How to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Massachusetts

Prospective dog obedience trainers in Massachusetts must learn the profession’s history and be familiar with the fundamental principles behind how animals learn and develop new habits.

They also needed to understand animal signals and possess enough business skills to start their own dog training enterprise.

The purpose of the guide on this page is to break down the steps and considerations necessary to launch a thriving dog obedience training career in an extremely easy-to-follow manner. The next section explores the basic preparatory stages and educational options, and afterward, we pivot to the certification options for professional growth.

Steps to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Massachusetts

The basic preparatory stages and educational options for prospective dog obedience trainers in Massachusetts are as follows:

Selecting a Course

Candidates must select a training course to start their dog obedience training career in Massachusetts. This is not compulsory by law, but it’s very advisable, as training programs offer comprehensive education in various aspects of the field, such as methodologies, techniques, stimuli, and dog behavior.

It is also possible to receive job placement assistance based on one’s training destination.

Receiving Practical Training

Training courses are great at teaching candidates the fundamentals of dog training and introducing them to important theoretical topics. However, one thing that separates a strong training program from an average one is the presence of practical training.

Even online programs that operate at a very high level find a way to ensure that candidates have an opportunity to receive real-world training. They may do so by partnering with dog obedience trainers in the real world or by providing a hybrid approach where a certain number of training hours are dedicated to practical experience.

Starting a Career

After training, the next important step is career growth and job placement. Luckily, dog obedience training is a profession that allows candidates to start their agencies without having to worry about working under someone.

However, starting as part of an existing team may be advisable.

Consider exploring other careers with similar paths:

• Become a vet assistant in Massachusetts

Top Dog Obedience Training Schools in Massachusetts

The following are top-class training programs for future dog obedience trainers in Massachusetts.

Licensure & Certification Requirements

As with most states nationwide, Massachusetts has no licensing requirements for individuals looking to start a dog obedience training career. This means they can start working professionally once they have completed their education.

Unlike licensure, however, certification is something that all candidates must consider. Again, this is not made mandatory by a state board but is something employers typically expect.

Furthermore, certified professionals usually have an edge in customer acquisition and networking opportunities. Thanks to continuing education resources, they can also keep up with advancements in the profession.

The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers offers what is widely regarded as among the most highly rated credentials for dog obedience trainers in Massachusetts and across the country. Candidates may also look to the International Association of Canine Professionals for relevant credentials.

Salary & Career Outlook

It is helpful to break down the annual average salary of dog obedience trainers in Massachusetts into three categories to get a clearer picture of where candidates may fall depending on their professional careers. For instance, candidates just beginning their journeys often manage an annual average salary of $81,464, launching them into the median earning bracket.

Those who are not that lucky may have to begin with an annual average salary in the lower brackets, usually hovering around $42,933. The highest-paid in the top 10% will make around $154,579 or more in annual average income.

As one would expect, a dog trainer’s location and business model in the state will also influence these numbers.

For the best locations, candidates may consider North Reading, with an annual average salary of $90,495; Beverly, with an annual average salary of $78,222; and Brockton, with an annual average salary of $76,198.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 22% growth in demand for dog obedience trainers across the next decade.