Training dogs can sound like a fun job.
Hanging out with dogs, giving them all the treats they want, and getting all the pets and kisses.
However, that’s not all that there is to it.
Working with animals requires a lot of patience, care, and understanding, regardless of the communication barrier.
Are you ready to take on that challenge and become the greatest dog trainer in Texas?
Stick around and find out!
Table of Contents
How to Become a Dog Trainer in Texas?
In order to launch your career successfully you will need guidance, as with any start in your life.
Luckily, we’ve prepared a few steps you can take to ensure you take the right path and succeed!
Step 1: Educate yourself
After you gain the field experience you’ll be sure if you want to continue to pursue this career or not.
If you are, congratulations, you arrive at the next step!
Even though formal education is not needed in this field, you can attend free and paid online and offline classes organized by many schools and organizations.
You can also read up on dog psychology to understand how a dog’s thinking process happens as well as how to deal with different behaviors in the most practical way.
There are also plenty of videos on the Internet where you can visually learn many tricks!
Step 2: Try volunteering
What better way to see what the job is than through observing and trying hands-on?
Volunteering may seem like a waste of time but think of it as an investment into your future job.
It’s just not monetary, but time-consuming instead.
You will likely work with professionals and experienced people who can guide you and help you establish your foundation, as well as take your first baby steps as a professional dog trainer.
Experienced and good professionals will always be happy to give you tips and tell you their mistakes so you can avoid them.
Step 3: Get a certified
There are many classes, schools, and workshops where you can get certificates for attendance.
You can also join the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers maintains a list of resources that can help you get certified.
Step 4: Promote your work
After you’ve established that needed foundation, and had enough practice you can start promoting your work.
Whether you’re working with a group of trainers or alone, it doesn’t matter.
Try your best to attract clients on social media or with a website.
Once you have a few clients, trust in them to also spread the word, especially if you succeeded in training their doggie!
Dog Training School in Texas
Formal education is not required for you to become a professional dog trainer.
But it can help you to further understand the clients a.k.a. The dogs if you visit a few classes, workshops, or seminars.
Here is where you can get those services!
Karen Pryor Academy
The Karen Pryor Academy provides a professional dog training program for $5.600.
This program consists of online classes and workshops around the states which
can help you with the practical part of the job.
If you have a dog in need of training they allow that too!
You just have to keep in mind that some workshops last a few days, so you might have to travel and stay overnight.
The program is certified
CATCH Canine Trainers Academy
This academy has a state-licensed dog trainer school with many levels of certification.
The course is online so you can take it at your own pace.
It’s also quite cheap, at $54.
In the end, you receive a diploma for the completed course.
It is available in multiple locations around Texas, and around all the states as well.
They are also open for internships.
ISCDT
This 18-class course is $499.
The curriculum tackles a multitude of dog training topics, from breeds and characteristics to unraveling various behavioral issues.
Throughout the course, you will have written assignments and homework.
They also provide visual guides and videos of the classes.
The course is certified, so you will receive a certificate at the end of it.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Karen Pryor Academy | 1933 N. Marcey Street Chicago, IL 60614 United States |
| CATCH Canine Trainers Academy | 24 Newark Pompton Turnpike Suite 206 Little Falls, NJ |
| ISCDT | Online |
Salary
The pay of a dog trainer in Texas can range from $31,164 to $37,556 depending on the city.
The annual average in Texas is $34,312.
The pay is the highest in Houston, followed by Dallas, Plano, and Garland.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston | $35,516 |
| Dallas | $34,678 |
| San Antonio | $33,662 |
| Austin | $34,329 |
| El Paso | $30,530 |
| Fort Worth | $34,012 |
| Arlington | $33,956 |
| Corpus Christi | $32,762 |
| Plano | $34,678 |
| Garland | $34,678 |
Regional Salary in Texas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 90 | $38,470 | $18.5 | $59,850 | $24,290 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 300 | $36,920 | $17.75 | $55,220 | $24,120 |
| El Paso, TX | 40 | $28,430 | $13.67 | $36,160 | $17,050 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 260 | $32,310 | $15.53 | $42,980 | $20,260 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 80 | $32,670 | $15.71 | $43,430 | $22,610 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I become a professional dog trainer in Texas?
You have to know how to work with dogs.
You also have to be aware that you’re working with an animal that doesn’t understand your language.
You will need to have patience, confidence, and professionalism when it comes to working with all the types of personalities that your doggie clients will have.
What will I need to become a certified dog trainer?
All the information you will need is provided by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
Do I need formal education to become a professional trainer in Texas?
You do not need formal education to become a professional dog trainer in Texas.
However, you can attend certified classes and courses where you can gain knowledge and have proof of it with a certificate or diploma.
How to Become a Dog Trainer by State
