Love Animals? Here's How to Start a Dog-Training Business

Listen in! Pick up some expert advice to a reader's question that we selected from CyberSchmooz.

Pets provide immense comfort and companionship to their owners for years or even decades. The bond between humans and animals, especially our favorite four-legged furry friends, is hard to rival. If you're a dog-lover looking to start a new career, why not consider becoming a dog trainer?

With various routes to take on your way to starting a dog-training company, this is an excellent option for people who value independence and love spending time with animals. If you're ready to dive in, here's how to take the first step.

Choose a Speciality

No two animals or human owners have precisely the same problems or needs. As such, no two dog-training businesses need to look exactly alike either! With so many specialties to choose from within the wide world of training, you'll need to examine your interests and strengths.

Because service animal registration and training are so arduous and involve lots of specific training, people who train service dogs can make really good money. That said, the constraints on the training protocol are much tighter since they are under regulation by law.

If service animal training isn't your speed, don't fret! You can specialize in puppy housetraining, sports or competition training, or help dogs overcome anxiety.

Seek Education

There is no formal education required to break into the world of dog training. That said, you must master your craft before seeking out clients. You can start out learning on your own by training your dog and working with friends' pets. This is a great way to get some baseline experience.

You can also look for in-person or online courses for dog training. Believe it or not, there are tried and true techniques for training pets. The more you understand and practice these skills, the easier time you'll have working with a dog.

Alternatively, you could connect with a skilled dog trainer who you can learn from or apply for a job at a dog training school.

No matter which route you choose, you'll gain valuable knowledge, experience, and insight that can help you start strong when you open your business.

Consider Credentials

While you do not need any specific certification or license to call yourself a dog trainer, seeking out credentials can give you a leg up on the competition when looking for new clients.

There are a variety of professional organizations you can join, such as The Association of Professional Dog Trainers, which can prove to prospective clients that you take your role seriously. These organizations also provide helpful industry insights and educational opportunities, so you can continue to grow in the field.

Additionally, you can seek out certificates if you are looking to beef up your business profile. Typically, they require you to complete a hefty number of training hours and pass an exam.

Why Wait?

Once you feel confident in your training abilities, it's time to build your business and start accepting clients. Check local business regulations in your area to ensure you're following all the correct steps. Why wait any longer? The sooner you get started, the sooner you can help dogs and owners build healthy, trustful bonds that'll last for years to come.

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