beginning—as your experience and reputation grow, so will your income. You can eventually move into one-on-one training sessions, charge more for challenging cases, or even hire additional trainers as your business expands.
Conclusion
Becoming a dog trainer is more than just a job—it’s a fulfilling career that allows you to combine your love for dogs with the opportunity to help others. The journey from passion to profession doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially with a structured, supportive training programme. By taking this leap, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to not only train dogs, how to teach people, but also run a successful business on your terms.
With the demand for skilled dog trainers on the rise and a growing pet population in the UK, there has never been a better time to turn your passion into a profession. And with NDTA’s lifetime support and business guidance, you’ll have the tools you need to build a successful, rewarding career.
