Why Consider a Dog Training School?
Enrolling in a dog training school and earning your dog obedience trainer certification can make your dream of a career working with animals a reality. Learn how to become a dog trainer at Animal Behavior College (ABC). The ABC Dog Obedience Instructor Program is an accessible, flexible, and affordable way to enter the dog training profession.
Even though you can technically call yourself a dog trainer without any education or licensing, attending a dog training school is important. Having a foundation in animal behavior and positive reinforcement training techniques will help you plan successful strategies for working with all sorts of dog personalities.
And you’d better believe today’s savvy dog parents are looking for certified dog trainers; not just anyone who claims to be a trainer will do.
Why Become a Dog Trainer?
There are many great reasons for animal lovers to go into dog training.
- Becoming a dog obedience trainer lets you earn a living by making a difference in both human and canine lives.
- Training can prevent wayward pups from being abandoned or surrendered to shelters.
- Dog trainers are not stuck behind a desk. Dog training is a physically active career and offers the ability to be outside a lot.
- Dog trainers can work flexible hours. If you’re looking for a great side gig or just want schedule flexibility in your career, this could be just the ticket!
- If you’ve ever wanted to be your own boss, dog training offers the perfect opportunity.
Dog Training Classes to Fit Your Schedule!
Animal Behavior College offers a hybrid program that combines online learning with real-world experience close to home. We provide you the education, practical skills and real world experience needed to start your professional obedience training career.
Our students enjoy the affordability and flexibility of an online program plus the invaluable experience of working with a professional mentor during the “externship.” In person experience is critical in learning how to become an effective dog trainer, and it’s what allows our students to exit the program confident in their skills.
Our curriculum consists of 11 stages covering topics ranging from basic study of canines to business building tips. Once the online stages of the program have been completed, you advance to the externship, in which you can apply everything you’ve learned in a real-life setting.
Dog Trainer Career Earning Potential in California
Dog Trainer Career Earning Potential
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Academy of Pet Careers, Indeed.com and Talent.com 2024. Hourly rates may vary in your area.
Dog Trainer Career Earning Potential in Texas
Dog Trainer Career Earning Potential in Virginia
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Academy of Pet Careers, Indeed.com and Talent.com 2024. Own Your Own Business earnings statistics reference the prices charged in 2025 for private in-person dog training lessons, based on what multiple companies charge across various cities in the specified state. Hourly rates may vary in your area.
Don't Just Take Our Word For It
New and Improved LIMA Compliant Curriculum
In support of ABC’s commitment to keeping dogs safe from injurious training methods, our updated curriculum will continue to advocate science-based, positive reinforcement training philosophies, including using the least invasive minimally aversive (LIMA) training techniques.
Students in pursuit of the Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA®) certification need to be LIMA Compliant which is one of the many reasons our certification preparatory program teaches ABC students LIMA training techniques.
Our new, enhanced curriculum includes an additional 300 pages of information and features a beautiful, sleek graphic design and training videos all with the goal of providing students an improved learning experience.
The improved curriculum also includes content on conducting remote training lessons; up-to-date information on how to get the most out of using both current and traditional marketing tools such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media, email and print media; and an expanded appendix of various training and business forms. Take a sneak peek at our curriculum here.
Dog Obedience School Overview
- Get invaluable real-world experience
- Receive Pet CPR and First Aid Certification
- Experience what it’s like to work with dogs
- Receive ongoing student support
- Invest in a rewarding career with animals
- Get CCDT certification
Animal Behavior College Recognized by Top Pet Industry and News Sources
In Person Training & Mentorship
In person experience is critical in learning how to become an effective dog trainer, which is why we include an externship portion in our dog trainer program. During in person training, you work with a Mentor Trainer thus gaining the work experience required to become a professional dog trainer.
Continue Your Dog Training Education
Our Dog Obedience Trainer Program is a perfect foundation for students looking to learn the basics of dog training. Once you complete your learning, consider growing your skillset by enrolling in our Service Dog Trainer Program!
Approved by Dog Training Leaders
Our Dog Trainer Program is approved by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI).
This program prepares students in pursuit of the Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA®) Certification.
Tuition & Financing
Tuition for our Dog Training Program ranges from Regular price: $2,899.00 to $5,647.00 depending on your payment arrangement.* This cost covers your study materials and externship.
*Ask about our discount for Active Military and Veterans who enroll in our distance learning courses
Flexible Hours & Real World Experience
The flexibility of our dog training school allows you to study from home. Our program is perfect for those leading busy lives since you can take your dog training course online at your convenience. We have an amazing staff of Program Managers who help guide you along in the program. They’re dedicated to helping you succeed in each stage and answering your questions.
Dog Training School Locations Near You
Our dog training certification program is available in all 50 U.S. states and every Canadian province. We’re able to offer students in these locations in person training due to our growing network of pet industry professionals.
Staff of Expert Trainers
You can rest assured you’re learning from experts when you enroll in Animal Behavior College. Founded and operated by award-winning professional trainers Steven Appelbaum and Debbie Kendrick, our school is designed to help you succeed.
In addition to enrolling in a school built by dog trainers for dog trainers, you’re receiving quality education and support from our Program Managers. All of our Program Managers are graduates of our school, some still train dogs in their local communities.
Dog Obedience Training Career Resources
Career Information and Advice for Dog Trainers from the professionals at Animal Behavior College
- How to approach marketing in the digital age including social media marketing
- How to begin networking for your business
- How to attract and keep clients
- How does adding other skills, like cat training, to your trainer’s toolbox can help you build your business
- Billing, how to create a system to properly bill for my hours
- How to use grow my skills and start training service dogs to help people with disabilities
Become a Certified Dog Trainer
Once you complete our training program, you receive your dog trainer certification as well as the title of CCDT, which can be used after your name. From there, you may choose to apply for the Alumni Association, which has many perks, including updates on the latest pet industry news and discounts. With a CCDT certification, you can take your pet training career virtually everywhere. Whether you want to work for an animal shelter organization, train dogs at your local pet store or start your own business, there could be many career opportunities available to you as a certified trainer from ABC.
Program Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to teach you everything from positive reinforcement philosophies to business building. We bring more than 100 years of professional dog training experience to our program with the goal of helping you succeed. You will also become certified in Pet CPR and First Aid.
- Stage 1 – Basic Overview of Canines: Introduces you to the world of dogs, including: breeds and groups; behavioral development periods; nutrition basics; health; anatomy & physiology; and communication.
- Stage 2 – Learning Theory: Discusses dog training principles, including the LIMA (least intrusive, minimally aversive) approach and the Humane Hierarchy; scientific principles, such as classical and operant conditioning and the four stages of learning; and numerous behavior-modification techniques.
- Stage 3 – A Dog Trainer’s Toolbox: Discusses the myriad training tools you and your clients can use need to teach dogs new behaviors and polite manner, as well as help provide them with sufficient mental and physical enrichment.
- Stage 4 – Training Fundamentals: Covers the history and evolution of training principles and techniques; the various types of training programs; and how to distinguish between temperament and personality traits. It also introduces you to working dogs, including therapy, service and emotional support.
- Stage 5 – Basic Obedience Cues: Provides step-by-step instructions on how to train dogs to perform basic obedience cues by using the LIMA approach; following the Humane Hierarchy; and adhering to the four stages of learning.
- Stage 6 – Effective Problem-Behavior Solving: Discusses how to address common behavior problems by creating effective treatment plans that follow the Humane Hierarchy and adhere to the LIMA approach.
- Stage 7 – Dog Training Safety: Explains how to conduct safe and stress-free training sessions—both group and private.
- Stage 8 – Public Speaking & Conducting Training Lessons: Introduces you to public-speaking best practices and how to interact with clients. Discusses how to conduct group classes and private lessons, including creating lesson plans and homework assignments. Also explains how to setup and conduct remote training classes.
- Stage 9 – Building a Training Business: Provides you with everything you need to know to launch your training business, from creating a business plan to developing marketing strategies and establishing budgets. Also discusses working for others, including how to write effective résumes and cover letters, and successful interview practices.
- Stage 10 – Externship & Shelter Volunteer: Gives you real world training by working under a Mentor Trainer. It also offers you animal shelter volunteer experience.
- Stage 11 – Final Exam & Graduation
Why Earn Your CCDT Certification?
Dog trainers can benefit from the fact their job has potential. With more than 65.1 million dogs in the U.S.1, there is an undeniable demand for dog trainers. You can stand out from the competition by getting your dog training certification from Animal Behavior College. By graduating from our program, you’ll have extensive knowledge and real world training. This is an important point. Is it possible to learn to become a dog trainer without attending a school like Animal Behavior College? Yes, it is. However, without the structure or knowledge it becomes more difficult, more time-consuming and far less efficient to choose and read the literally tens of thousands of books and online materials available. Additionally, you won’t get the supervised externship from a pre-screened professional. All of these reasons are why we’ve trained more than 18,600 dog trainers over the last 25 years.
You can become one of them! To learn how you can get started today, please call 800-795-3294 or fill out the form.
