About the ABC Dog Trainer Certification

What is Certification?

Certification acknowledges that you are a serious professional in your chosen field who has obtained a level of expertise through your personal study and education.  Upon graduating the ABC Dog Obedience Instructor Program, you will be granted certification through Animal Behavior College and will be able to use the initials ABCDT (Animal Behavior College Dog Trainer) after your name.

All dogs are different and they do not all learn the same way; this is why it is important for our graduates to be well versed in a multitude of different techniques in order to help every dog and have success in every situation.  Our focus is on behavioral theory and teaching our students how dogs communicate, how they learn and what motivates them. We have a bias towards positive motivational training techniques which means we train dogs to earn a reward rather than to avoid a punishment.

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.

  Growing Industry

Employment of animal care and service workers in the U.S. is predicted to grow 11% from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations.  Source:  Bureau of Labor Statistics.  

Why ABC is the Leader of the Pack

There are 6 major reasons people choose to get their education at Animal Behavior College:

• Reputation
• Flexibility
• Hands on training right in your own area so there is no need to relocate
• Business Building Tools
• Affordability
• Alumni Benefits
  

Certified Dog Trainer Package

Given the advanced level of education, you will be unable to start our Short Term Programs until you finish the first 9 stages of our Certified Dog Trainer Program. If you opt to PRE-purchase our Short Term Programs when you enroll in the Certified Dog Trainer Program you will be purchasing the Certified Dog Trainer Package.

Training Shelter Dogs

This program will teach you ways in which you can possibly save lives and improve shelter dog adoption rates. You will learn the dynamics of the shelter environment.  This program will take you to the next level by giving you a thorough understanding of the problem behaviors commonly associated with shelter dogs

       Why this Short Term Program is important

• It teaches you to deal with some of the more significant problems shelter dogs have
• It will provide you in depth training on how to properly evaluate and temperament test dogs
• It may provide your clients with the peace of mind that you are a skilled professional in possession of advanced training and that their animals are safe with you

After completing this program, you can gain additional certification regarding temperament testing from the ASPCA (and we will even provide a voucher for you to gain this certification at a discounted price)

Teaching Private Lessons

This Short Term Program provides knowledge and strategies for building and maintaining a private-lesson practice.  This program is designed for the serious professional who is eager to maximize their income potential.

       Why this Short Term Program is important

• Teaching private lessons is one of the highest paying segments of the dog training industry
• You will be provided invaluable tools on how to create customized training programs to help dogs overcome their behavior issues
• The popularity of dog training programs have shown people the true effectiveness of one-on-one training in the comfort and convenience of their own home
• You will also be provided with formats to give homework assignments for the owners to do between your sessions; creating better compliance with owners to yield much better final results
• A happy customer can lead to additional referrals; no advertising in the world is more powerful than a great referral!

Pet sitting and Dog Walking

In this program, you will learn how to start, operate and promote pet sitting and dog walking services.  This is a wonderful way to offer an additional service to potential and existing clients.

       Why this Short Term Program is important

• People consider their pets as family members and want to be sure their pets are given the best possible care
• As a professional dog trainer you can offer this service to already existing clients

Pet Nutrition and Diet

This program discusses basic nutrition, the regulations governing commercial pet foods, and the nutritional needs for both cats and dogs. You will learn how to read pet food labels including the importance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and protective nutrients. You will also learn about the different types of diets and how food can play a huge role in a pet’s behavior.

       Why this Short Term Program is important

• Your clients may ask you what they should be feeding their new cat or dog
• After the completion of this course, you will have the knowledge to educate your clients on how to provide their animals with the best nutrition based on their pet’s individual age, weight, and health condition

Pet Massage

This program helps dog trainers enjoy the benefit of having a calm animal in their training classes as well as offering massage services for pets recovering from injuries or sooth the aches of senior pets. Topics include: general anatomy and physiology, principles and concepts for different types of massage, details for how to develop a pet massage business and more.*

       Why this Short Term Program is important

• The ability to soothe and calm dogs and cats through touch improves the human-animal relationship and promotes trust and bonding
• As a trainer you will have the ability to create a more positive training experience because you will have an enhanced knowledge of canine anatomy and an awareness of touch zones

*State and federal laws regarding the practice of Pet Massage vary widely and are subject to change. Since ABC has no jurisdiction regarding state and federal laws revolving around the practice of Pet Massage, ABC highly recommends that potential students educate themselves on the state and federal laws and regulations and how they may affect their practice of Pet Massage before purchasing the ABC Pet Massage Short Term Program. It is the responsibility of potential students to determine what laws and regulations their state has adopted to govern the practice of Pet Massage. ABC does not assume any responsibility for state or federal regulations that prohibit or limit the practice of pet massage by the student.

Pet Fostering

This course instructs you on how to set up a pet fostering program for an existing rescue or shelter. You will learn how to select and retain volunteers as well as match foster animals with volunteers, along with other skills essential to maintaining a fostering program.

      Why this Short Term Program is important

• The knowledge of how to set up a pet fostering program can provide a valuable and rewarding experience for you, your volunteers and the rescues and / or shelters you will be working with
• As a trainer you will have the opportunity to act as a liaison between rescues and shelters and volunteers who share your passion of rescuing animals and finding them forever homes

Doggie Daycare

This course instructs you on how to create, set-up and run a doggie daycare business. You will learn business basics as well as how to handle groups of dogs and work with clients.  Included in this Short Term Program is Doggie daycare best practices, along with tips on how to expand your clientele.

      Why this Short Term Program is important

• People consider their pets as family and it is important that they trust they can leave their furry family members in good hands when they are away
• As a trainer you will have the opportunity to provide your clients the additional service of doggie daycare

Additional Information

Third Party Vendor Pricing

Third party vendors that pay for your tuition may be subject to different pricing than listed. Programs such as the Military Spouse Program, Vocational Rehab, Disability, Unemployment, Workers Comp, the VA, etc. will likely have alternate pricing.  Please check with your Admission Counselor for a breakdown of pricing.

Full Scholarships Available to Qualified Military Spouses

Animal Behavior College is proud to be a part of the MyCAA Financial Assistance program. This program offers eligible military spouses up to $4,000 of tuition assistance that can be used towards any course offered by Animal Behavior College.

Animal Behavior College is the Largest Animal Career School in the nation specializing in the animal industry for decades!