Basically, when a person thinks of working with animals, the only options that come to mind are veterinary
practices or pet grooming. There are many ways in which you can combine your interest in working with animals and make a living
out of it. The jobs based on scientific know-how, biology and veterinary medicine. Candidates need to be knowledgeable in
organic chemistry, calculus and physics.
Qualifications
To function as a professional animal trainer,
you have to understand animals and their specific behavior. Animal trainers are generally certified and if you want to be
successful trainer, you must gain a 2-year local college degree and also have some knowledge in business and psychology. Trainers
often set their own fees. A business license is a must for any trainer.
Job Prospects
You can also work
with a veterinarian as an assistant or technician, where you may be asked to check animal patients. You may have to clean
the cages and examination rooms. If you have a veterinary degree, then you qualify for vaccinating the animals and can assist
the veterinarian during surgical procedures.
Another job would be to work in a shelter, where you may have to assist
with euthanasia. Sometimes, non-profit shelters offer minimum wage, but city-run shelters offer wages set by the City Council.
State or local governing bodies certify all these positions. In some states, there is a set and identified basic difference
between veterinary technicians and assistants, so before you select your field of work, you should check with local authorities.
Grooming is also a profession for which you have to acquire some basic training. Some states offer certificate courses
for pet grooming. The costs of various training courses vary widely. These programs are usually not eligible for educational
loans.
You can also practice as a holistic practitioner for animals. You can heal animals by using traditional
methods, aided by the study of biology, nutrition and other sciences. To pursue this career, you should complete a certificate course. Some chiropractic
colleges also conduct animal programs. These practitioners are usually self-employed.
To be a professional veterinarian, you have to acquire a degree from a recognized university. It is very difficult
to get admission to these colleges. The preliminary requirements can be acquired from any local college and then, you could
pursue specialization in a veterinary college.
There is a dearth of veterinarians in the USA and this is not due
to lack of students, but fewer colleges. A professional veterinarian earns $90,000 to$225,000 a year.
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a dog trainer? Here you will find the requirements you should fulfill
and the time it may take you to make your dream come true.
Before considering a career in dog training, you should
consider some important requirements. You must be aware that loving dogs is not enough to be a successful trainer. You must
be proficient in dog behavior, learning theories, behavior modification, first aids (both human and canine), marketing and
business management.
In addition, you may want to train dogs for competitions, such as Schutzhund, Agility, Mondio
Ring, Freestyle, etc. In this case, you should have a strong knowledge of rules and competitive procedures.
To
make a long story short, the list below explains you the 17 most important requirements you must fulfill to be a dog trainer:
1. You must be passionate about working with dogs. Otherwise you will be very unhappy with your job. Taking away
exceptional cases, dog training is not a high-salary career. So, you should not expect to compensate frustrations with money.
That's why you really have to be passionate about working with dogs. Of course, this passion can only come if you love
dogs. If you don't love dogs and are not passionate about working with them, just look for another job.
2.
You must feel comfortable working with people. Feeling comfortable working with people is as being comfortable working with
dogs. That's because the job of a dog trainer involves teaching people as much as teaching dogs, or even more. If you
don't teach people how to handle their dogs in different situations, then they won't be able to control their pets.
As a consequence, your dog training business is not going to receive any good publicity.
3. You should be respectful
and kind with both people. Acting in an arrogant manner toward other trainers, dog owners, animal behaviorists or anyone,
can't help you. Arrogant behavior does not create word of mouth publicity. Even worse, people who attended a training
class with an arrogant instructor, tend to not go to the same place when they need help again. So, being polite and respectful
is part of developing your dog training business.
4. You should be respectful and kind with animals. This point
needs no further explanation. Nobody wants his dog be mistreated by a harsh trainer.
5. Develop teaching skills.
Since you are going to teach people how to handle and train their own dogs, you must have some teaching skills. There are
lots of good trainers that don't succeed because they can't teach people how to train their dogs.
6. Be
patient. Patience is perhaps the most important skill a dog trainer must master. Dogs can't be trained in a couple of
minutes. So, you need to be patient to allow the dog (and the owner) learn at their own pace.
7. Sense of humor.
You are going to find a lot of problems during training sessions. However, many of those problems are so funny that they deserve
a dose of humor. Having good sense of humor allows you to not get buried under a 'problematic job' and helps you to
be creative when solving a behavior issue.
8. Be honest. You have to tell the dog owner what really happens. Not
what he wants to hear. There are problems that can't be solved by training and, if you face one of those problems, you
should inform the dog owner. On the other hand, there could be some issues that you can't handle. Be honest with the dog
owner. If you can't address an issue (for instance, aggression) recommend another dog trainer who can.
9. Never
underestimate the skills of other dog trainers. It does not matter if they use old techniques that you don't approve.
Every dog trainer has his own method and nobody should be underestimated by the way he trains. Of course, you may disagree
with other dog trainers, but never underestimate them.
10. Learn about several dog training techniques, even the
old ones. Knowing the pros and cons of each technique will let you choose the right ones. This does not mean you should try
every technique you've heard about. But reading books and watching videos about different techniques may teach something
new and improve your training skills.
11. Keep up to date on the science of animal behavior and learning theories.
Dog training is not a science but it is based on some scientific principles. As a good dog trainer you have to be up to date
on animal behavior and learning theories to take advantage of recent discoveries.
12. Read a lot about dog training,
but don't believe all you read. There are lots of myths and hypes in dog trainer. As a dog trainer you should keep some
skepticism and critical thinking.
13. Learn about marketing, publicity and business management. If you are a professional
dog trainer, then you have to manage your dog training business. Otherwise you are not a pro.
14. Learn about dog
nutrition, health and care. Put a lot of attention of dog first-aids because you will need them sometime. Besides, learn about
management of kennels, doggy daycare, etc.
