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If you’ve always had a passion for dogs or are looking to make a career switch, becoming a dog trainer in Alaska might be the perfect fit for you.
It’s a fulfilling career that’s fairly straightforward to get into, and this guide will help you get started.
In Alaska, certification is required to work as a dog trainer, and I’ll walk you through the steps to get certified.
Plus, I’ll share some great schools where you can receive the necessary training.
Earn your accredited, affordable Dog Training Certificate online with Penn Foster!
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Job Duties of a Dog Trainer in Alaska
Dog trainers are responsible for a range of key duties, including:
- Teaching dogs obedience commands
- Developing dogs’ social skills
- Assessing each dog’s temperament
- Customizing training techniques to suit individual dogs
- Guiding owners on how to reinforce training at home
Additional responsibilities may arise depending on the needs of the pets and their owners.
This career also allows trainers to specialize in certain areas, such as:
- Agility training
- Service dog training
- Behavior modification for dogs with anxiety or aggression
Trainers who don’t focus on a specific specialty can still identify behavioral issues and refer clients to specialists as needed.
Steps Towards Certification as a Dog Trainer in Alaska
The first step toward becoming a certified dog trainer is gaining hands-on experience and knowledge about dog training.
You can achieve this in several ways:
- Attending workshops
- Participating in dog training classes
- Attending seminars
- Watching educational videos on dog training techniques
- Volunteering at animal shelters
- Networking with experienced trainers and observing their sessions
You can consider certification once you’ve built your skills and feel confident.
It would be best if you also considered becoming a member of some associations, such as:
- Association of Professional Dog Trainers
- The American Kennel Club
Through these organizations, you can always be sure to stay up-to-date with the changes in the industry.
Additionally, you’ll also know when it’s time to renew your certification.
For instance, one of the best credentials to earn is the one from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
The AKC requires 300 hours of experience as a dog trainer accumulated in the last 3 years.
Additionally, individuals will have to pass an exam with 180 questions that have multiple answer choices.
Dog Training Certification Programs in Alaska
Let’s see some schools where you can enroll in a program for a future dog trainer!
Animal Behavior College 
This college offers online classes for those who want to work as dog trainers.
The classes are offered for several types of dog training, thus graduates will have several career options.
Candidates should know that this career requires hands-on learning as well.
This isn’t an issue with these online classes, because the school partnered with many trainers across the country that can help in this aspect.
The program lasts just one year, allowing you to start working fast after graduating.
For those who want to pay the tuition in full, the sum is approximately $2,700.
The application fee is $75 and it’s included in the tuition.
If you choose to pay through other methods, the tuition can go as high as $5,647.
Here’s what the tuition covers:
- 29 educational dog training videos
- Almost 1,000 pages of study material
- Real-world training experience with a professional dog trainer
- Certifications for Pet CPR and First Aid valid for 2 years
- Certification as an ABC Dog Trainer – lifetime validity
Karen Pryor Academy 
This academy offers several training options:
- Dog Trainer Professional
- Dog Trainer Comprehensive
- Dog Trainer Foundations
- Dog Trainer Foundations Immersion
- Therapy Dog Team Training
- Click to Calm For Instructors
You’ll have to pay $5,600 while the classes will be delivered online.
The method used to teach is force-free, unlike in other schools.
Upon graduation, you’ll earn the KPA Certified Training Partner.
The best part of these classes is that the accumulated knowledge can be applied to other animals, not just dogs.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Animal Behavior College | online classes |
| Karen Pryor Academy | online classes |
Earn your accredited, affordable Dog Training Certificate online with Penn Foster!
Salaries for Dog Trainers in Alaska
It’s common knowledge that earnings in any occupation depend on several factors.
Here are the most common of them:
- Experience
- Location
- Specialty
- Demand
In Alaska, dog trainers typically earn between $29,762 and $38,701 per year, with the average salary being around $33,682 annually.
To give you a clearer picture, I’ve prepared a table showing the average salaries for dog trainers across different cities in Alaska, which you can find below.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fairbanks | $34,331 |
| Anchorage | $34,084 |
| Juneau | $34,084 |
| Shishmaref | $33,867 |
| Sitka | $33,620 |
| Ketchikan | $33,620 |
| Wasilla | $33,620 |
| Palmer | $33,620 |
| Houston | $33,620 |
| Kwigillingok | $33,620 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dog trainer in Alaska supposed to know?
Here are the main duties of a dog trainer:
- Basic obedience for older dogs
- Puppy training
- Obedience training for competition
- Special training for search and rescue
- Teaching a dog how to interact with their owner
- Positive reinforcement and reward systems
- Clicker training
- Verbal cues and hand signals
- Communicating with owners
- Assigning homework to owners
What career options do I have if I become a dog trainer in Alaska?
Dog trainers have quite a few career options to choose from:
- Trainers for other dog trainers
- Veterinarians
- Veterinary technicians
Alaska is so big: I'm afraid there's no dog training school close to me. What do I do?
Some states are indeed larger than others and finding any type of school can be difficult.
However, institutions are offering online classes to help those interested in attending them.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dog Trainer
Dog Trainer by State