How to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Vermont

Vermont is an excellent location to start a dog obedience training career. The state enjoys favorable projections and career outlooks for this profession and is one of the best places for a straightforward employment process with minimal interference.

Candidates can also start their own dog obedience training business and be their bosses. To do this properly, candidates must follow a suggested blueprint that has produced thriving dog obedience trainers.

Below, we analyze all the major requirements involved in this process. We explore the educational requirements, training programs, licensure and certification possibilities, and career outlook.

Steps to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Vermont

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

Learning on Your Own

Candidates in Vermont are not expected by law to attend an academic training program as prospective dog obedience trainers. They may teach themselves key principles through personal books and free learning materials online.

However, those who choose this approach will not be able to earn a credential that shows completion of a training program.

Attending a Training Program

Those who attend a formal training program will learn through a well-designed and continually updated curriculum under the supervision of experienced instructors. They will also graduate with a certificate of completion or a diploma.

Furthermore, candidates don’t necessarily have to choose in-person training programs, as some dog obedience training programs allow online or hybrid learning arrangements.

Building Tangible Experience

In hybrid training programs, candidates learn theoretical skills through online materials but develop hands-on skills and practical experience through real-world training. The real-world training element is facilitated by partnering students with professionals in the student’s vicinity who are part of the school’s training network.

Some candidates may leverage this opportunity to secure full-time job placement.

Explore other careers with similar paths:

• How to become a veterinary assistant in Vermont

Top Dog Obedience Trainer Schools in Vermont

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

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Dog obedience trainer schools in New Hampshire

Licensure & Certification Requirements

No law in Vermont mandates candidates register or receive licensure and certification before they can start working professionally. However, since employers have the prerogative to decide what they want in an employee, most tend to choose certified dog obedience trainers over those who need to be certified.

Certification also offers great professional and marketing appeal, as candidates can leverage their certified status to attract more customers to their business. For this reason, despite its optional nature, most dog obedience trainers in Vermont are certified.

To become a certified dog obedience trainer in Vermont, candidates must choose a certifying organization — such as the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors or the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers — to choose a specific credential and pass the relevant certification examination for that category.

They must also be able to take periodic courses to maintain their certified status.

Salary & Career Outlook

Dog obedience trainers in Vermont can earn an annual average salary between $66,556 and $111,246, depending on their experience and specific location within the state. Credentials and business strategies may also separate the lower earners ($66,556) from those in the higher-earning categories ($111,246).

Most state professionals will not be at the extreme ends of the spectrum but will instead be in the middle, taking home an annual average salary of $86,047.

A survey of dog obedience trainers in Vermont on Indeed shows that professionals in Stowe are the highest-paid, with an annual average salary of $87,457. They are followed by those in Burlington, with an annual average salary of $36,940.

The projections for the field in the state are quite positive. Several employment platforms predict a continual increase in demand and employment rate for dog obedience trainers in Vermont.