Becoming a professional dog trainer is more than meets the eye.
Sure, many people think that they spend most of their time with puppies and that they’re having a great time, but that’s not always the case.
Dog trainers come across all types of dogs and all their different personalities.
This requires adaptability and devotion.
If you’re up for the task, let’s see what your first steps into becoming a dog trainer should be in Oregon!
Table of Contents
How to Become a Dog Trainer in Oregon?
Before you dive in, you need to build the foundation of this career.
We’ve provided a few steps that can be your starting point and can help you decide if this career is for you!
Step 1: Read and practice
The best way to learn is through reading and practice.
Don’t only stuff your nose in a book and think you’re ready to start the job just yet.
Dogs’ characters can change and vary depending on their origin, history, or breed.
You’ll need to learn, through books and practice combined, how to deal with every situation.
After all, it is an animal, and it can be unpredictable.
Step 3: Test out the chemistry
What better way to learn such a hands-on job than trying it out?
Volunteering is the best and most morally rewarding way you can do this.
It might not be paid, but the experience you gain is priceless in the first steps of your career.
You will surely be under a mentor with experience who can share the pros and cons of the job, as well as give you a few tips and tricks they’ve gathered through the years.
Step 4: Get training from a professional
When you’ve gotten the hang of the brawn of the job, it’s time to tackle the brain part.
You will, after all, be working with live matter.
You will need to understand the psychology of dogs, what threatens them, what triggers a positive response, and, more importantly, what doesn’t work for them before they get too angry.
This is the hardest part of the job because every dog is an individual with its own personality.
Step 5: Promote your work
Once you establish yourself a bit, try to promote your work.
Social media is in the palm of our hands, so use it!
Create profiles on Instagram, Facebook, or X where anyone and everyone can stumble upon you.
Post daily content to make sure YouTube is through to the right crowd.
Dog Training Schools in Oregon
Although formal education is not needed to become a professional dog trainer, courses, classes, and workshops can only further your knowledge.
Here are a few options you can look into to get a few certificates!
ISCDT
The curriculum at ISCDT consists of 18 detailed lessons that prepare you to work in the field of dog training.
It is designed to help you start and advance in your career as a professional dog trainer.
It consists of a multitude of dog training topics, from breeds and characteristics to unraveling various behavioral issues.
They also provide video materials as a visual guide through your learning process.
You will also get video and written assignments as homework.
The tuition for the course is $499.
Behavior Vets
This organization of vets came together to help beginner dog trainers on their journey.
They organize events, workshops, externships, and classes for professionals and for other vets.
The events can last up to a few days.
Their prices can vary, and the sooner you apply, the cheaper it will be.
They also offer to take the owner’s dogs off their hands and train them themselves!
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| ISCDT | Online |
| Behavior Vets | 257 W 18th St. New York, NY 10011 |
Salary
The average annual pay for professional dog trainers in Oregon is $35,094.
The minimum and maximum range from $31,874 to $38,412, depending on the city.
The top best-paid dog trainers in Oregon are in Portland, Beaverton, and Hillsboro, all around $36.000
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $36,364 |
| Eugene | $34,354 |
| Salem | $34,475 |
| Gresham | $36,318 |
| Beaverton | $36,364 |
| Hillsboro | $36,248 |
| Medford | $34,039 |
| Springfield | $34,277 |
| Bend | $33,966 |
| Corvallis | $34,072 |
Regional Salary in Oregon
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 280 | $54,010 | $25.96 | $79,990 | $34,640 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a dog trainer in Oregon?
You can do this by attending dog training classes, workshops, and seminars.
You can also gain experience by volunteering at animal shelters or working with a professional dog trainer.
Once you have gained enough knowledge and experience, you can enroll in a dog training certification program.
What will I need to become a certified dog trainer?
To become a certified dog trainer, you will need to attend classes, courses, seminars, and workshops to gather the required knowledge and a few certificates.
You can also join the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
All the information you will need is provided by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
Can you find a job as a dog trainer in Oregon?
The job market varies by location in Oregon and its cities.
Salary ranges as well based on your experience and client base.
General obedience training is often in high demand, but you can specialize based on your interests and local demand.
Those can cost up to $250.
How to Become a Dog Trainer by State