Becoming a certified dog trainer seems like the perfect job for so many canine lovers. But just because you are a lover of animals does not mean you will enjoy being a dog trainer or thrive at it. Still, many others will succeed if they choose to take that path.
It takes a lot of hard work and a serious financial commitment to become a certified dog trainer. You will likely want to go into the certification process knowing that you’re not wasting your time. Here are a few things to do to prepare yourself to become a certified dog trainer:
Be Prepared for the Reality of the Job
You likely want to be a dog trainer because of your love for the animal. But not all of the work you will do as a trainer will be pleasant. You’ll have to work with dogs who are going through serious behavioral issues and are causing major problems with their owner. In fact, most of the time an owner has paid for your service, it will be because there is an issue to correct. It’s important to be prepared for this reality ahead of time.
Do Some Research
You’ll learn the majority of the information you’ll need to know in most certification courses if you choose to go that route, but it’s important to have a base of knowledge going in. Our courses are the most comprehensive courses available to budding dog trainers. Also, much of modern dog training is based on animal behavioral science. Working through this science is included in each of our courses, so you don’t have to be an expert going in, but familiarizing yourself with it could give you a leg up.
Start With Your Own Dog
There’s no better way to discover how much you’ll like training dogs than to start with your own. If possible, go beyond just the basics of “sit.” Work with your dog to teach it advanced skills and engage in physical activity as well. Working with your own dog will shed some light on seeing if you’ll enjoy working with other dogs.
If you believe you’re ready to jump into a certification class, Dog Trainer College is here for you. We can help you becoming certified as an obedience trainer, master trainer, K-9 trainer, service dog trainer, and more. Call 800-795-4201 today to learn more about our online and in-person classes.
