“Work with as many dogs as you can, especially those with problems,” Toepfer says. “Volunteering at a shelter or rescue organization is an outstanding way to test your training skills and to make a significant difference for a dog who needs a home.”
Before you send in your tuition check, ask school officials what type of training methods they advocate in their classes. You don’t want to go to a “jerk ’em, choke ’em” school if your interests lie in clicker training and other positive-reinforcement techniques.
Certification
No one is required to obtain certification as a dog trainer, but having it can add to your credibility. Three organizations offer various levels of certification: the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), and the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI).
To be eligible for the APDT’s certification exam, trainers must show evidence of at least 300 hours of dog-training experience within the past five years. At least 75 percent of that time must be teaching experience. In other words, the trainers must have taught other people how to train dogs, not simply trained their own dogs. Other requirements are a high-school diploma or GED and written references from a veterinarian, a client, and another trainer.
The IACP is a professional organization not just for trainers but for anyone who works with dogs, including groomers, boarding kennel owners and employees, veterinarians and vet techs, pet-supply retailers, and writers. Trainers who have been professional members of the IACP for at least six months may take the certified dog trainer (CDT) exam. In addition to the multipart exam, applicants must provide case studies of dogs trained within the past year, as well as references from clients.
The NADOI offers two levels of certification to its members: provisional and endorsed. Applicants must meet minimum experience requirements for each category to qualify for the exam. Eligibility for provisional certification requires at least two years of experience in dog obedience training; experience as an instructor or assistant instructor is recommended. To qualify as an endorsed member, an applicant must have at least five years of experience in dog obedience training, with at least two of those years at the instructor level. They must have worked with a minimum of 100 dog-handler teams. Applicants for both levels must pass an extensive written test and may be interviewed or asked to provide a video of a class.
Apprenticeship
Studying under the guidance of an established trainer is a time-honored and still viable career path. That’s the route that was pursued by freelance writer Susan McCullough, who specializes in dog-oriented topics. She was ready to try her hand at doing some of the things she had written about so frequently—like dog training. That led her to an apprenticeship with nationally known trainer Pat Miller.
Freelance writer Susan McCullough, seen here with her Golden Retriever, Allie, chose to apprentice with an experienced dog trainer to learn more about the profession.
“I began to investigate apprenticeship programs online and concluded that Pat Miller’s program offered the best, most structured opportunity to gain such experience,” she says. “Pat’s program requires apprentices not only to assist with classes but also to assist with behavioral assessments of shelter dogs, sit in on one-on-one private sessions, train shelter dogs, and do a fair amount of reading. I also knew Pat already and was confident that I would learn a lot from her.”
Working with a Mentor
Even if you don’t apprentice with someone, finding a mentor can give your emerging training career a boost. A mentor can help when you need advice about dealing with clients or working with tricky dogs, or when you simply seek answers to business-related questions. A good mentor can be your best source of practical information. Look for someone who isn’t devoted to a single method of training. The best teachers are those who recognize that there’s more than one way to teach people and dogs and who are always seeking out new information and techniques.
Other mentors, in a sense, are the dogs. Whether you earn a college degree, attend a training school, or apprentice with an experienced trainer, you should seek out as many opportunities as possible to work with a variety of dog breeds and mixes. Just because you can train a Golden Retriever doesn’t mean that you can train a Greyhound or a Jack Russell Terrier. All breeds, individuals within breeds, and mixed-breed dogs have their own quirks and will often require individualized techniques.
Personal Experience
Plenty of trainers have achieved successful careers without any type of formal education (think Cesar Millan). In those instances—and even with a college degree—gaining experience is essential.
“I was very involved with competitive obedience and flyball for many years before moving into providing training to others,” Toepfer says. “I spent many years working in animal shelters as a volunteer trainer to improve the chances of a dog’s being adopted. I learned a lot from those dogs!”
And no matter what your educational background or training philosophy, it’s always valuable to spend time with other trainers. There’s an old joke that the only thing two dog trainers can agree on is that a third trainer is wrong. Nonetheless, networking with other trainers and being open to learning from them is useful for aspiring dog trainers. Attending seminars held by dog-training or animal-behavior organizations is one way to learn the latest information about techniques and philosophies in the field.
Advanced Learning
Continuing education is important in every career, including dog training. Expect to devote at least a couple of weeks each year to attending conferences and seminars in this interesting field. You will always learn something that will help you with your clients, both canine and human.
“I read and ‘talk dogs’ with as many professionals as I can in as many fields of training as I can,” Kim Toepfer says. “I am especially interested in finding unique solutions to problems, and I always find some gem in any conversation I have or book I read.”
READ EVERYTHING
“Read everything you can, even if you think it’s not your style. It is important to educate yourself on the full range of dog training before you develop a style. There are times when you will rely on some tidbit you picked up from an unlikely source.”
—Kim Toepfer, dog trainer
Starting a Dog-Training Business
Starting and running a small business is challenging, even when it involves the pleasure of working with dogs. Like any small-business owner, a dog trainer must purchase or rent a work space; buy insurance; print business cards, stationery, and promotional materials; advertise his or her business; and pay for utilities and other bills. Here are some options and issues to consider before you jump in.
Trainers often work out of their own homes and visit private clients at their homes rather than renting or purchasing a facility. Trainers who teach classes or see clients on their own property must ensure that their insurance coverage is sufficient.
Trainers who want to offer classes must acquire space in which to hold them. Public parks usually require permits for events, such as classes, and may require proof of liability insurance. Trainers who work through community recreation departments, however, may have access