# How would one go about being a professional dog trainer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 26, 2019, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277 "2019-08-26T20:15:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/1 "2019-08-26T20:15:58Z")
This is for a friend, don’t need answer fast. I understand you might need to start out working for somebody else, which is fine, but end goal would be being your own boss. So far I got: [ul] [li]Decide you want to be a dog trainer[/li][li]???[/li][li]Start your dog trainer business[/li][li]Profit![/li][/ul] Please fill in the blanks. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/2 "2019-08-26T20:38:11Z")
> **[Becoming a professional dog trainer - CCPDT](https://www.ccpdt.org/dog-owners/become-dog-trainer/)** > > Want to be a dog trainer? Keep these 3 steps in mind as you explore a career or business as a dog training professional: education, experience, and certification. > **[Becoming a dog trainer](https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/behavior/becoming-dog-trainer)** > > Interested in pursuing dog training as a career, but aren't sure where to start? Here's our best advice for anyone thinking about a job in the field. > **[How To Become A Dog Trainer: Things To Know About Dog Training](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/how-to-become-a-dog-trainer/)** > > Becoming a dog trainer can be incredibly rewarding, but it comes with challenges, and it takes hard work to become the best dog trainer you can possibly be. > **[Our Program |](https://catchdogtrainers.com/our-program/)** > > Looking to become a certified dog trainer? CATCH Canine Trainers Academy can help you become a certified dog trainer with our convenient online programs. > **[Karen Pryor Academy](https://karenpryoracademy.com/)** > > Karen Pryor Academy offers dog trainer courses for all levels. Earn certification in the Dog Trainer Professional Program or choose from a wide range of online courses for beginners and experienced dog trainers. There are plenty of on line resources to help you down that path. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/3 "2019-08-26T20:42:24Z")
I think it’s like many other professions: - you need to be competent at what you do - you need to have evidence of that skill - you need to have a business plan - you need to have funding in place whilst you build up the business ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/4 "2019-08-26T20:42:46Z")
Be good enough training dogs that people will pay you to do it. That’s it. There’s no special licensing requirement that I’m aware of. My neighbor started as a dog walker then began to bill himself as a dog trainer. Getting and keeping clients was harder than going into business so he has since found other work. Mrs. Charming and Rested and I took our rescue puppy to obedience class with two trainers. One was a senior trainer working on her master’s degree in animal behavior and the other was a junior trainer who was a long-time dog owner and volunteer at the shelter. The junior trainer was ten times better than the senior trainer. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/5 "2019-08-26T21:10:56Z")
I know dog trainers, vet techs, friends who volunteer at shelters or who foster shelter dogs, and someone who raises and trains labs from pups to be support dogs (real support dogs). You didn’t say how much experience your friend has with dogs, but I would say if that’s something your friend wants to do then having a great deal of experience with many types of breeds and temperaments should be a prerequisite. If your friend thinks they want to be a dog trainer because they have and love their own dogs, and they like dogs in general, I would suggest that step 2 would be to immerse him/herself for a good period of time in the world of dogs by volunteering at a shelter; grooming, cleaning kennels, walking, and gentle manners training. ETA: and possibly doing dog-walking part time through a program like [Rover.com](http://Rover.com). That would give them a platform to get a potential training client base and referrals. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/6 "2019-08-26T21:16:59Z")
The Dog Whisper, Cesar Milan has said he started with a dog walking service. There’s photos of him walking several leashed dogs. [https://images.app.goo.gl/HWjbRXyqW17JYDUe9](https://images.app.goo.gl/HWjbRXyqW17JYDUe9) Clients noticed he could control their often unruly pets. That lead to inquiries about training their dogs. A dog walking service is a good way to get practice in controlling and training dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/7 "2019-08-26T21:19:58Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The Dog Whisper, Cesar Milan has said he started with a dog walking service. There’s photos of him on rollar blades with several leashed dogs. > > Clients noticed he could control their pets. That lead to inquiries about training their dogs. OP, tell your friend not to model themselves off of Cesar Milan. To paraphrase Apocalypse Now, his methods are widely considered to be…unsound. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/8 "2019-08-26T21:25:04Z")
I wasn’t recommending Cesar’s training methods. Only that professional dog walking is a way to get started. Professionals get several dogs from the same building. It takes dog handling skill to get them walking together without any dog fights. The technique used is entirely up to the handler and clients. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/9 "2019-08-26T21:45:33Z")
Like most small service businesses having a likable trustworthy personality is just as important as your ability to train dogs. Do you have time and space for board and care? Would someone be helping you? Running a couple of training classes produces income and also can kick start your clientele. I think you need to take an inventory of your related assets and skills and then go from there. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/10 "2019-08-26T22:10:20Z")
One of my dog’s trainers–and frankly, one of the better ones–learned her trade in prison. You can still have your dog trained by Colorado prisoners. There’s a long waiting list. And of course you have to leave them there. But she was working out of PetsMart when she worked with Pongo. She’s not there anymore. I hope she’s not back in prison. I do not recommend this for your friend. Just saying. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/11 "2019-08-26T22:41:48Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > OP, tell your friend not to model themselves off of Cesar Milan. To paraphrase Apocalypse Now, his methods are widely considered to be…unsound. “The horror! The horrororor… Aroooooo!” ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/12 "2019-08-27T12:51:36Z")
One thing to mention that I suspect a lot of people don’t realize is that a large part of being a dog trainer is actually training the dog’s owners! The owner needs to learn to understand dog body language to at least a small extent and to understand what communication methods work better than others. People tend to assume that dogs naturally understand our motives and what we want them to do without having to be told (which is why people end up doing the "spot, come. come spot. come! spot, COME!) thing. People are also wildly inconsistent in both behavior and communication, which confuses the dog and is counter-productive to training. So I would say that in addition to what everyone else is advising, the OP’s friend should also be fairly good working with people! And patient! ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/13 "2019-08-27T15:08:46Z")
> [@JcWoman](#): > > One thing to mention that I suspect a lot of people don’t realize is that a large part of being a dog trainer is actually training the dog’s owners! The owner needs to learn to understand dog body language to at least a small extent and to understand what communication methods work better than others. People tend to assume that dogs naturally understand our motives and what we want them to do without having to be told (which is why people end up doing the "spot, come. come spot. come! spot, COME!) thing. People are also wildly inconsistent in both behavior and communication, which confuses the dog and is counter-productive to training. So I would say that in addition to what everyone else is advising, the OP’s friend should also be fairly good working with people! And patient! Yep. My Wife and I go for our training tomorrow. We are having our two border collies/mixes trained. Never needed to do that before, but my Wife and I needed a little help. These two mind great. When they want to. If they see a squirrel or deer, you may as well be on another planet as far as they are concerned. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/14 "2019-08-27T16:15:33Z")
To my knowledge, in the US, there are no certifications or licensing requirement to become a dog trainer. Calling yourself a _professional_ would be more of an advertising gimmick as there are no regulatory standards for the profession of dog training. There are a couple of organizations that you could join to bolster your _supposed_ credentials: [https://www.ccpdt.org/](https://www.ccpdt.org/) and [https://apdt.com/](https://apdt.com/) These are both membership organizations, from which you can obtain _their_ certification, but both appear akin to getting your on-line ordination to conduct weddings. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/15 "2019-08-27T16:44:51Z")
> [@JcWoman](#): > > One thing to mention that I suspect a lot of people don’t realize is that a large part of being a dog trainer is actually training the dog’s owners! The owner needs to learn to understand dog body language to at least a small extent and to understand what communication methods work better than others. People tend to assume that dogs naturally understand our motives and what we want them to do without having to be told (which is why people end up doing the "spot, come. come spot. come! spot, COME!) thing. People are also wildly inconsistent in both behavior and communication, which confuses the dog and is counter-productive to training. So I would say that in addition to what everyone else is advising, the OP’s friend should also be fairly good working with people! And patient! ^This is the most important part. Most dogs want to please their owners, that’s not the hard part. It is teaching the dog what is pleasing tot he owner that is the hard part, and that is mostly because it is something that the owners have to do. Dog crave attention, so if the only time you give them attention is when they misbehave, then you are rewarding them for bad behavior. You can teach a dog tricks, you can (usually) break them of aggression, and you can work on unlearning some bad habits, but for the dog to be a good pet, the owner needs to be involved. OP, what your friend needs to do depends on what he knows now. If he just likes dogs and wants to get into training, then that is a much bigger step than if he already has a good training relationship with dogs, and is just looking for how to turn that into a business. How much experience does he have training dogs? ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-one-go-about-being-a-professional-dog-trainer/839277/16 "2019-08-27T21:05:32Z")
Thanks for the answers so far folks. To answer some questions, my friend is just in a soul crushing profession and loves dogs and would like to make a living working with them. Good with dogs, but no formal experience training.