| If you have a thing for dogs and are able to work with | | | | qualify as a professional dog trainer or instructor. |
| folks with dogs, a career in dog training can be a | | | | A Word of Advice: Avoid mail or internet courses that |
| delightful, rewarding and tremendously enjoyable | | | | claim that you can become a skilled dog trainer. |
| profession for you. | | | | While inexpensive, you will never be an effective or |
| However, to begin a career in dog training, general skills | | | | credible dog trainer. These correspondence courses at |
| such as good communications and social relations are | | | | most can only offer you basic information on a career |
| essentials as most of your time will be spent educating | | | | in dog training and elementary levels of dog trainer |
| the owner how to train his/her dogs. | | | | skills. Just imagine who would be there to supervise or |
| The key to a successful career in dog training is to be | | | | correct you when you make a mistake. |
| "competent." If your dog training experience and skills, | | | | THE TRAINING PROGRAMS: |
| like millions of other dog owners, are picked up from | | | | There are many dog training programs and usual |
| books, then you might be ineffective in preparation, | | | | subjects cover solving basic dog behavioral problems |
| correcting and solving some dog behavior problems. | | | | and obedience training. |
| Not only will your clients be complaining and unsatisfied | | | | Aside from the basics, to become a qualified and |
| with your service, your reputation will be ruined within | | | | professional trainer, you will also need to know: |
| the neighborhood where you base your dog training | | | | - the history and background of every dog breed, |
| business. | | | | - how to communicate effectively with different |
| However, if you are passionately committed to make | | | | breeds, |
| handling with dogs a career, then you will need to | | | | - how to treat more complex behavioral problems |
| become a capable, knowledgeable and proficient dog | | | | such as phobias and aggression, |
| trainer who understands different canine behavior and | | | | - elementary to advanced dog tricks and commands, |
| how to train to breed with the right techniques. | | | | - how to prepare and train dogs for different |
| A career in dog training can begin in two ways: | | | | competitions, as well as, |
| PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINING SCHOOLS | | | | - correct dog hygiene, nutrition and grooming so that |
| Professional dog training schools are a good way to | | | | you can counsel and present training advice to your |
| start with as they offer a step-by-step set of courses | | | | clients to bring up healthy, well groomed and well |
| planned to coach the students in the shortest amount | | | | behaved dogs. |
| of time the skills needed to become a professional dog | | | | COMPENSATION OF A PROFESSIONAL DOG |
| trainer. | | | | TRAINER |
| Check with your local pet stores or veterinary | | | | You can begin your career in dog training handling |
| hospitals for reference and recommendations. | | | | dogs full or part time. An average working week is |
| The fees usually start from $3,000 up to $18,000 for a | | | | about 30 - 35 hours and that includes evenings, |
| credible training program. | | | | weekends and holidays. As a start, you can look |
| APPRENTICESHIP | | | | forward to earn $50 per lesson and gradually to $200 |
| If you want something inexpensive, you can start out | | | | per session once you become more experienced. Full |
| as an apprentice by volunteering with the local dog | | | | time dog trainers can earn between $30,000 to |
| shelters, rescue groups or guide dogs training centers. | | | | $100,000 annually. |
| However, your course and experience will be dictated | | | | To get ahead financially as a dog trainer, you will have |
| by the center where you volunteered. In certain | | | | to start establishing a client base who will recommend |
| centers, your apprenticeship training will be subjected | | | | your service to their friends. Visit your local vets, |
| to the variety of dogs coming in. In others, you might | | | | groomers, pet sitters and pet stores by asking them to |
| be given a dog to guide and train with till it pass out as | | | | refer clients to you. Most of the successful dog |
| a certified guide or service dog. | | | | trainers build on their business from referrals of |
| The only big drawback for all apprenticeship programs | | | | satisfied customers. |
| is that you must prepare to work long hours, | | | | Thus, if you genuinely love dogs and cherish helping |
| performing routine or physical tasks before you will get | | | | people in general, then having a enriching and fulfilling |
| an opportunity to work with dogs. | | | | career in dog training might just be a great profession |
| If apprenticeship fits you, be ready to spend a minimum | | | | choice for you in life. |
| average of 3 years with the center before you will | | | | |