How to Become a Dog Trainer in Ohio

Becoming a dog trainer might seem easy, but it requires patience, care, and love.

It also required devotion to learning animal and dog psychology and the differences between ages and breeds of dogs.

Every dog is its own individual.

Their personalities may vary immensely, and you must analyze them to take the next step in the process and progress.

Do you have what it takes to become Ohio’s best professional dog trainer?

Stay tuned to find out!

How to Become a Dog Trainer in Ohio?

To become the best, you first need to start somewhere.

Every start can be intimidating, but we’re here to help.

We’ve provided a few steps to help you launch your career as a professional dog trainer.

Step 1: Learn about dog behavior

As previously mentioned, every dog can have a different personality.

It’s always best to start while they’re young, but you may also have grown clients.

You will need to learn and practice until you get the hang of the verbal and non-verbal communication with the pups you train.

You may come in contact with a range of them. From aggressive to lazy to calm and obedient.

You can learn about dog behavior online, through books, or by attending classes, workshops, and seminars.

Step 2: Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to earn that field experience!

Don’t worry if you don’t successfully do something on the first try.

If you volunteer, an actual professional will be around you most of the time to guide you and help you gain the needed confidence and knowledge.

They can also let you in on their secrets about the business part of the job, their past mistakes, and the pros and cons of it all.

Just don’t be afraid to ask!

Step 3: Get a job in the field

The experience you will gain will help you be ready for a job.

You can choose to either start your own business or start working with other trainers in your area.

Either way, try to promote your business through a website, social media, and passively through your clientele.

Step 4: Promote your work

In order for you to actually have work you need to let dog owners know your business exists.

You can easily do that with promotions via social media or a web page you’ll create for your services.

Once clients start coming, they will spread the word too!

Dog Training Schools in Ohio

Even though formal education is not necessarily needed in this field, you might want to check out some courses, workshops, or seminars provided by many organizations and academies.

This will help you stay up to date, learn new things, and meet new colleagues with whom you can share your experiences!

CATCH Canine Trainers Academy

This academy is a state-licensed training school.

It has a few levels of certification based on your knowledge and experience.

The tuition for the course starts at $54, and it’s available across the states.

The course is online so that you can study at your own pace, anywhere and anytime.

When you finish the course, you get a diploma.

They are also open for internships, so this can be your first dog training job as well.

Penn Foster

The Penn Foster Academy provides you with a dog obedience trainer program.

The course is online and very affordable.

It can take you as little as 7 months to complete the full course.

The only negative thing is that there are no workshops available for practice.

But the program is accredited, and considering that it’s online, you can listen and learn whenever you feel like it.

School Name Address
CATCH Canine Trainers Academy 24 Newark Pompton Turnpike Suite 206 Little Falls, NJ
Penn Foster 925 Oak Street Scranton, PA 18515 USA

Salary

The average salary annually ranges from $31,093 to $37,471, depending on the city, experience, and customers.

The annual average pay for dog trainers is $34,234.

Cleveland has the highest pay, although the salary is not much different from other cities.

Location Avg. Annual Salary
Columbus $34,272
Cleveland $34,457
Cincinnati $34,134
Toledo $33,729
Akron $33,512
Dayton $33,861
Parma $34,234
Youngstown $32,874
Canton $32,827
Lorain $34,092

Regional Salary in Ohio

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Akron, OH30$48,830$23.48$68,300$28,820
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN190$54,880$26.38$68,900$31,800
Cleveland-Elyria, OH150$55,490$26.68$69,200$29,550
Columbus, OH230$55,850$26.85$67,330$32,240
Dayton, OH40$52,590$25.29$63,570$31,230
Toledo, OH30$47,550$22.86$62,670$29,470
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Animal Trainers, OCC Code 39-2011, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need formal education as a dog trainer in Ohio?

No, you do not need a formal education, although it is better to attract clients.

If you attend workshops, classes, and courses, ensure they’re certified.

You can also join the Association of Professional Dog Trainers to become formally certified.

What should you bring to a dog training session in Ohio?

Typically, you’ll need to bring your dog on a leash, treats or rewards, and any specific training tools or equipment the trainer recommends.

Be sure to wear comfortable clothing for your participation.

How can I become a Professional Dog Trainer in Ohio?

To become a professional dog trainer in Ohio you will first need to be patient and calm.

You do not need proper formal education to become a dog trainer, but it will be good for your progress in the field if you visit seminars, classes, and workshops.

Ensure they are certified, and even if they’re not, attend them if you think they will teach you something.

USA How to Become a Dog Trainer by State