Online School for Dog Trainers
If you’re weighing potential careers and wondering how to become a dog trainer, you should explore our online dog trainer academy. Anyone in the U.S. or Canada can enroll in Animal Behavior College and become a certified trainer in about a year.
ABC’s program works because we offer an in-person component as well as online classwork. Without the chance to practice with real dogs, it’s hard to imagine learning how to become a trainer. In ABC’s externship, you’ll work alongside a mentor who will observe and guide you as you develop your dog handling skills.
ABC graduates leave the program confident in their knowledge and skills and with the certification to back them up.
Is Dog Training a Good Fit For Me?
Not everyone is cut out to be a dog obedience trainer; it can be a demanding career. But for dog lovers who want to help canines lead their best lives, it’s a highly rewarding choice. You might seriously consider becoming a dog trainer if you:
- Love the idea of helping humans bond with their dogs
- Have a passion for dogs
- Would like a career that allows you to be physically active instead of stuck at a desk
- Are looking for flexible working hours
- Want something with solid job prospects
- Think you might want to start your own business
Do I Need A License or Certification to Become a Dog Trainer?
If you want to know whether licensing or certification is legally required, the answer is “no.” If you want to learn how to become a dog trainer who will actually be hired, the answer is probably “yes.” Going through the certification process gives you a wider, well-rounded knowledge of dog training. More importantly, pet owners look for credentials when searching for a trainer. So do employers. Getting certified gives you legitimacy.
You can get certified as a dog trainer in one of two ways. First, you can go through a dog trainer organization for certification. Dog trainer organizations have varying sets of criteria and, educational components, and they often require a certain amount of professional experience.
A second option for certification is to enroll in a dog training school. These programs offer formal classes, and some, like ABC, require an externship for hands-on learning. The coursework at ABC provides a thorough grounding in the history, theory, and science of dog training as well as the experience of working with a professional mentor.
How Do I Choose the Best Dog Training Program?
Do a little research on potential dog trainer organizations and schools to see which best suits your needs. The more credible schools will, of course, have alliances with with recognized dog training associations, such as the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI).
It is also a plus if your chosen school’s administrators have a good reputation in the field. ABC’s founder, Steven Appelbaum, is an award-winning professional dog trainer, and he understands the business inside and out. Since 1998, Animal Behavior College has certified thousands of dog trainers.
Finally, take a look at the requirements of the certifying organizations or the curriculum of any schools you are considering. Do the classes offer a thorough base of knowledge? Does the school foster positive reinforcement training? Will you get hands-on experience? Is there support in place to help graduates succeed?
ABC Goes the Extra Mile for Dog Training Students
We pride ourselves in giving students the best possible opportunity to succeed in their chosen career. Our curriculum offers so much more than just the basics, and each student has a professional trainer assigned to be their program manager. So, while you may be working alone on your computer, you can always find help and guidance. Our students give their program managers high marks.
The curriculum was developed by professional trainers and provides an excellent foundation for trainers. As part of ABC’s coursework, students must pass Pet CPR and First Aid as well as complete 18-20 hours of externship with a mentor.
In addition, one of the eleven stages of ABC’s coursework focuses on building business skills–especially helpful if you need assistance marketing yourself, if you want to create a stronger resume, or if you are thinking of starting your own dog training business.
Even after students finish the program, ABC’s alumni benefits give graduates a leg up. First, the ABC alumni group includes over 14,900 ABC certified dog trainers. This makes it the largest independent group of dog trainers in North America. That’s relevant because of the potential for networking and the chance to foster professional connections.
Once you earn your ABC dog training certification, you will get access to our private job postings site. You will also be listed on the school’s directory of certified graduates, making it easy for those seeking a dog trainer in your area to find you. ABC offers graduates access to a variety of applicable business forms as well as a low-cost website service so that you can maintain your own web page complete with a contact link. ABC loves to see graduates succeed!
Take the Next Step!
In twelve months, you could be a certified dog trainer! Contact ABC for more information or to set up an interview with an admissions counselor. After your interview, you can complete the official application process and, once admitted, get started on your coursework. Enrollment is open, so you may start at any time. Call 800-795-3294 and set up an interview today!
