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Animal Husbandry and Other Unnatural Acts: A Career in Dog Training
Do you like dogs? Do they like you back?
Well, in that case, maybe YOU have what it takes to make it in
the ruff and kibble world of canine coaching. Maybe. But before
you start barking up this career tree, it might be beneficial to
get a little information first. The exiting world of dog
training covers several areas of expertise, so consider which
dog track you want to take.
So, like, what do I need to know? Isn't it just "Sit, Heel,
Stay"?
I am so glad you asked. Dog training encompasses much more than
simple submission commands. Yes, a career in dog training can
and does involve obedience training, but it can also delve much
deeper. For instance, you could become an Animal Behaviorist, or
a Behavioral Consultant. These professionals burrow into Rover's
psyche, working to dig up the long buried bones of his past.
Rather than flea the past, they use it to see what makes him
tick (Ooh, that one even made ME groan).
You mean I have to be a dog shrink?
Many in the dog-training field, especially Behaviorists, study
not only veterinary science, but also psychology. So, in a way,
you kind of become a "dog shrink" as you so eloquently put it.
But this training helps with more than just the dog. Don't
forget, the dogs you will be training generally have owners, and
some dog owners don't realize that they may be the cause of the
behavioral issues exhibited by their puppy pals (think of the
mom of that snotty, screaming kid in the checkout line at
grocery store who thinks she's a great parent), and that they
need to learn how to interact more effectively with their pets.
It's up to a trained dog specialist to uncover and rectify this.
So how much schooling up am I gonna need before I begin my
career in dog training?
Many experts in the field of dog training will tell you it takes
three to five years of serious, intensive study and hands-on dog
training and handling to even become a good novice trainer.
Becoming an experienced Master Dog Trainer takes many years of
working with the animals, gaining valuable field (or park)
experience. You will most likely even pay your dues with a few
nips here and there (bites, not nerve-settling sips of
schnapps). It's all part of the price - and the leash you can
do, if you are serious about a career in dog training.
So, are there like, dog trainer colleges?
There are indeed schools that offer courses in canine training.
The program lengths and costs vary from school to school,
depending upon the type of study you wish to pursue. There are
even online and home study courses (I am familiar with one that
charges $995 for a home study video package), but anyone who
seriously wants to work with dogs should look for a school with
actual animals that you can touch. Sniff around and dig up a
school that fits your situation.
The Animal Behavioral College (ABC, get it?) charges about $3000
for its hands-on program to become a Certified Dog Trainer,
which takes around six months to complete. And there are some
accredited universities and colleges that proffer animal
behavior programs. These are not necessarily dog-specific, but
nevertheless will assist you in beginning your career in dog
training. Cornell University in Ithaca, NY; Guelph University in
Ontario, Canada; and Tufts University in Boston, MA are three
such universities. Standard college tuition would apply at these
schools, but they might throw you a bone and let you apply for
financial aid. Beg...beg...good boy!
And then I can become employed as a dog trainer and watch the
scratch (money, not the flesh wound) roll in?
No.
Why not?
Good dog trainers - and by that you can read "employed" dog
trainers - enter their careers in dog training because of their
love of dogs. They work for the intrinsic pleasure of helping
man's best friend, not for the money, power, or glory often
associated with dog training. Initially, the novice dog trainer
may even begin his career by working for a more experienced
trainer as his assistant, trainee, or lackey. The pay grade for
such positions is, of course, Lhasa Apso-sized - assuming you
can find an experience dog trainer who will take you under his
paw. If not, when was the last time you read a classified ad
seeking a dog trainer?
The way many dog trainers collar a career in dog training is to
become self-employed. Hang a shingle on the front door. This has
been suggested by the American Dog Trainers Network, which
states that you can have a part time career where, nationally,
trainers earn an average of $20/hour. Not a bad living. But
Uncle Sam is always snapping at the heels of the ambitious with
his own statistical snarls and growls. The Occupational Outlook
Handbook, put out by the U.S. Department of Labor, states that
the median hourly earnings of non-farm animal caretakers were
$8.21 in 2002 (the most recent year they have numbers for).
So what should I do? I love them pups!
The bottom line is that a career in dog training is something
you do because you have a desire, passion, or drive to work with
dogs, not because it's a quick, easy, lucrative career option.
As with most any career choice, there is effort involved. Shed
your fears (regular brushing helps), put on your shiny coat, and
get out there and claw your way to your career in dog training.
Or you can just sit...stay...roll over. Good dog.
About the author:
Albert Medinas has developed and maintains the website Dog Training
Resources, which answers the most common questions people
have about Dog Training. Please visit us at
http://www.dogtrainingresources.net today.
Albert Medinas
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