Last Updated on September 20, 2023
If you’re a pet parent, then chances are you are already well aware of some of the basic tricks you can teach your dog. From sitting, to rolling over, to even shaking your hand or giving you a high five, teaching your dogs tricks and even training them can be fun and daunting.
But for some of us, training dogs can be fairly difficult. Basic obedience and positive reinforcement can be a challenge, which leaves us needing the help of private lessons from an animal trainer.
Now I can almost hear you debate within yourself whether or not you need the help of an animal trainer. Sure, you could always do so yourself, and of course, you’d be saving up a fair amount if you decide to train your dog by yourself. But with a variety of animal behavior and personalities, training your dog alone can be quite the task.
In this feature, we’re going to talk about the average salary that the dog training business has to offer, how much a professional dog trainer makes, what it’s like in the dog training industry, and how you can make the training experience for your dog much more bearable.
Let’s get right into it!
Dog Trainers: How Much Do They Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, dog trainers (which are commonly classified as animal trainers) have an estimated salary of $33,600 per year. Also, it helps to know that dog trainers specifically are known to make more money than the average trainer, and can even go for $40,000 annually in some states.
For the average salary of a professional dog trainer, they usually make $12.56 an hour. Depending on your experience and area, the average dog trainer hourly wage rates may vary.
Dog Training As A Career
If dog training is something you’re really fond of or really passionate about, they being a professional dog trainer may be the best option for you. You get to be exposed to different types of dogs, help make a change in an owner’s experience with their pet, and most importantly, you get to have fun and actually get paid for it!
Since you’re already well aware of the trainer salary, then chances are you have a decent overview of what the pay is like, and know beforehand if it’s enough to cover your needs.
Becoming A Dog Trainer
Much more easier said then don, there’s a lot more to consider with dog training than just treats, rewarding your dog with their favorite dog food after each exercise, and playing around the house. The training business can be a bit demanding, and aside from the training program and training skills you need to invest on, you really have to reflect if it’s a worthy enough career choice for you.
First off, you’re going to want to make sure that you really take in the time to learn the fundamentals of dog behavior. It’s always a good idea to have some basic or formal education regarding their temperaments and tendencies. After all, canine behavior should always be considered before making any methods to start your training career.
Next up, learn to improve and always seek experience in what you love doing. There are higher chances of landing high paying training stints if you have enough experience.
Another thing is that you always have to pause and reflect on your gained skills throughout the weeks, months, and years of your training experience.
After doing so, you’re going to want to start investing on the tools you’ll be needing, and start breaking gradually into the training business. After all, you don’t want to be an average dog trainer: you want to be the best!
The Wrap Up
And there we have it! We hope this feature was able to help you out in deciding whether or not you should purse your passion for dog training. At the end of the day, all you want to be doing is to cater to all the dog’s needs and have fun while doing your training!
