How to Become a Dog Trainer in Maine

If you love dogs or are considering a career change, becoming a dog trainer in Maine could be your ideal opportunity.

This rewarding profession is relatively easy to enter, and this guide will provide the information you need to get started.

In Maine, you’ll need a certification to work as a dog trainer, and I’ll outline the steps involved in the certification process.

Additionally, I’ll highlight some excellent schools where you can gain the necessary training.

Read on to discover more!

Responsibilities of a Dog Trainer in Maine

As a dog trainer, you’ll have various essential duties, including:

• Teaching obedience commands to dogs
• Enhancing dogs’ social skills
• Evaluating each dog’s temperament
• Tailoring training methods to meet individual dog needs
• Educating owners on how to reinforce training techniques at home

Your responsibilities may expand based on the specific requirements of the pets and their owners.

Moreover, you can choose to specialize in areas such as:

• Agility training
• Service dog training
• Behavior modification for dogs showing anxiety or aggression

Even if you don’t specialize, you can still identify behavioral issues and refer clients to specialists when necessary.

Steps to Certification as a Dog Trainer in Maine

The initial step toward becoming a certified dog trainer is acquiring hands-on experience and knowledge in dog training.

You can gain this experience through various methods, such as:

• Attending workshops
• Enrolling in dog training classes
• Participating in seminars
• Watching instructional videos on dog training techniques
• Volunteering at animal shelters
• Networking with seasoned trainers and observing their training sessions

Once you’ve honed your skills and feel confident, you can pursue certification.

For example, one of the most respected credentials comes from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

The AKC requires candidates to have accumulated 300 hours of training experience in the last three years and to pass a 180-question exam with multiple-choice answers.

Consider joining professional associations, like:

• The Association of Professional Dog Trainers
• The American Kennel Club

These organizations will help you stay informed about industry updates and remind you when it’s time to renew your certification.

Dog Training Certification Programs in Maine

Here are some institutions where you can enroll in a program to become a dog trainer:

Animal Behavior College

This college offers online courses for aspiring dog trainers, providing a variety of training types and career paths.

Although these are online classes, hands-on experience is crucial, and the school has partnered with numerous trainers nationwide to facilitate this.

The program duration is just one year, allowing you to start your career quickly after graduation.

Tuition is approximately $2,700 for full payment, which includes a $75 application fee.

If you opt for alternative payment methods, tuition may increase to around $5,647.

Tuition covers:

• 29 educational dog training videos
• Nearly 1,000 pages of study material
• Practical training with a professional dog trainer
• Certifications in Pet CPR and First Aid (valid for two years)
• ABC Dog Trainer certification (lifetime validity)

CATCH Canine Trainers 

CATCH Canine Trainers, a state-licensed dog training school, offers a variety of certification levels, allowing you to progress through each course at your own pace.

Their program isn’t just available in Maine for it’s accessible throughout the United States, supported by professional mentor trainers in every state.

The school’s headquarters are located just outside of New York City in northern New Jersey.

With our nationally recognized program and extensive trainer network, you can study and connect with a local mentor no matter where you are in the U.S.

They empower those who aspire to make a difference in the canine world while helping you build a rewarding career doing what you love.

Husson University

This college offers a course that has 9 credit hours so it’s at the undergraduate level.

Each credit costs $398 per credit hour.

This an ideal program for everyone who wants to work with animals, of any kind.

The Animal Training certificate program of this college is offered completely online.

Here are some of the classes you’ll have to attend:

• Animal Behavior
• Animal-Human Interactions
• Animal Training

Earnings for Dog Trainers in Maine

Salaries in any profession can vary based on several factors, including:

• Experience
• Location
• Specialty
• Market demand

In Maine, dog trainers generally earn between $26,592 and $34,579 annually, with an average salary of approximately $30,094.

To provide more context, I’ve prepared a table displaying average salaries for dog trainers across different cities in Maine.

Regional Salary in Maine

Dog Trainer by State