Do you love dogs and want to make a living by working with them? Becoming a dog trainer might be your perfect career choice. A dog trainer is a professional who teaches dogs various skills and behaviors, such as obedience, agility, service, or therapy. As a dog trainer, you can help dogs and their owners live happier and healthier lives. But how do you become a dog trainer in NY, one of the world’s most populous and diverse cities?
Becoming a dog trainer in New York is easier than you might think. You must follow some simple steps and be passionate about learning and improving your craft. In this article, we will guide you through becoming a dog trainer in New York, from learning the basics of dog training to starting your own business. Whether you want to work as a full-time or part-time dog trainer or as a hobby, this article will help you achieve your goals. Let’s get started!
Qualifications and Education
Qualifications and education are The first things you need to become a dog trainer. You need to know how to train dogs. It would help if you learned about dogs and how they think, feel, and act. You also need to learn about people and how to work with them.
Education Requirements
There are no official education requirements to be a dog trainer. You don’t need a degree or a diploma. But you do need some knowledge and skills. You can learn them from different sources, such as:
Books: You can read books about dogs and dog training. Some good books are:
- Don’t Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
- The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
- How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves by Sophia Yin
Online courses: You can take online courses about dogs and dog training. Some good online courses are:
- Dog Trainer Foundations by Karen Pryor Academy
- Dog Training 101 by Udemy
- Dog Emotion and Cognition by Coursera
Podcasts: You can listen to podcasts about dogs and dog training. Some good podcasts are:
- Drinking from the Toilet by Hannah Branigan
- Canine Conversations by Robert Cabral
- The Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast by Melissa Breau
Certifications
There are no official certifications to be a dog trainer. You don’t need a license or a certificate. But you can get them if you want. They can show that you are a professional and a good dog trainer. They can also help you get more clients and more money. You can get certifications from different organizations, such as:
- The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT): This is the most recognized organization for dog trainers. It offers two certifications: Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge and Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA). To get these certifications, you must pass exams and have experience in dog training.
- The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) is an organization for animal behavior consultants. It offers four certifications: Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Certified Cat Behavior Consultant (CCBC), Certified Parrot Behavior Consultant (CPBC), and Certified Horse Behavior Consultant (CHBC). To get these certifications, you must pass exams and have experience in animal behavior consulting.
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT): This is an organization for dog trainers. It offers one certification: Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT). To get this certification, you must pass an exam and have experience in dog training.
Getting certified in New York is beneficial because:
- It shows that you have knowledge and skills in dog training.
- It makes you stand out from other dog trainers.
- It gives you credibility and trust with your clients.
- It helps you follow the best practices and standards in dog training.
Gaining Practical Experience
The second thing you need to become a dog trainer is practical experience. You need to practice your skills and work with dogs and people. It would help if you showed that you can train dogs well and help them and their owners.
Apprenticeship Opportunities
One way to gain practical experience is to do an apprenticeship. An apprenticeship is when you work with a professional dog trainer and learn from them. You can help them with their clients and their dogs. You can also get feedback and advice from them. You can do an apprenticeship for free or for a fee. You can also get paid or get a discount for your training.
There are many apprenticeship programs in New York. Some of them are:
- Instinct Dog Behavior & Training: This dog training company offers an apprenticeship program for aspiring dog trainers. You can learn about dog behavior, training, and business. You can also work with different kinds of dogs and clients. You can apply for the program online or by phone.
- Andrea Arden Dog Training: This dog training company offers an apprenticeship program for aspiring dog trainers. You can learn about dog behavior, training, and business. You can also work with different kinds of dogs and clients. You can apply for the program online or by email.
- School For The Dogs: This dog training company offers an apprenticeship program for aspiring dog trainers. You can learn about dog behavior, training, and business. You can also work with different kinds of dogs and clients. You can apply for the program online or by email.
Internships and Volunteer Work
Another way to gain practical experience is to do an internship or volunteer work. An internship is when you work with a dog training company or organization and learn from them. You can help them with their tasks and projects. You can also get experience and exposure in the industry. Volunteer work is when you work with a dog shelter or rescue and help them with their dogs. You can help them with their training and socialization. You can also get experience and satisfaction in helping dogs in need.
There are many internships and volunteer work opportunities in New York. Some of them are:
- Animal Care Centers of NYC: This shelter cares for homeless and abandoned animals in New York. You can volunteer to help them with their dogs. You can walk, play, train, or groom them. You can also help them with their adoption events and outreach programs. You can apply to volunteer online or by phone.
- ASPCA: This organization fights for animal welfare and rights in New York. You can intern or volunteer to help them with their dogs. You can assist with their behavior, training, or medical programs. You can also help them with advocacy, education, or research projects. You can apply to intern or volunteer online or by email.
- Best Friends Animal Society: This organization works to end the killing of animals in shelters in New York. You can intern or volunteer to help them with their dogs. You can support their adoption, foster, or transport programs. You can also help them with their events, campaigns, or fundraising activities. You can apply to intern or volunteer online or by phone.
Building a Network in the Industry
The fourth thing you need to become a dog trainer is a network in the industry. You must meet and talk with other dog trainers and people who like dogs. It would help if you learned from them, got help from them, and got more clients.
Networking Events
One way to build a network in the industry is to go to networking events. Networking events allow you to meet and talk with other dog trainers and people who like dogs. You can share your ideas, experiences, and goals. You can also make friends, find mentors, or get clients.
There are many networking events in New York. Some of them are:
- APDT Conference: This is for dog trainers and people who like dogs. The Association of Professional Dog Trainers organizes it. It has workshops, seminars, and webinars. It also has social events like parties, dinners, and tours. It is held every year in different places. You can register for the conference online or by phone.
- Dog Writers Association of America Awards Banquet: This is a banquet for dog writers and people who like dogs. The Dog Writers Association of America organizes it. It has awards, speeches, and raffles. It also has networking opportunities like meeting, greeting, and mingling. It is held every year in New York. You can register for the banquet online or by email.
- NYC Doggies and Tiaras Pageant: This pageant is for dogs and people who like dogs. The NYC Doggies and Tiaras Pageant organizes it. It has contests, prizes, and entertainment. It also has networking opportunities like chatting, laughing, and cheering. It is held every year in New York. You can register for the pageant online or by phone.
Online Platforms
Another way to build a network in the industry is to use online platforms. Online platforms are websites or apps where you can connect with other dog trainers and people who like dogs. You can post, comment, or message. You can also follow, like, or share.
There are many online platforms in New York. Some of them are:
- Meetup: This is a website where you can find and join groups of people who share your interests. You can find groups of dog trainers and people who like dogs. You can also create your group. You can join events, such as walks, talks, or parties. You can also host events like classes, workshops, or games.
- Facebook: This is a website where you can create and join pages and groups of people who share your interests. You can find pages and groups of dog trainers and people who like dogs. You can also create your page or group. You can post, comment, or message. You can also follow, like, or share.
- Instagram: This app allows you to share photos and videos of yourself and your dogs. You can find and follow other dog trainers and people who like dogs. You can also get followers and likes. You can post, comment, or message. You can also share stories or reels.
Understanding Local Laws and Regulations
The fifth thing you need to become a dog trainer is to understand local laws and regulations. You need to know the rules and laws for dog trainers in New York. You need to follow them and stay legal.
Licensing Requirements
One rule that applies to dog trainers in New York is licensing. Licensing is when you get permission from the government to do your job. You must obtain a license to be a dog trainer in New York. To get a permit, you need to:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Have at least two years of experience in dog training.
- Pass a background check and a drug test.
- Pay a fee of $100
You also need to renew your license every two years. To restore your license, you need to:
- Complete at least 16 hours of continuing education
- Pay a fee of $50
You also need to display your license at your place of work. You must also show your license to your clients or anyone who asks for it.
Legal Responsibilities
Another thing that you need to understand is legal responsibilities. Legal responsibilities are what you need to do or not do to avoid problems with the law. You need to know your legal responsibilities as a dog trainer in New York. Some of them are:
- You need to have insurance coverage. Insurance coverage is when you pay a company to protect you from losing money if something wrong happens. You need to have insurance coverage for your business and your dogs. You need to have insurance coverage for things like accidents, injuries, damages, or lawsuits.
- You need to have a contract with your clients. A contract is a written agreement that says what you and your clients will do and not do. You need a contract with your clients that says what services you will provide, how much you will charge, how long you will work, and what will happen if there are problems or disputes.
- You need to follow the animal welfare and rights laws. Animal welfare and rights laws say how you should treat animals. You need to follow the animal welfare and rights laws in New York. It would help if you treated your dogs and clients’ dogs with respect and care. You need to use positive and humane methods of training. You must avoid hurting, abusing, or neglecting your dogs or clients’ dogs.
Specializing in Areas of Interest
The sixth thing you need to become a dog trainer is to specialize in areas of interest. You need to find what kind of dog training you like and are good at. You need to focus on that kind of dog training and make it your specialty.
Canine Specializations
There are many kinds of dog training that you can specialize in. Some of them are:
- Obedience training: This is teaching a dog to follow commands, such as sit, stay, or heel.
- Agility training: This is teaching a dog to run, jump, or go through obstacles, such as tunnels, hoops, or poles.
- Behavior modification: This teaches a dog to stop doing bad things, such as barking, biting, or chewing.
- Service training: This is teaching a dog to help people with disabilities, such as guiding, alerting, or retrieving.
- Therapy training: This is teaching a dog to comfort people with emotional or mental problems, such as stress, anxiety, or depression.
You can choose what kind of dog training you want to specialize in. You can also decide what kind of dogs and people you want to work with. You can customize your training for specific client needs. For example, you can train a dog to be more calm, confident, or friendly.
Advanced Training Techniques
It would help if you also kept learning and improving your skills. It would help if you stay updated on the latest trends and techniques in dog training. You need to use advanced training methods that are effective and innovative.
Some of the advanced training techniques that you can use are:
- Clicker training: This uses a device that makes a clicking sound to teach a dog. You use the clicker to mark when a dog does something right. You also reward the dog, such as a treat or a toy. The dog learns to associate the click with the reward and the behavior.
- Remote collar training: This uses a device that sends a signal to a collar on a dog’s neck. You use the remote to control the signal. The signal can be a sound, a vibration, or a mild electric shock. The dog learns to associate the signal with your command and the consequence.
- Nose work training teaches a dog to use its nose to find things. You hide things, such as food, toys, or scents. You teach the dog to search for them and indicate when it finds them. The dog learns to use its nose and have fun.
Marketing Yourself as a Dog Trainer
The seventh thing you need to become a dog trainer is to market yourself as a dog trainer. It would help to let people know who you are and what you do. You need to attract and keep your clients.
Building a Professional Website
Building a professional website is one way to market yourself as a dog trainer. A professional website is a website that shows your information and your work. You need to have a professional website that offers:
- Your name and your logo
- Your contact details, such as your phone number, email address, or location
- Your services and your prices
- Your qualifications and your certifications
- Your experience and your portfolio
- Your testimonials and your reviews
It would help if you also made your website easy to use and attractive. It would help if you used clear and straightforward language. You need to use sound and relevant images. You need to use a good and responsive design.
Client Testimonials and Reviews
Another way to market yourself as a dog trainer is to get client testimonials and reviews. Client testimonials and reviews are feedback from your clients. They say what they think and feel about your work. It would help if you got positive testimonials and reviews from your clients. They can help you:
- Show your quality and your professionalism
- Build your reputation and your trust
- Increase your visibility and your ranking
- Attract more clients and more money
You can get testimonials and reviews from your clients by:
- Asking them to write or record them
- Asking them to post or share them
- Asking them to rate or review them
You can also show your testimonials and reviews on your website, social media, or online platforms.
Conclusion
We have come to the end of this article. We hope you learned how to become a dog trainer in New York. We gave you some steps and tips to follow. You need to:
- Learn about dogs and dog training
- Practice your skills and work with dogs and people
- Meet and talk with other dog trainers and people who like dogs
- Know and follow the rules and laws for dog trainers in New York
- Find and focus on the kind of dog training you want and are good at
- Let people know who you are and what you do as a dog trainer
If you do these things, you can be a dog trainer in New York. You can have a fun and rewarding job. You can work with dogs and help them and their owners. You can also make money and have fun.
We encourage you to follow your passion and your dream. You can do it if you love dogs and want to be a dog trainer. You need to work hard and smart. It would help if you also kept learning and improving. You can be a great dog trainer in New York.
Thank you for reading this article. We hope you enjoyed it and found it useful. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know. We are happy to hear from you. Have a great day! 🐶