Dog Training Certification: How to Become a Dog Trainer

If you are an avid animal lover or have always wanted a job that involves being around animals, then dog training is the right career choice for you. The recent emergence of dog training as a lucrative career, is due to the increased dog adoptions, awareness amongst dog owners regarding responsible dog ownership, and the need for well behaved and well trained pet dogs. Dog training is not limited to training only the pet dogs, but has found a lot of scope in the police and law enforcement services sectors. Dog training certification is offered by a number of dog training schools, that train and educate those who wish to establish a career in the dog training business. Here is a simple guide on how to become a dog trainer.

How to Become a Dog Trainer
The most important step in becoming a dog trainer, is obtaining the dog training certification, which can be obtained through a dog training certification course. The most important prerequisite to have a successful and rewarding dog training career, is to be a genuine dog lover because the job requires a lot of dedication and commitment. Love for dogs can also be developed while pursuing the course, but it is very likely that your interest and dedication towards the job might deteriorate and this can hamper your career as a dog trainer.

The first step in becoming a dog trainer is to enroll yourself in a dog training school, that offers courses in the basic methods of dog training. Since there are many such dog training schools, it is advisable to research on the course content that each one offers, before enrolling for the course. The curriculum of a good dog training course should include the study of dog psychology, dog anatomy, dog health and health problems, dog behavior, dog communication and the use of dog training equipments and tools. It should also include business management modules and some dog training courses for dog owners. Apart from pet dog training, you can also get certifications in service dog training and protection dog training. The theoretical study should be well merged with practical dog training sessions. At the end of the course, you would receive a course completion certificate from the school, but to be a certified dog trainer, a national certification is required, for which you have to qualify in the examination conducted by a national certifying organization. A well known national organization offering standardized dog training certification, is the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), established in 2001. Another widely recognized organization is the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, that ensures standardized dog training certification. Candidates applying for a dog training certification from CCPDT should have a GED equivalent or a high school graduation, and are required to complete 300 hours of dog training, along with references from a client, a professional colleague and a veterinarian. After getting certified, dog trainers need to maintain their credentials by attending various seminars and conferences, where they would be able to interact with other professional dog trainers.

Scope and Benefits of Dog Training Jobs
A career in dog training has a lot of scope and can be highly rewarding, provided you give it the right amount of dedication and efficiency that is required. Dog trainers are in great demand for training pet dogs, service dogs and protection dogs, which makes the job a well paying one. They can also conduct dog training classes for their clients. Being a certified dog trainer has added advantages, as they are very sought-after and are preferred over non-certified dog trainers. A pet owner would look for a certified dog trainer, to ensure that the training experience is good for the dog, the owner and also the trainer. Working with a certified dog trainer assures the owner that the training would be safe and effective, as the trainer has the required skill, knowledge and expertise.

To be a successful dog trainer, make sure that you regularly update your knowledge and skill related to the field, and are familiar with the latest dog training tools and techniques. And most importantly, while training a dog, display your love and affection for it, along with your skills.