Career advice: How to become a dog trainer | Newsolio

There are many steps to starting your own dog training business. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

There were approximately 60 million pet dogs in the United States in 2002, a figure that has remained fairly stable over the last decade or so. As people are crowded more closely into cities, and, subsequently, apartments, the demand for well-behaved pets has increased. This demand has created an increased need for pet trainers, as well.

It is interesting to note that there is no consistent set of training requirements for dog trainers nationwide. Most states and municipalities do not require any certification at all for an individual to start a training school, other than the standard licenses that every business needs to operate legally. It is best, however, if someone offering dog training classes is actually qualified to train dogs. Despite the lack of requirements, it takes approximately three to five years of hands-on training and handling to become a good novice-level dog trainer. Becoming a master trainer can take decades. Here are some ways that you can get the minimum qualifications that you need:

* Training *

Schools:

Career advice: How to become a dog trainer

In the past two decades, many schools devoted to pet dog training have sprung up all around the United States. Many of these schools provide hands-on training for their students, while other provide only lecture. The training philosophy between schools varies as well. It is important for the future trainer to learn the differences between positive training, clicker training, and punishment training, and decide which of these philosophies is most appealing. The next trick, then, is to find a school that teaches its students in accordance with those philosophies. A search of the Internet will provide a list of schools for you to research. Be certain that before you enroll in any institution, you get the names and phone numbers of at least three former students for references.

If you are unable to enroll in a dog trainers? school, then you may be able to educate yourself through seminars and workshops. The major purebred dog registries frequently hold seminars in conjunction with all-breed dog shows or as stand-alone events. You may be able to get hands-on experience at these events, but keep in mind that they are not ongoing events. In order to practice and capitalize on the education you get at seminars and workshops, you may want to find other people with which to practice.

Stores:

One way to become an entry-level dog trainer is to apply for a program at a ?pet superstore? that offers training classes. These stores supply their trainers with lessons that last between 14 and 30 days. The classes that they offer cover basic pet obedience and suggestions for correcting minor behavioral problems. People who take these courses often use them as a method of breaking into their own business.

* Apprentice *

On some occasions it is impossible to get formal education to become a dog trainer. If you are unable to attend a ?brick and mortar? school, it is best not to attend the ?schools? that offer online certification. It is not possible to become an effective dog trainer without having used the methods on a dog while in class. Should a training school, store training, or seminars be unavailable, call the professional dog training schools in your area to see if they have a trainer willing to let you work as an apprentice. Even if the school is unable to provide you with an apprenticeship, either the instructors or the staff might be able to provide you with names of trainers looking for an apprentice. Keep in mind that apprentices may not be paid, unless they start calling classes on their own.

* Experience *

Because there are no state or national certification requirements, if you feel you have sufficient experience, you can open your own dog training school. In most cases, in order to do so, you need to have put at least one obedience title on one dog in any recognized association. If you are going to be teaching competition obedience classes, instead of pet obedience classes, you should have put at least one advanced title on at least one dog.

* Preparing to Open Your School *

Once you have gotten your education, had your apprenticeship, or determined you have enough experience, other steps remain to complete the process. You need to establish your credentials, network with other trainers, finance a location, get licensing, and advertise. Doing all of these things can be time-consuming and complex, but necessary if your business is going to be a success.

Establishing credentials:

From the very beginning, it is important to establish your credentials. It is all well and good to call yourself a dog trainer, but people like to see the paperwork. If you have graduated from a school, don?t be afraid to display your certificates. If you have brought your dogs to obedience trials and have won ribbons, don?t be afraid to display those, as well. It is important that you make an attempt to put a title on one or more of your dogs. Titling your dog will give you credibility mere certificates can?t. A good part of establishing your credentials is connected with networking, covered in the following section.

Networking with other trainers:

As with any other service-based job, it is important to involve yourself with others in your field. Professional organizations become very important for sharing knowledge and support. Professional organizations include dog training clubs, breed clubs, and dog trainers? associations. A good dog trainer will belong to at least one of each of these organizations, as well as maintaining contact with the school from which he or she graduated. These organizations can do more than provide information about training dogs. They can also allow trainers to share information about jobs, clients, advice regarding problems assisting with clients or dogs, or legal issues. Membership in a training club will also allow you to keep your own dogs? skills sharp and practice sequences or behaviors that you will be teaching your students.

Business plan and licensing:

If you are going to have a location of your own, rather than working within the confines of an established school, you are going to need to do a little research. What are the local ordinances in the area where you?d be establishing your facility regarding noise, animals, and general use? What kind of insurance will you need? What kind of licensing is required? Can you hold your classes in a vacant lot? A parking lot? Must you be confined inside a building with sufficient parking and bathroom facilities? How many other training facilities exist in your area, and what kind of needs do they serve? Are there enough clients for you to share? If so, what will make clients want to come to you, instead of your more established competitors? You must learn all of these things before you take the next step: financing your business with a business plan.

Once you have done the research for a location, and have established where you wish to work, you should create a business plan. This plan will incorporate your previous research, as well as the mission statement of your school, your short term and long term goals, and your projected expenses and earnings. Include information about any other professionals that you work with, such as a lawyer or an accountant. A business plan is not just a proposal to the bank to request funding for your project; it should also be the foundation upon which you build your business. Even after you have submitted your business plan to a lender and have had your funding approved, you need to maintain it and modify it on an annual basis. Many books have been written about putting together a good business plan, and many banks or lending institutions will provide a business plan kit to get you started. If you are uncertain how to proceed after receiving your kit, some colleges and universities provide assistance or continuing education classes for beginning entrepreneurs.

Locations:

Not every dog trainer has a 30,000 square foot facility filled with jumps, mats, ring gates, and cones. Here are a few ideas for locations where you can operate your training school:

• ?Clients? homes: a lot of clients enjoy the convenience of you going to them. This kind of arrangement can make things a bit difficult for the trainer, due to a higher degree of personal distractions being available in the immediate area. Working with a client in his or her home should not be dismissed out of hand, however, due to the low cost of doing business for the trainer.
• ?Established schools: if there are already training schools set up in your area, they may be willing to take on another trainer. Offer to work unusual or less desirable hours, or to substitute teaching classes for trainers who would otherwise have to cancel classes due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts. Such work might be irregular at first, but will help you establish yourself as a presence at the school.
• ?Parking lots: many new trainers use parking lots to get their businesses started. Privately owned pet supply stores are a good starting point to look for locations of this sort, since you can use treats and other supplies that you have purchased for your class. Doing so encourages your students to do the same, increasing the store owners? profits as well as your own. Some veterinary clinics may also be a possibility for parking lot leases.
• ?Public Parks: check with your municipality to see if they have any public parks or public use land that you can use on a weekly basis. There may be a fee to use the facility and you may be required to carry your own insurance to use such facility. Many parks do provide minimal conveniences, such as open-sided covered structures that may be used in case of rain or bathroom facilities.
• ?Public Schools: some high schools and colleges will allow you to lease their gymnasium or other large, empty space for your classes. If you are lucky enough to be approved to run a continuing education pet obedience class sponsored by the school, much of your advertising will be covered by the school?s catalogue.
• ?Shelters: volunteer your services to a local animal shelter or rescue. Not only will you have the privilege of working with homeless dogs, improving their chances to be adopted, you may also build a clientele. Some shelters will allow you to hand out fliers or business cards. Failing that, they may offer to put your advertisement in their newsletter or magazine, or place your business cards where visitors can see them and take them.

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