How to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Louisiana

It would not be an overstatement to say that there has never been a better time to start a career as a dog obedience trainer in Louisiana than now. The projections that continue to come in from various employment platforms show that this discipline will enjoy massive year-on-year growth over the coming years at a figure of around 22%, way higher than the average for other occupations.

What’s more, potential income will also continue to rise, as will opportunities for career growth. In the sections below, we break down everything that residents of Louisiana need to know to take advantage of all of these benefits and start their dog obedience training careers on an absolutely strong foundation.

Steps to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Louisiana

The following are the vital steps to launch a dog obedience training career in Louisiana.

Preparatory Considerations

Candidates will be glad to know that Louisiana does not have mandatory educational requirements for dog obedience trainers. Most requirements are set by employers willing to hire anybody with adequate training.

For this reason, the first main consideration is education.

However, it helps a lot if candidates have some understanding of the profession and possible specialty areas before they enroll in a program.

Becoming Properly Trained

Dog obedience trainers need to know about dog psychology and various methodologies involved in facilitating specific dog behavior. Formal courses teach these, along with safety considerations and more.

Many dog trainers eventually start their own businesses, so it is also important to learn about business skills and networking opportunities.

Continuing Education & Networking

Training is continuous for dog obedience trainers even when they have started their careers. The field continues to evolve, and professionals are expected to keep up with state-of-the-art techniques.

Certification is a great way to achieve this, and we analyze this specific consideration below.

Explore careers with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a dog groomer in Louisiana

Top Dog Obedience Training Schools in Louisiana

Louisiana boasts the following top programs for prospective dog obedience trainers.

Consider exploring nearby states for training:

• Dog Obedience Trainer Schools in Alabama

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Dog obedience trainers in Louisiana don’t have to worry about licensing. There are no laws requiring them to be licensed to start a career.

However, they have to consider certification for professional benefits. Even though it is not legally compulsory either, certified dog obedience trainers usually have more credibility and tend to earn a higher annual average salary than those who are not certified.

Furthermore, certification organizations also offer networking opportunities and resources for continuing education. Some of the most notable of these associations include the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, the International Association of Canine Professionals, and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

The National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors is an honorable mention.

Many organizations require candidates to renew their credentials periodically, in addition to offering specific courses for applicants seeking certification.

Salary & Career Outlook

Anyone starting in the dog obedience training profession as a resident of Louisiana can expect a salary of around $58,737 or closer to $69,619. Those earning closer to the first figure of $58,737 are professionals who have yet to optimize the factors that can help dog obedience trainers increase their earnings.

The second category, $69,619, belongs to those who have already made it to the median earning category, taking home a figure very close to the national average. There is also a third category, in which dog obedience trainers in Louisiana earn an average salary of $82,518.

These are the top 10% highest-paid in the state.

Factors that contribute include experience, credentials, business strategy, and location.

For the last point, New Orleans and Broussard are the cities with the highest pay for dog obedience trainers in Louisiana, with annual average salaries of $63,335 and $59,064, respectively.