How to Become a Dog Trainer in South Dakota

A dog trainer may sound like an interesting and fun hobby-like job, but it is quite important.

Think about it!

Service dogs, K9 police units, and even pets need to go through the process of training in order to become an acceptable part of society consisting of humans and other animals.

So why not take on the challenge to understand a dog’s psyche, and become the best dog trainer in South Dakota?

How to Become a Dog Trainer in South Dakota?

For you to build a good career you will need to be guided on the right path.

Luckily, we’ve summed up the basic first few steps you can take to launch your career as a professional dog trainer!

Step 1: Learn dog psychology

This is the main part of the job so you have to pay close attention to it.

You will come in contact with different breeds of dogs daily.

You will have to know their characteristics and get to know their individual personalities for your relationship to work out, and for them to be obedient enough to listen to your commands.

This is why it is important to be patient with them.

It will not be a hally-go-lucky process every time.

Step 2: Try out with volunteering

The best way to experience this is by practicing it.

Before you get a job you can get to know the pros and cons by volunteering or taking internships with experienced dog trainers who are willing to take you in.

They can teach you the basics as well as share their experience in the field, the business part of it, and what mistakes you can avoid.

Step 3: Get a job

Once you feel confident enough in your skills you can start to get serious about job applications.

You can start with another partner, or you can start your own business and work by yourself.

And who knows, maybe down the line you too will become a mentor to a young and excited new dog trainer.

Now, that’s a reward in itself!

Step 4: Promote your skills

Either way, you will need to promote yourself to gain clients.

You can do this through a website or, even better, social media, where the algorithm will connect you with the right crowd, and then that network will expand!

Dog Training School in South Dakota

Formal education is not needed for you to become a professional dog trainer.

However many clients will appreciate it and will trust you more if you have proof, in the form of certificates.

Here are a few courses and schools that provide that in South Dakota!

CATCH Canine Trainers Academy

The CATCH Academy has classes for beginners, intermediates, and pros.

They are online and can cost as little as $54.

This means that for a low price, you can have a course that you can listen to whenever and wherever!

They are also certified.

After you finish the course you get a diploma, after which you can apply for an internship in the same organization!

Penn Foster

Penn Foster has an accredited program for dog obedience and training.

It is online and can be finished in 5-7 months.

The program is best suited for beginners with little to no experience.

It’s a kick-starter program for the first steps in your career as a dog trainer.

Salary

The yearly salary in the cities of South Dakota ranges from $27,936 to $33,667.

The average in South Dakota in general is $30,758.

Sioux Falls has the highest-paid dog trainers, followed by Watertown, Brookings, and Mitchell

How to Become a Dog Trainer by State