How to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in South Carolina

As an aspiring dog obedience trainer in South Carolina, it is vital to familiarize oneself with all the major requirements for starting a career in this field. This profession involves very little stress and little government oversight.

This is one of the major appeals, but it continues beyond there. The profession is also experiencing a huge increase in demand that is set to be sustained for the foreseeable future.

In short, starting a dog obedience training career in South Carolina is a wonderful path to competitive income and career growth. Below, we analyze everything candidates need to know to start their careers properly and take advantage of these benefits.

Steps to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in South Carolina

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

Step 1: Formal Training

Attending a formal training program is a great way to start a dog obedience training career in South Carolina. Those who choose this approach will learn about existing conventions, keep up with state-of-the-art techniques, and understand how to set themselves apart business-wise.

It is also worth pointing out that students don’t have to sacrifice prior commitments to acquire training. Online programs can be taken at your own pace, and hybrid programs combine online classes with in-person training.

Step 2: Learning On the Job

Another way to start dog obedience career training in South Carolina is by learning “on the job.” Candidates can simply learn under a qualified professional.

Of course, they must work with actual dogs in a real-world environment before they can be confident enough to do the job professionally.

Step 3: Business & Continuing Education

After receiving the right level of training, it is possible to start a dog obedience training business in South Carolina. Those who want to start their business later may work as part of an existing business.

Candidates are also expected to keep learning and acquiring more skills via continuing education courses.

Explore other careers with similar paths:

• Become a vet assistant in South Carolina

Top Dog Obedience Training Schools in South Carolina

Below are a few programs notable for producing successful dog obedience trainers in South Carolina.

Explore nearby states for training:

• Dog obedience training schools in Tennessee

Licensure & Certification Requirements

South Carolina does not insist on licensure for dog obedience trainers. Employers, however, greatly value certification and prefer certified dog trainers over those not certified.

The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, the International Association of Canine Professionals, and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants offer some prestigious certifications for candidates to consider.

Those seeking a different alternative may also consider the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors. Applicants should be prepared to take a certification course and keep learning to maintain their credentials.

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary for dog obedience trainers in South Carolina usually reflects where candidates are in their careers in terms of experience and business strategy. For instance, while the lower 10% tend to make an annual average salary of $31,514, those among the top 10% make around $64,353 or more in yearly returns.

This is because those on the lower end are still trying to figure out their market strategy and developing experience on the job, while those on the upper end have figured out all these things and more. Generally, however, the most popular figure for dog obedience trainers in South Carolina is $45,033, which pertains to the median earners.

Another factor that influences all of these is location. Several locations within the state offer higher annual average salaries for dog obedience trainers than others.

A survey by Indeed showed that dog obedience trainers in Charleston earn the most in South Carolina, with an annual average salary of $92,072. Those in Simpsonville and Summerville follow, with yearly returns of $66,590 and $66,136, respectively.