How to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Oregon

Understanding how dogs communicate is key to becoming a successful dog obedience trainer in Oregon. Individuals who want to enter this profession must also understand why these animals behave the way they do while quickly recognizing changes in their body language.

The following resources explain exactly how to become a dog obedience trainer in Oregon. Readers will understand the basic preparatory steps needed to be well-positioned for the training and a few alternatives to consider for their education.

Furthermore, we explore the career outlook for this profession and the salary ranges to expect depending on critical factors.

Steps to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Oregon

Below is a step-by-step overview of becoming a dog obedience trainer in Oregon.

Theoretical Training

Before they can start working without actual dogs, dog obedience trainers in Oregon must first learn the basic principles behind canine psychology and training methodologies. To achieve this, they may enroll in an in-person course or decide to receive their education online.

Since the majority of instructions in this part of the process are theoretical anyway, both approaches are valid. However, candidates usually need to attend a strong training program that can provide both theoretical and practical training.

We will explore a few top destinations to find such arrangements later on the page.

Practical Training

Once theoretically sound, candidates can apply the fundamental principles they have learned in a real-world setting. As mentioned before, the best programs help candidates receive both forms of training.

Some may do so by offering their facilities and laboratories. In contrast, others may leverage their network to pair candidates with established dog obedience trainers willing to offer further training “on the job.”

Business Acumen

Oregon allows dog obedience trainers to start their businesses when fully trained. Candidates must possess not only technical skills but also business skills to be successful at this.

It is common for training programs to incorporate business training into their curriculum to give candidates a better chance at this endeavor.

Explore other careers with similar paths:

• How to become a dog groomer in Oregon

Top Dog Obedience Trainer Schools in Oregon

Below are some high-quality training options for prospective dog obedience trainers in Oregon.

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Dog obedience trainer schools in Nevada

Licensure & Certification Requirements

In launching a dog obedience training career in Oregon, no law requires candidates to register with the state or receive a license before they can work professionally. This is why individuals can complete their training and start taking on contracts.

However, even though it is not compulsory, becoming certified can improve a dog obedience trainer’s career. Certified people usually enjoy a higher demand for expertise and may even command a better salary.

For those who would like to become certified by a nationality-recognized organization, the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants offers several credentials for general purpose and specific disciplines in the field. Candidates may also consider other highly related organizations, including the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and the International Association of Canine Professionals.

Salary & Career Outlook

The median annual average salary for dog obedience trainers in Oregon is $88,513. Of course, this still needs to include those at the extreme ends of the spectrum, including the lowest-paid and the highest-paid.

According to a survey, those among Oregon’s lowest-paid dog obedience trainers earn at least $53,387, while the highest earners can expect to make as much as $146,749 or higher.

As one would expect, experience, location, specialty, and credentials all play huge roles in influencing how much these professionals take home.

Focusing on location alone, Salem and Eugene have the highest annual salaries for dog obedience trainers in Oregon, at $107,450 and $101,676, respectively. Those in Redmond are also competitively paid, with an annual average salary of $88,527.

As for the career outlook, the BLS predicts a 22% increase in the employment rate for professionals in this field over the next decade.