Expert: Sharon Reed Abboud - 9/24/2007

Question
Here’s me in a nut shell… I’m 21 years old and I still live at home. I have a fire Science degree, and I’m a volunteer fire fighter for the small town I live in… but I’ve lost interest in fire related activities. I wanted to become a firefighter for the rush, but now realize that that was the wrong reason to do it for… the real reason to become a firefighter is to help people, and threw  my schooling I’ve found out that having someone’s life in my hands is just not my cup of tea… I feel like I’m suck here, just living in my parent house, and its time to leave, but now I don’t have a good enough job to move out.. I’ve always wanted to become a dog trainer but there is a lack of schooling to become one… so at the moment I’m making a list of all the dog trainers in Iowa, and then I’m going to send out a resume with a cover letter saying that I would like a job as an apprentice. I have a high level of experience working with dogs (worked at a vets office for 6 years), and even started a very successful dog training business, so I would make a great apprentice.   But do I have any other options???  I’m really lost on what I should do, and  I don’t want to have a minimal wage job my whole life…

Answer
Hi. Thanks for your question. It sounds like you are taking the right steps toward becoming a dog trainer. I would suggest that you consider joining a professional dog trainer’s organization or association so that you can network on the Internet with people in that industry.  Many of the associations have career information and job boards for their members on their sites.

I did an Internet search on “dog training/career” and found these web sites that might be of interest to you. (Be sure to check out an organization carefully before you join.)

*The Association of Pet Dog Trainers:  http://www.apdt.com/about/join/default.aspx

*The National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors, http://www.nadoi.org/

*National K-9 Dog Trainers Association, http://www.nk9dta.com/

*The International Association of Canine Professionals, http://www.dogpro.org/

I found this article on the Association of Pet Dog Trainers website:
“So You Want to be a Dog Trainer?” http://www.apdt.com/po/career.aspx

According to the article, national certification is available through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers: http://www.ccpdt.orgHer/

Also, here is the link to the US Department of Labor webpage for “Animal Care and Service Workers”: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos168.htm

Keep sending out your resumes for apprenticeship positions—it sounds like a good plan. You may want to consider volunteering for a dog trainer if you do not find an apprenticeship position.  It is advisable to keep your day job or find another job to pay your bills while volunteering. Volunteering will enable you to meet people in the dog training field and may eventually lead to a job offer.

Also, you should try to get out and meet people who are dog trainers. Try to set up a few “informational interviews” with dog trainers who live nearby. Give them a call and ask if you can meet with them to find out more about their job. Be sure to tell them that you are not requesting a formal job interview, just 10-15 minutes of their time. Ask each person who you meet if they know other dog trainers who also might be willing to meet with you. Be sure to thank the people you meet via email or surface mail. Let them know in your thank you note that you would appreciate it if they would refer you if they hear of someone who is looking for a dog training apprentice. Keep in touch with them by sending occasional emails. Hopefully someone will let you know about a suitable job opportunity or apprenticeship.

Good luck!