How to Become a Dog Trainer in Hawaii

For those who love dogs and are considering a career change, becoming a dog trainer in Hawaii could be an interesting idea or option.

This fulfilling profession is relatively easy to get started in, and this guide will cover the key steps to begin your journey.

Having a dog trainer certification in Hawaii is a requirement.

This article will guide you through the process of becoming certified.

I’ll also recommend top training programs to help you develop the skills needed to thrive in this career.

Understanding the Role of a Dog Trainer in Hawaii

Just like any occupation, dog trainers have plenty of responsibilities on their hands.

The most important tasks include:

• Teaching basic obedience commands to dogs
• Enhancing social interactions among dogs
• Evaluating each dog’s temperament
• Customizing training techniques to meet individual needs
• Advising pet owners on how to reinforce training at home

Additional duties may vary depending on the specific needs of the dogs and their owners.

Trainers can also choose to specialize in areas like:

• Agility training
• Service dog training
• Behavioral modification for issues like anxiety or aggression

Having a specialization under your belt will usually bring additional duties, so this is something to keep in mind.

Even without specializing, dog trainers can identify behavioral concerns and refer clients to specialists when necessary.

Steps to Certification as a Dog Trainer in Hawaii

To become a certified dog trainer, the first step is to gain hands-on experience and deepen your knowledge in the field.

Here are some effective ways to achieve this:

• Attend workshops and seminars
• Enroll in dog training courses
• Watch instructional videos on different training techniques
• Volunteer at animal shelters
• Observe experienced trainers and build a network

Once you’ve built confidence in your skills, the next step is to pursue certification.

One of the highly respected certifications is offered by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

To qualify, you’ll need to have completed 300 hours of hands-on training within the past three years.

Once that’s done, you must pass a comprehensive test with 180 questions.

Most dog trainers also join professional organizations like the Association of Professional Dog Trainers or the American Kennel Club.

Being a part of these associations helps you stay current on industry trends and certification renewal requirements.

Dog Training Certification Programs in Hawaii

Several schools offer programs to help you start your dog training career.

Hawaii Fi-Do Service Dogs

This institution is a 501©3 organization and those who donate may have the tax deductible in full.

The classes offered are designed for service dogs.

These dogs come from breeders and the training starts while they’re still puppies.

Each dog that completes its training must master health, behavior, obedience, and other skills to change lives.

The training lasts for 2 years and the dogs have to respond to some 90 commands.

There are no training facilities, but you can offer your services when there aren’t many breeders available.

Pro Dog Hawaii

This dog trainer school suggests you first have a meeting and then decide if you enroll or not.

This initial meeting costs $180 and you’ll have access to 90 classes with a duration of 90 minutes.

If you want to continue with the classes, you’ll get access to 10 hours of private sessions for $1,190.

These can be organized almost anywhere, including your home.

There are also individual training classes that cost $130 per hour.

Group classes have between 3 and 6 students, the duration is 6 weeks and the fee is $252.

Hawaii Dog Training Services

This organization offers one-on-one training classes at the client’s home as one of their services.

These classes are for the whole family living with the dog, including children.

The most popular package here contains 5 lessons where the training focuses on the dog’s behavior in and around the house, including with guests.

Another popular package contains 10 lessons and is for those who want or can walk the dog off-leash while ignoring distractions.

If you just got a puppy, there’s a special class for training it as well.

The several options presented cost:

• $190 for a single lesson of 1 hour
• $250 for a lesson of 1.5 hours
• $900 for 5 lessons of 1 hour each
• $1800 for 10 lessons of 1 hour each
• $950 for 6 puppy training lessons, of 1 hour each

Other offered services include:

• Board and Train
• Virtual puppy training
• Lesson subscriptions

The virtual puppy training seems to be the best service package, as you’ll pay $150 and have access to the learning material for 90 days.

Salary Expectations for Dog Trainers in Hawaii

Like many careers, a dog trainer’s salary will vary based on several key factors.

They include:

• Level of experience
• Geographic location within the state
• Area of specialization
• Demand for dog training services

In Hawaii, dog trainers typically earn between $28,560 and $37,137 annually, with an average salary of around $32,321 annually.

For a more detailed look, I’ve included a table below showing the average salaries for dog trainers across different cities in Hawaii.

Regional Salary in Hawaii

Dog Trainer by State