Are you passionate about dogs and want to spend more time around them? If so, dog training might be the next step for you. The role of professional dog trainers is to help pets reach their full potential and ensure they’re happy and healthy as they integrate into new homes. With a trainer’s hard work and expertise, families can get the most out of their relationships with their furry friends.
At The Dog Wizard, we offer comprehensive courses that transform dog lovers into certified dog trainers. By the end of the program, you’ll have newfound resources, skills, and the opportunity to open your own The Dog Wizard franchise. Let’s take a closer look at our services and how you can become a certified dog trainer.
Why Should I Become a Professional Dog Trainer?
Making a career change can be scary. If you’re not sure about switching gears and becoming a trainer, you’re definitely not alone. Before we discuss how to receive a dog trainer certification, let’s review some advantages of working in professional training.
Fun Environment
Anyone who loves animals can agree that there’s nothing better than spending quality time with a four-legged friend. Whether you’re tired of your standard desk job or just looking for something to ignite your passion, working in animal behavior is a great choice.
Thriving Industry
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people have adopted dogs. While a new pet is always fun, it can also be a ton of work (and not everyone has the resources to handle that work). There are many reasons people are unable to train dogs themselves, such as:
- Familial/personal obligations
- Work/school obligations
- Lack of knowledge/skills
Now, as schools and businesses continue to reopen, new dog owners are looking for training professionals to help them encourage good behavior in their pets. If there was ever a time to become a certified professional dog trainer, it’s now.
Strong Network
At The Dog Wizard, we’re passionate about helping dog trainers find positions where they can put their skills and expertise to use. After you graduate from our dog training school, we don’t just leave you to your own devices — rather, we help you find a home in our vast The Dog Wizard franchise network. You’ll also receive certification that proves your qualifications when it comes to obedience training and dog behavior.
High Potential
What makes The Dog Wizard unique is the potential for growth. While some people are more than happy to remain a successful dog trainer at one of our franchise locations, others are interested in new opportunities. Many of our dog obedience instructors have gone on to lead their very own franchises. As long as you have passion, dedication, and integrity, our team will do everything possible to help you accomplish your goals.
How Do I Become a Certified Dog Trainer?
Now that you understand the benefits of being a professional dog trainer, the next step is to actually get the certification. At The Dog Wizard, we have our own certification council that grants documentation upon graduation. This certificate shows that your training techniques are both efficient and effective when it comes to modifying bad behaviors. Of course, to obtain this honor, you’ll need to complete our training programs. Here’s a closer look at what this entails.
Step 1: Enrollment
The first step to joining our program is enrollment. During this stage, we’ll get to know more about you and what you hope to get out of this experience. Some topics we’ll discuss include the following:
- Your background/experience with dogs
- Your passion for dog training
- Your goals and ambitions
By learning more about you, we can help create a foundation that paves the road for your future. For example, if you see yourself becoming the owner of your own The Dog Wizard franchise location, we’ll help steer you in that direction.
Once we have a better understanding of your goals, we’ll discuss the logistical elements (such as how training works and what you can expect moving forward). We’ll also outline the monetary side of things, including financing if you need it.
The ultimate goal of enrollment is to set the stage for the rest of your dog training experience. If you have any questions or concerns, our team is more than happy to address them. Once enrollment is complete, you can move on to the next portion: online training.
Step 2: Online Training
Before working with real dogs, our animal behavior consultants start out with a virtual training process. This involves a results-driven, comprehensive curriculum that outlines our unique obedience training and behavior modification techniques. Resources include:
- Videos
- Texts
- Quizzes
- Essays
- Practical-application video submissions
Once you’ve logged onto our online learning portal, you’ll have access to our vast library of resources. Since this portion of training is virtual, you can tailor it around your unique schedule and learn from the comfort of your own home. Some students even practice techniques on their own dogs.
The purpose of online training is to set the foundation for the next step: in-person training. The more you learn during this stage, the more effective training will be.
Step 3: In-Person Training
The third step of our program — in-person training — offers a chance to put the knowledge you’ve gained during online training to good use. Training takes place at the Dog Wizard Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio. Over the course of five weeks, you’ll go through an immersive, fast-paced training experience that combines tried-and-tested theories with real, hands-on techniques. Benefits of the in-person portion include:
- Real dog experience: If you haven’t been able to practice with real dogs yet, now’s your chance. Spending time with actual animals gives you insight into which techniques work for you and which ones need adjustment. You’ll also gain experience working with various breeds, energy levels and behavioral problems.
- Teamwork: Not only will you get to work with dogs, you’ll also have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow budding dog trainers. You can share advice, give each other tips and help each other accomplish goals.
- Mentors: During training, you’ll have the chance to work with some of the most talented professionals in the business. Our trainers are passionate about the field and always happy to share their unique wisdom with new trainers.
The purpose of training is to take the concepts you’ve been working on and apply them to real-life situations. By practicing, learning and adjusting, you’ll enhance your skills and become the best dog trainer you can be.
Step 4: Job Placement
Upon completion of our training program, you’ll be rewarded with certification — this confirms your ability to effectively train dogs with a variety of behavioral problems. While certification is great, it doesn’t always guarantee a job. Many people graduate from school, then struggle to find their place in the workforce. At The Dog Wizard, we don’t abandon our trainers once they finish school. Instead, we make everyone a candidate for a job within our network.
An increasing number of families are adopting dogs, which means our services are in high demand. We’re always looking for driven, passionate trainers to join our team — who could be better than the trainers who’ve already finished their education? If you’re open to relocation, you’re bound to find a spot in one of our multiple franchise locations.
Step 5: Becoming an Owner
Do you dream of owning your own dog training franchise location one day? If so, we can help you achieve that goal. Many members of our team started out as trainers or even kennel techs, then worked their way up to becoming the owner of their very own location. For the average person, starting and operating a business is no easy feat. However, if you’re part of The Dog Wizard family, you can enjoy our resources, advice, and support as you embark on this exciting career journey.
Join Our Family Today!
If you’ve ever owned or spent extensive time with a dog, you know firsthand just how loving and loyal these creatures can be. For some of us, having a pet simply isn’t enough — we want to spend as much time around these four-legged friends as we possibly can. If this sounds like you, a career in dog training might be the right next step.
At The Dog Wizard, we’re always looking for animal lovers to join our team. From our detailed enrollment stage and online resources to our immersive training and hands-on support, we cover every step of the dog training process. By the end of our program, not only will you have earned your certification but you’ll also have the tools you need to further your career. Schedule a consultation today to learn more!