How to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Nebraska

Residents of Nebraska who would like to start their dog obedience training careers on a favorable path will be glad to know that everything they need to know to achieve this objective has been highlighted below. The extensive guide on this page showcases how candidates can launch their careers in a way that makes them highly appealing to potential employers.

It also shows a couple of other approaches to convenience, flexibility, and starting a business.

Lastly, readers will learn what to expect regarding their annual average income and career outlook for the next few years.

Steps to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Nebraska

Candidates are advised to follow the steps below to start their dog obedience training careers in Nebraska.

Self-Training

Individuals looking to become dog obedience trainers in Nebraska can start by adopting a self-training approach. They may do this by reading books, attending seminars, or consuming free online materials.

Although they may not necessarily start a career this way, this will give them a strong foundation for acquiring more advanced skills.

Formal Course

Many aspiring dog obedience trainers choose to attend a formal course after their preparatory training. This offers several advantages, including helping candidates receive guidance and mentorship from established instructors and giving them a professional network for job placement.

Candidates can attend a formal course that can be completed online, one that takes place in person, or a program that adopts a hybrid approach.

We explore specific options in this regard in an upcoming section.

Gaining Experience

After completing a formal course, the next step is to gain experience by working with an actual dog. Several ways to achieve this include volunteering at a local shelter or participating in an apprenticeship with an experienced trainer.

Additionally, many top-class training programs have a network of trainers with whom graduates are paired for hands-on training.

Explore careers with similar paths:

• How to become a veterinary assistant in Nebraska

Top Dog Obedience Trainer Schools in Nebraska

The programs below offer top-quality training for aspiring dog obedience trainers in Nebraska.

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Dog obedience training schools in Kansas

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Even though it is not compulsory, becoming certified as a dog obedience trainer in Nebraska is still infinitely advisable. Thankfully, doing so is quite straightforward.

Firstly, candidates have to identify a certification organization. There are several options in this regard, and many of them are highly regarded.

Moreover, the same certifying organization can offer different credentials based on specialty areas. So, the second step is for applicants to choose a particular credential and meet its requirements.

They may be expected to take a short course before moving on to the next step: passing the certification exam. Once they do so, they will become officially certified.

However, candidates are still expected to maintain their credentials by receiving more education, usually yearly. Some notable organizations offering highly-rated credentials for dog obedience trainers include the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

Salary & Career Outlook

As a dog obedience trainer in Nebraska who has yet to build experience and develop a sound business strategy, it is possible to fall among the lowest-paid in the state, making an annual average salary of $46,168. However, candidates can grow fast by acquiring credentials, building a solid business focus, and getting more job experience.

Those who have done this will be able to take home an annual average salary of $69,522 in the median category and an annual average salary of $104,689 once they make it to be among the top 10%.

For favorable locations, Lincoln and Omaha offer the state’s highest annual salary for dog obedience trainers, at $67,722 and $57,099, respectively.

Concerning the career outlook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a significant increase in the employment rate for dog obedience trainers in Nebraska. This is because pet spending will increase, and retiring workers must be replaced.