Dog Health Questions: Is a dog trainer a good job?

hi i just graduated high school and i love dogs every single one of them. im just wondering if its a good job if you could tell me what the salary's are if i have to go to college or something like that fyi im thinking of opening up a dog training studio in detroit after i get some experience

Thanks!

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Recommended Answer:
There are a few colleges/schools/programs but they're really just starter courses that give you a 6-8 week glance at what being a trainer is like. REAL trainers/behaviorists gain experience by finding mentors, and working with those mentors for years upon years. Titling dogs, working with a wide variety of dogs, seminars, etc.

No trainer/behaviorist is going to be reputable for at least 10 years. No one is going to start their own successful business right out of high school, or right after a one year stint with a trainer. You're most likely to start out working $8/hour under another trainer, then moving up as years pass and you gain experience.

http://www.inch.com/~dogs/protrainer.htm…
http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages…

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• Well, first, though there are some schools that teach dog training, it is really something you have to learn by training your own dogs to high levels of competitive obedience.
  
  My best advice is if you want to train dogs, become a member of a dog obedience training club, most clubs have requirements before allowing someone to assist or teach classes. At my own club, you must earn a CD (Companion Dog) title thru either AKC, UKC, CanKC, AMBOR before you can assist an instructor in teaching a Beginner 1 or Beginner 2 class.
  
  The obedience and/or agility instructors I use, charge approx $80.00 for a 1 hour private session. However, these people have earned OTCH (Obedience Trial Champion titles) or MACH (Master Agility Champion title) on muliple dogs, not just 1 dog. They have also titled many different breeds to this high level of competition. They were invited and attended various Championships, Tournaments or Nationals and where successful.
  
  I personally would not train with someone who just went to school and got "Dog Training certificate. Dog training is really more hands on.
  
  As for could you live on dog training for a living, it will depend on you, how good of a trainer you become. The people I mentioned above, dog training is a part time job, they supplement their income with some other job.


• To add to the other persons answer about a vets office.
  Vets office does NOT equal dog trainer..
  Being a vet assistant or a vet tech or a vet, is absolutely nothing compared to being a dog trainer.
  And most vets do not know that much about training either. They may act as if they do but really they don't.
  
  Working in a vets office is stressful, need good skills with people and their pets, and somedays you would prefer to drive your car into the median versus going to work.
  
  Salary would depend on you, how ambitious you are, and how many clients you can get, and how good of a trainer you are.
  I think dog training comes naturally to a GOOD dog trainer.


• Before you invest any money and / or time in a career as a dog trainer, why don't you become a volunteer at a Vet's office or animal shelter for at least 6 months. The Vet could probably answer most of your questions and you'd certainly be helping in an area of great need.
  sewandsew


• Excellent. I envy you for making such a solid decision.
  Why not learn to trim animal hair. To get people to use your service.
  Then try opening a pet hotel as well, for people who need an overnite sitter.
  
  See where I'm going.
  I know the students at this local collage could use some help.