How to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in North Carolina

North Carolina is an excellent location for candidates who want to start a successful career as dog obedience trainers. The key consideration here is education, and there are several top-class destinations to acquire it.

Once they are well-prepared, the state also offers several specialty areas for them to thrive and ample opportunities for career advancement. Naturally, candidates who want to start their careers properly must take the time to familiarize themselves with the major requirements.

To this end, we have carefully outlined all the important things for readers to remember as they try to become successful dog obedience trainers in North Carolina.

Steps to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in North Carolina

These steps are needed to become a successful dog obedience trainer in North Carolina.

Theoretical Training

At the beginning of their education, aspiring dog obedience trainers in Georgia sometimes focus on receiving theoretical instructions. They may do this by attending an official program, some of which we list below.

Because much of the material in this part of their education is theoretical, candidates may attend a program online instead of attending classes in person.

At the end of their education, they will receive a certificate or a diploma, which they can leverage to make themselves more appealing professionally.

Practical Training

Prospective dog obedience trainers are still expected to develop hands-on skills after the theoretical part of their education. They may do so by training actual dogs in their capacity or as part of a training arrangement.

Those who attend classes in person may be lucky enough to have access to real-world training when they graduate.

Job Placement & Certification

The next considerations after training for a future dog obedience trainer in North Carolina concern employment and career growth. While some start their businesses, some join existing teams for some experience.

Certification is a great approach to career growth, and we consider this below.

Consider exploring other careers with similar paths:

Top Dog Obedience Training Schools in North Carolina

The entries below are among the top programs for future dog obedience trainers in North Carolina to consider.

#North Carolina
Highland Canine Training

Harmony, NC Campus Only

Highland Canine Training and School for Dog Trainers offers excellent training programs for dog trainers in North Carolina. Candidates can choose between a 24-week master dog training program, an 18-week service dog training program, and a 6 - 12-week police K9 training program.

Email: learntotraindogs@highlandcanine.com

Read more
Tuition
$5,850 - $17,775 per Program
Contact
  • (800) 726-7412

  • Email in Bio

#North Carolina
Tarheel Canine

Sanford, NC Campus Only

Tarheel Canine School for Dog Trainers In Sanford, North Carolina, offers a training program that can be completed in 6 months. The program includes in-depth instructions on various key areas of dog training.

Read more
Tuition
$6,250 - $15,750 per Program
Contact
  • (919) 774-4152

  • Jbradshaw@tarheelcanine.com

#North Carolina
Animal Behavior College

Charlotte, NC Campus + Online

Animal Behavior College's program for candidates in North Carolina allows students to receive real-world experience by partnering with certified dog trainers in the state. These professionals are scattered throughout Charlotte, Fayetteville, Winston-Salem, and Greensboro, among other locations.

Email: email@animalbehaviorcollege.com

Read more
Tuition
$2,699 - $5,647 per Program
Contact
  • (800) 795-3294

  • Email in Bio

Explore neighboring states for education and training:

Licensure & Certification Requirements

The steps involved in becoming a professional dog obedience trainer in North Carolina do not include pursuing a state or local license. Once well-trained, individuals can start taking on legal work.

However, their opportunities can be significantly increased if they pursue certification. Although not required by law, certification from an organization like the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants can set a dog obedience trainer apart from competitors, get them a better annual return, and help them increase their proficiency on the job.

Along with the IAABC, the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors and the International Association of Canine Professionals also have nationally recognized credentials for dog trainers.

Salary & Career Outlook

According to data obtained from actual dog trainers in the state, the annual average salary for a dog obedience trainer in North Carolina ranges between $31,543 and $71,833.

The first figure of $10 belongs to the bottom 10% in the state, while the latter figure belongs to the highest-paid in the top 10% bracket. The majority of professionals will stay in either bracket.

They will find themselves among the median earners, who make around $71,833 on average every year. Dog obedience trainers in North Carolina can increase their yearly earnings by paying attention to responsible factors such as experience, credentials, specialty, and location.

For favorable locations, Asheville, Raleigh, and Mount Holly are the highest-paying cities for dog trainers in NC. Those who work here earn an average annual salary of $196,204, $94,208, and $78,038.

Individuals looking to enter the profession will also be glad that the BLS predicts a 22% year-on-year increase in the employment rate of dog trainers nationwide.