How to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Washington

The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that more than 77 million households in the country have one or more dogs, with Washington having a significant share of this figure.

State residents who have an affinity for working with dogs and communicating with them would consider starting a career in a related field. Dog obedience training is one of the most relevant fields, with strong projections for the coming decades and an excellent annual average salary for professionals.

Moreover, individuals starting this profession enjoy a straightforward approach with minimal government oversight. Below, we summarize all the considerations interested candidates must make on their journeys and which part of the process to prioritize.

Steps to Become a Dog Obedience Trainer in Washington

Candidates typically start their dog obedience training careers in Washington by following the outline below:

Expert Guidance

There are many reasons why future dog obedience trainers are advised to attend a training program even though they are not mandated. Some of these include the fact that training programs offer state-of-the-art facilities and expert guidance, which candidates will not get if they teach themselves.

Additionally, many training programs have a strong hiring partner network and successful companies. These programs can provide students with job placement assistance to continue the training beyond graduation.

Work Experience

Along with foundational education in the classroom, candidates are also advised to participate in hands-on training before becoming successful dog obedience trainers in Washington.

This is another reason why it is advisable to attend a training program, as many of them offer hands-on training as well.

Many candidates who choose online or hybrid programs usually gain hands-on experience by partnering with local dog obedience instructors who are willing to provide work experience for upcoming individuals.

Securing Employment or Starting a Business

Educated candidates can go on to secure employment or start their own dog obedience training business. Certification is one thing that helps regardless.

We explore this topic in-depth below.

Explore careers with similar paths:

• How to become a vet assistant in Washington

Top Dog Obedience Training Schools in Washington

The following are the top dog obedience training programs in Washington.

Explore neighboring states for education and training:

• Dog obedience training schools in California

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Because candidates are not expected to be licensed, candidates who have received appropriate training in Washington can start worrying about certification. Certification is also not mandatory, but it is popular because of its potential to facilitate career growth.

Those wanting to become certified dog obedience trainers in Washington have many certifying bodies to consider. For one, the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants offers multiple highly rated credentials nationwide.

The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and the National Association of Dog Obedience are examples of other organizations offering nationally recognized credentials for dog obedience trainers in Washington to consider.

Salary & Career Outlook

Dog obedience trainers in Washington can expect an annual average salary ranging between $52,306 and $186,306, depending on factors like business model and experience. Their location in the state and specialty field in dog training will also influence their annual average salary.

Those who are on the least favorable side of these factors are the ones who earn the $52,306 annual average salary, while the $186,306 figure pertains to those who are on the more favorable side. Most dog obedience trainers in Washington fall among the median category, with an annual average salary of $98,717.

The locations with the highest figures in the state are Tacoma, with an annual average salary of $92,415; Camas, with an annual average salary of $77,993; and Spokane Valley, with an annual average salary of $71,416.

The projections for dog obedience training are also highly favorable. Top private and government platforms, including the BLS, predict a significant rise in employment that transcends the average for other occupations.