Nearly half of Hoosier homes have a hound, which is awesome news if you’re planning to become a dog trainer in Indiana. Plenty of dogs equals plenty of potential dog training clients!
If you’re a dog lover looking to work with animals, dog training has great prospects for self-employment. It’s a career that allows you to be active, meet lots of dogs (and people), and change lives, because that’s what trainers do, essentially. By teaching dogs basic obedience, they transform rowdy dogs into well-behaved ones, allowing dogs and their people to enjoy a more fulfilling and pleasant relationship.
Animal Behavior College Recognized by Top Pet Industry and News Sources
How to Become a Dog Trainer in Indiana
There’s a lot to learn if you want to be a successful dog trainer in Indiana. You need to understand how dogs learn, study behavior-modification techniques, know how to effectively use the tools of the trade (clickers, training treats, harnesses, crates, etc.), recognize canine characteristics and personalities, master training principles, and learn how to plan problem solving strategies for individual dogs.
Getting certified through a dog obedience school is a great way to launch your career. While it’s unlikely that you live within driving distance of a brick and mortar dog obedience school, that’s no reason to give up on your dream of becoming a trainer. Animal Behavior College has been teaching people to become dog trainers online for over two decades.
With ABC, you can enroll wherever you live, whenever you like. As long as you have reliable internet service, you can enroll and get right to work on the first stage of our curriculum: A Basic Overview of Canines.
The program takes about a year to complete. Once you’re certified, you have the option of working for an established company or hanging out your own shingle–dog training is great if you want to start your own business or have an awesome side gig!
Dog Trainer Career Earning Potential in California
Dog Trainer Career Earning Potential
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Academy of Pet Careers, Indeed.com and Talent.com 2024. Hourly rates may vary in your area.
Dog Trainer Career Earning Potential in Texas
Dog Trainer Career Earning Potential in Virginia
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Academy of Pet Careers, Indeed.com and Talent.com 2024. Own Your Own Business earnings statistics reference the prices charged in 2025 for private in-person dog training lessons, based on what multiple companies charge across various cities in the specified state. Hourly rates may vary in your area.
Getting Dog Training Experience
You’re probably scratching your head and wondering, “How do I learn dog training without practicing on real dogs?”
ABC solved that problem a long time ago. We’ve developed a huge network of mentor partners-professional trainers who live throughout the United States. Once a student has finished the online coursework, we pair him or her with a local mentor for invaluable real world experience. The “externship” requires at least 15 hours with your mentor.
Our students gain confidence in their abilities as they practice their skills alongside a professional trainer.
Don't Just Take Our Word For It
Indiana Could Use More Dog Trainers
By becoming a dog trainer you could help Indiana dogs become solid canine citizens and foster the lifelong bond between dog and owner.
Check out the ABC Dog Obedience Program today. Call 1-800-795-3294 to speak to an admissions counselor. Just imagine: within a year, you could be working as a certified dog trainer!
