How to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Indiana

Indiana is an excellent place to work as a dog trainer. For one, the state has made it easy for candidates to start a career in this field by not interfering with major requirements.

The profession also enjoys positive projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and offers candidates the opportunity to start their businesses and work on their schedules. What’s more, there are ample opportunities for career growth.

The sections below show students the most important elements of starting a dog obedience training career in Indiana. They explore, among other things, the preparatory steps, educational options, and projected income.

Steps to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Indiana

The steps below typically launch a dog obedience training career in Indiana.

Basic Requirements

There are minimal fundamental requirements to become a dog obedience trainer in Indiana. At the very basic level, candidates are advised to familiarize themselves with specialty areas in the field and understand their prospective duties.

Educational Options

Education is the most important part of becoming a successful dog obedience trainer in Indiana. Even though candidates can start with a self-education approach, it is still important to attend a formal course for several reasons.

Some notable benefits include nationally recognized credentials, a robust curriculum, expert advice, and state-of-the-art facilities. Some training programs also offer job placement assistance.

Later in the guide, we list notable programs for aspiring dog obedience trainers in Indiana.

Job Placement

Since there are no licensing requirements, candidates can start looking for open positions once they feel they are well-trained. Of course, the field of dog obedience training also allows candidates to start their own business without having to work under an existing agency.

Business Acumen

Those starting their dog obedience training agency must develop great business acumen. Training courses commonly incorporate business training into their curriculum, as they know that most candidates prefer this approach.

Professionals should also find ways to leverage technology and the online space to reach potential clients and develop a strong network.

Explore careers with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a vet assistant in Indiana

Top Dog Obedience Training Schools in Indiana

The schools below are among the most notable for dog obedience training education in Indiana.

Consider exploring nearby states for training:

• Dog Obedience Trainer Schools in Illinois

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Most dog obedience trainers in Indiana choose to become certified not because it is a requirement made compulsory by the state but because it is usually a great way to secure career opportunities.

Certified dog trainers are more appealing and considered to be more reliable. Several professional organizations verify dog obedience trainers’ skills through certification. One of them is the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

Those certified by the organization must have completed a course and passed relevant examinations to prove they have the requirements to perform their duties at a high level.

For additional options with equal reputation, candidates may consider certifications offered by the International Association of Canine Professionals and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

Salary & Career Outlook

Dog obedience trainers in Indiana who earn an annual average salary of $63,011 are among the state’s median earners. Those who earn an annual average salary of $155,200 have made it to the top 10%, while those who make $28,289 at the end of each year are still working their way up from the bottom 10%.

Candidates can move from the lower to the higher end of the salary categories by optimizing their experience and business strategy. Their location in the state may also play a role.

Noblesville and Indianapolis currently boast the highest annual average salaries for dog obedience trainers in Indiana, hovering around $84,279 and $71,201 per year, respectively. Carmel also ranks among the top three, with an annual average salary of $59,111.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a continual increase in employment for dog obedience trainers in Indiana and across the country for the next 10 years.