Dog Training Career?

[annie_so_pink]

I was wondering if anyone is a professional dog trainer....and if it is a good job, and a well paying job....I'm just doing some research....Thanks!

[tommyjake]

sorry cant help, but just wanna join in the convo here because iv been wondering the same thing, and im thinking of becoming a dog trainer, and would like some advice on how to go about it.
so im gonna sit at the back and wait for replys

[Ritz459]

I'll join in the conversation too! lol I think what I'm set on being is a Vet, plus a dog behaviorist/proff. dog trainer. And, depending on how my life goes and a lot of other factors, I also might want to become a dog breeder when I get older. (I always did like the genetics chapter in Biology...I thought it was fun. )

[Malinois]

Are you interested in becoming an obedience trainer? a detector dog trainer? a hunting dog trainer? seeing eye dog? service dog? police dog?

All of them are essentially sales based positions, so the income is variable.

As far as becoming a dog trainer, there isn't any test you have to pass to call yourself one. Many people just read a few books, go print off some buisness cards, and call themselves a dog trainer. Not surprisingly there are a lot of people who call themselves dog trainers who have no buisness doing so.

Some people apprentice to someone who already is a dog trainer. Learn from them and work for them for a while and have them teach you how to train dogs.

There are also some schools that will teach you about training dogs. However most of them just don't give a good understanding of dogs and just have you 'graduate' after you've attended for the required number of weeks.

If you'd like some specific information, feel free to PM me and I can try to help you.

[oc_spirit]

Pay varies also on your area. Some areas, people just refuse to bother paying more than $5/hr for training for their dog as they see no pruprose for it, other areas people won't bat an eye at laying down $20/hr to have a good doggy citizen.

to get there i recommend at LEAST going to university and getting a degree in animal behaviour and becoming a certified vet tech so in emergencies you know what to do plus you can get a job at a clinic if business is slow

[Raised By Wolves]

Originally Posted by Malinois

As far as becoming a dog trainer, there isn't any test you have to pass to call yourself one. Many people just read a few books, go print off some buisness cards, and call themselves a dog trainer. Not surprisingly there are a lot of people who call themselves dog trainers who have no buisness doing so.

...And then there are those who have spent most of their life working with dogs, and know a few things that simply cannot be learned just from reading books...and there are a lot of books out there!

There are also a lot different schools of thought out there regarding training methods and philosophies. As Malinois pointed out, a lot depends on what purpose, the dog is being trained for. Personally, I recommend reading everything you can get your hands on. Even if it's a philosophy that is out of date or is a method you don't particularly care for. It's interesting to see where some methods originated, where they are now, and where they may be headed. I've seen a lot of changes over the years!

I work almost exclusively in dog rehabilitation and dog psychology rather than training, by teaching owners how their behavior effects their dog. I also help owners understand the ways their dog is trying to communicate with them. I have no "degree" or "certification" of any kind, but have trained and worked with dogs for almost 40 years.

I find I simply can't NOT work with them!

My minimum fee is $50 for a local consultation or $100 if I have to go off-Island. A consultation can last from 1 to 3 hours. Sometimes additional follow up visits are free, and sometimes I charge. It all depends on the circumstances. I give a lot of "freebies" after the initial visit, if the folks are on a limited budget or if they are really making an effort for their dog's sake.

Flyndog gave some information on one training school in a similar thread. She could probably tell you more about the particulars on that specific certification.

[annie_so_pink]

Thanks Everybody!

Originally Posted by oc_spirit

to get there i recommend at LEAST going to university and getting a degree in animal behaviour and becoming a certified vet tech so in emergencies you know what to do plus you can get a job at a clinic if business is slow

I have been looking at a Training School, It is called National K-9 Learning Center; School For Dog Trainers(www.nk9.com)
Would that be enough, or do you have to get the animal behavior degree too....Do you have any idea if most colleges offer the animal behavior degree? Also, what exactly is a vet tech?
And Thank You all once again....It is all very helpful!

[Buddy_DaMutt]

OH! this is a good one for my daughter. She has been doing some "training" with Buddy. (she is 13) And she loves it. She set up this lil course for Buddy in the yard. And in a little less than a week-- she has him jumping objects, going around cones, and she just added going under a board. It's very simple and she just used things we have here at home; but she's doing well with it. So is Buddy-- He really enjoys it; he gets pooped too early though for my daughter. LOL

Now she says- this is fun. What do i have to do to be a trainer? I said well 1st you have to figure out what kind of training, and go from there. I said to her.. soon as you are old enough (16) do some volenteer work at the local aspca that will help you to get some good experience. Everyone is telling her that she is too young to volenteer.

She had said too that being an animal cop would be good for her. I told her she was mean eoungh for it. LOL I guess we need to try and get some research done for her to find out where she needs to go and how to start with it. She loves animals of any kind-- and wants to work with them in some way.

[GSD]

Originally Posted by annie_so_pink

Thanks Everybody!



I have been looking at a Training School, It is called National K-9 Learning Center; School For Dog Trainers(www.nk9.com)
Would that be enough, or do you have to get the animal behavior degree too....Do you have any idea if most colleges offer the animal behavior degree? Also, what exactly is a vet tech?
And Thank You all once again....It is all very helpful!

I haven't ever heard anything good about this school myself, but I have never dealt with anyone directly I've known that had been to this school. Your best bet is to find and attach yourself to someone that you've met and seen their dogs and other dogs that they train. and will take the time to teach you. Its a many year process and there are too many scams out there for "master trainers" for me to pay money to any of those schools. Read, Read and Read more books, attend seminars and help with someone that is already training dogs and get experience.

[Raised By Wolves]

Joining this forum, reading through the threads, and corresponding in the threads with the other dog lovers and trainers here, is one of the best ways to get a cross-section of both training methods and philosophies. Plus, you get to hear personal opinions about which methods have works best for a particular individual and their dog. IMO, every situation is unique.

Also, I think what you get here is much more current and cutting edge. The threads in the training forum alone, contain a lot of useful insight and information. And best of all...it's FREE!

[mrsgrubby]

I know I pay my trainers pretty well and they are worth every penny.

I had a guy come to my office to work with Jasmine since she regularly comes to work with me. He was here 2 hours and I paid around $85.

I took her to 8 of his group classes for $125 total.

And any additional private sessions are $50.

My trainer is soooo busy he is really hoping another qualified person will begin training in our area. He can't keep up with the demand and does, on average, two group classes each night, plus individual classes all day long. He is willing to come to homes or offices, or you can take your pet to his training center.

I just love the guy, and his methods.

[annie_so_pink]

Originally Posted by Buddy_DaMutt

OH! this is a good one for my daughter. She has been doing some "training" with Buddy. (she is 13) And she loves it. She set up this lil course for Buddy in the yard. And in a little less than a week-- she has him jumping objects, going around cones, and she just added going under a board. It's very simple and she just used things we have here at home; but she's doing well with it. So is Buddy-- He really enjoys it; he gets pooped too early though for my daughter. LOL

Now she says- this is fun. What do i have to do to be a trainer? I said well 1st you have to figure out what kind of training, and go from there. I said to her.. soon as you are old enough (16) do some volenteer work at the local aspca that will help you to get some good experience. Everyone is telling her that she is too young to volenteer.

She had said too that being an animal cop would be good for her. I told her she was mean eoungh for it. LOL I guess we need to try and get some research done for her to find out where she needs to go and how to start with it. She loves animals of any kind-- and wants to work with them in some way.

Wow! This sounds alot like me! I am only 13 too, but my sister just went off to college a few weeks ago, and my dad said I should start thinking about what I want to do when I grow up....And I have been taking my puppy, Wesley to training classes and I love every minute of it.... Buddy_DaMutt, what does your daughter use for the course...I have been trying to make one myself but just can't....
And also, Buddy_DaMutt, I definately HAVE to work with dogs in some way when I grow up!!!!

[oc_spirit]

The Natiional K9 hing would only be to teach you HOW to train animals, not WHY their methods work. I would suggest going for animal behaviour as well. Besides the more certifications, the more eligible you are the more people will have confidence in you to do a good job. Also animal behaviour opens doors for other career options that are still centered around animals if not dogs in specific.

A vet tech is the person who sets up for surgeries, takes care of recoverying pets, does the sanitation, MAY do the simple stuff like vaccines, health checks, etc. BAsically they are 2years of university short of being a veterinarian. They have all the basic knowledge of a vet, just can't do the intense stuff like surgeries, diagnosis, etc.

[oc_spirit]

Oh ya, one more thing, before making a full fledged commitment into this if you've only been working with your own dog and maybe a couple friend's dogs so far, I'd highly recommend trying to work with as many other dogs as possible. Not all dogs are the same, some are easier to train than others (especially your own) and some dogs have a very hard time responding to anyone except their owner. Other dogs have aggression issues that must be dealt with, some have "odd" fears that need to be worked out and that doesn't even begin the list of problems that show up with dogs. Are you prepared to commit to these types of dogs? Some dogs are so un-motivated, independent, and stubborn, it's difficult to convince them to do anything for you and that can be quite frusterating at times (*cough* ronin *cough*) do you have the patience to spend hours on end with this dog day in and day out (depending on the circumstances) to find the one thing that motivates him and then finding a way to incorporate that one thing into training?

[annie_so_pink]

Originally Posted by oc_spirit

The Natiional K9 thing would only be to teach you HOW to train animals, not WHY their methods work. I would suggest going for animal behaviour as well. Besides the more certifications, the more eligible you are the more people will have confidence in you to do a good job. Also animal behaviour opens doors for other career options that are still centered around animals if not dogs in specific.

A vet tech is the person who sets up for surgeries, takes care of recoverying pets, does the sanitation, MAY do the simple stuff like vaccines, health checks, etc. BAsically they are 2years of university short of being a veterinarian. They have all the basic knowledge of a vet, just can't do the intense stuff like surgeries, diagnosis, etc.

Ok..so, do most universities offer the animal behaviour thing?
Would the K-9 Learning Center be good to do with the other or just the animal behaviour alone?.....
I think it sounds a lot more fitting for me cuz I almost faint whenever I get a shot and I can't even watch when the vet gives my dogs a shot....