Being a dog trainer means adapting from one to another owner, and adapting from one to another dog.
It is a very demanding job that requires devotion and patience, but it is also very fun and fulfilling.
Animal-related jobs are widely popular among people and it is one of the most growing industries since the COVID crisis led to pet number increase.
So, if you are thinking about becoming a dog trainer in Massachusetts, you are at the right place!
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How to Become a Dog Trainer in Massachusetts?
Follow these steps for a kick start of your career as a professional dog trainer in Massachusetts.
Step 1: Educate yourself about animal behavior
Understanding canine behavior is a true challenge.
Each dog breed has its own traits and on the other side, each dog has certain individual characteristics.
You can read some books about dog behavior and dog training before you take any classes on dog training.
Step 2: Start working
You won’t understand dog behavior or training unless you try.
So, try training with your own dog and then practice with other dogs.
You will realize that some things cannot be learned from books or videos.
The more you practice, the better you will become.
Step 3: Consider education
There are many schools for dog trainers in Massachusetts, or at least there are some schools that offer education for dogs only.
You can take your dog on those classes and enrich your knowledge.
Participate in seminars, workshops, and classes as much as you can and you will grow a lot.
Step 4: Get employed or start your own business
If you get employed, you can alleviate yourself from some stress, because running your own business is not as easy as it seems.
Running your business and being self-employed means finding your path to the market, and using social media to promote and publish your successful stories.
However, being employed by some company or institution can also be challenging.
You might face difficulties with getting days off, higher salaries, etc.
Step 5: Create a network
No matter your employment outcome, you should create a network by joining professional organizations.
Any advice that comes from an experienced colleague is very valuable.
Dog Training Schools in Massachusetts
Dog trainers in Massachusetts don’t need formal education, but enrolling in classes and schools might significantly improve your success and you might improve your skills.
You will also find it more easier to start your own business if you have already taken some classes or courses.
Colonial Dog Training
This school is situated in Boston and will help you to learn dog training and how to run your own business.
It is a member of the Canine Trade Group which is a network of professional dog trainers from the country.
You can get free education and certification if accepted into the program, but that’s not all!
You will also get tips on how to start your own dog-training business.
You will learn about puppy training, leash training, and basic obedience training on both well-behaved dogs and aggressive dogs.
They are accepting beginners, so don’t worry about your skills.
They work with efficient methods that have promising results.
Contact the school, fill out their form, and you can start very soon with this program!
Pack of Paws
The training center of this school is located in Charlton and offers amazing opportunities for future dog trainers.
This institution offers both dog training and training for humans who own dogs.
The special thing about this school is that you will get a personalized program based on your current skills with a great learning environment.
You will get a curriculum and a written test that you must pass to get a certificate.
Since you will work with professionals, you will get a fast problem solver and you will understand how to communicate with dogs.
This school offers the following courses:
- Professional Dog Trainers Program Level 1
- Custom Schedule Introductory Program
- Shadowing Program Level 2
- Professional Dog Trainers Program – Aggression
These courses cost from $4,500 to $8,500.
You can also get Additional Mentoring Appointments and Additional Testing after the courses which cost $250 each.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Colonial Dog Training | Colonial Dog Training, Boston, MA 02203, United States |
| Pack of Paws | 26 Trolley Crossing Road Charlton, MA 01507 |
Salary
The salary for professional dog trainers in Massachusetts is between $34,502 and $41,579.
Or you can earn an average of $37,987.
The most common benefits for professional dog trainers are social security, healthcare, pension, and time off days.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Boston | $39,328 |
| Worcester | $36,835 |
| Springfield | $36,467 |
| Lowell | $38,078 |
| Cambridge | $39,328 |
| Brockton | $38,116 |
| New Bedford | $37,139 |
| Fall River | $37,139 |
| Lynn | $39,328 |
| Quincy | $39,328 |
Regional Salary in Massachusetts
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 310 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
| Springfield, MA-CT | 40 | $59,530 | $28.62 | $125,630 | $35,600 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are similar professions to dog trainers?
There are many similar professions including:
- Certified Dog Trainer
- Assistant Dog Trainer
- Dog Trainer Apprentice
- Guide Dog Trainer
- Master Dog Trainer
The salaries of these professions vary depending on the responsibilities that the job brings.
Is it hard being a dog trainer in Massachusetts?
The difficulty of the job depends on your duties and the clients’ wishes.
This is a factor that varies, but in general, it is very difficult to handle owners’s wishes and dogs at the same time.
What is the hardest thing to teach a dog?
Some dogs are fast learners, so you won’t have difficulties while training such dogs.
But usually, it is very hard to teach them tricks.
Tricks require a lot of time and patience from both sides.
How to Become a Dog Trainer by State