How to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Tennessee

The characteristics of a successful dog obedience trainer in Tennessee range from a love of animals to business savvy and strong marketing skills.

Candidates are also expected to consider a few options regarding their training arrangements and certification organizations. To make all of these easier and to help candidates feel confident in their decisions, we have taken the time to explore the process of becoming a successful dog obedience trainer in Tennessee below.

After focusing on the key steps and requirements, we round up the guide by listing some top training destinations for candidates to consider and then outlining the potential annual average salary and projections for the profession over the next few years.

Steps to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Tennessee

The steps below are usually key to becoming a thriving dog obedience trainer in Tennessee.

Choosing an Education Style

There are no laws mandating compulsory academic education for dog obedience trainers in Tennessee. For this reason, candidates have a few options regarding their training style:

• Self-Education - Self-education is typically one of the first ideas about receiving dog obedience training education. It is, however, a less advisable approach than the other options.

One reason for this is that the other alternatives typically offer more benefits for career opportunities.

• Formal Training—As a prospective dog obedience trainer in Tennessee, I believe formal training helps candidates take advantage of several benefits. These include possible job placement assistance, networking opportunities, mentorship, and expert guidance.
• On-the-Job Training—Candidates can also start their education by working under an experienced dog obedience trainer as part of a team. This way, they will receive their education in a real-world environment.

Job Placement & Career Growth

Candidates may work as part of an established team or start their dog obedience training outfit for job placement. They may also leverage their training program to secure job placement, and those who learned on the job may stay with the agency from which they obtained their training.

One particular issue that can greatly help with career growth and job placement is certification. We explore this issue further below.

Explore careers with similar paths:

• How to become a vet assistant in Tennessee

Top Dog Obedience Training Schools in Tennessee

The state of Tennessee offers the following high-quality dog obedience training programs.

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Tennessee is one of the countries where candidates are expected to be licensed before they can start taking on professional contracts as dog obedience trainers. It is also worth mentioning that certification is not compulsory, but candidates choose to acquire credentials for professional opportunities.

The following destinations are the most sought-after for nationally recognized credentials as dog obedience trainers in Tennessee:

• The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers;
• The International Association of Canine Professionals;
• The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and the
• National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors.

Candidates who would like to become certified by any of these organizations must be able to participate in specific courses. They will also be expected to pass a certification exam showing proficiency in the topics they have been taught.

Explore neighboring states for education and training:

• Dog obedience training schools in Alabama

Salary & Career Outlook

As a fresh dog obedience trainer in Tennessee with minimal experience, it is usually common to earn an annual average salary of around $33,964 to $55,694. The first figure in the range is pertinent to candidates still among the bottom 10% in annual income, while the second belongs to those whose earnings are in the median range.

The highest-paid dog obedience trainers in Tennessee ($91,327) are where they are because they have spent some time on the job, developed a strong business strategy, and maximized their specialty and credentials.

The location where they practice will also influence the annual income of a dog obedience trainer in the state. A survey revealed that Murfreesboro, Nashville, and Brentwood are the top three destinations in this regard, with incomes of around $61,585, $56,426, and $54,186 on average per year.

Readers should also note that the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a continual increase in employment for dog obedience trainers across the country, at a rate of around 22% for the upcoming years.