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Do you love dogs and have a knack for teaching?
Then, you might be just the right person to consider completing an Online Dog Trainer Program to help you achieve your goal of working with cute pups.
As a Dog Trainer, you’ll get to help clients with their reactive, disobedient dogs or even their new puppies who just need a little coaxing.
The best way to get started as a Dog Trainer is to complete a program where you can learn the tips and tricks of the field.
Earn your accredited, affordable Veterinary-Related career diploma or degree online with Penn Foster!
There are many online options for people who want to become Dog Trainers, and many are affordable, convenient, and set at your own pace.
Let’s take a look at some of the Best Online Dog Trainer Programs available.
Article Table of Contents
- 1 Best Online Dog Trainer Training Programs
- 2 What Courses Are in an Online Dog Trainer Program?
- 3 Can You Earn a Dog Trainer Certification Completely Online?
- 4 How Long Does it Take to Earn a Dog Trainer Certification Online?
- 5 How Much Does an Online Dog Trainer Certification Cost?
- 6 Types of Dog Trainer Certifications
- 7 4 Self-Study Tips for Dog Trainer Online Students
- 8 Summary
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions
Best Online Dog Trainer Training Programs
1. Stratford Career Institute
About the Program:
Since 1991, Stratford Career Institute has helped people achieve their goals in a variety of areas, including Dog Training.
This quality at-home learning program will guide you toward success and teach you how to immediately assess, train, and reward all different breeds of dogs.
With Stratford Career Institute, you could consider creating your own business as a Dog Trainer or simply learn how to alleviate unwanted behaviors.
The Dog Trainer Program through Stratford Career Institute will take about 21 months to complete, which results in certification.
Courses Offered:
- Compulsive Behaviors
- Tethering Exercises
- Health and Feeding
- Behavior and Socialization
- Verbal and Hand Cues
Contact Information:
- Address: 1 Champlain Commons, Unit 3 P.O. Box 1560 Saint Albans, VT 05478
- Phone: 800-254-4070
- Website: Stratford Career Institute
Program Cost:
There is a down payment required of $20, then you will need to pay a monthly cost of $36.61.
This totals $789 for the complete online training package.
2. CATCH Canine Trainers
About the Program:
The best part about CATCH Canine Trainers is that you can learn from anywhere in the United States.
That is because the website offers online Dog Training options for any budget.
One of the most famous trainers in New York, David Muriello, created CATCH Canine Trainers to help people win over pups all over the country.
With this program, you’ll work with a professional trainer who will teach you the basics of dog training, so that you can become a Master Trainer and earn certification.
Courses Offered:
- Core Skills
- Basic Pro
- Dog Training and Behavior
- Master Class
Contact Information:
- Address: Little Falls, NJ
- Phone: 888-976-1853
- Website: Catch Dog Training
Program Cost:
At Catch Dog Training, you will pay anywhere from $96 to $139 per month until you complete the courses necessary to become certified, which is about twelve months.
3. Animal Behavior College
About the Program:
Animal Behavior College provides a world-class education that is accredited and accurate for today’s world.
Animal Behavior College is a completely green environment because all of their training is done right online.
This means you’ll get to stay home and learn without creating a carbon footprint, not only will you be investing in yourself, but you’ll invest in the earth’s future as well.
At Animal Behavior College, you can become certified as a Pet Groomer, Dog Trainer, Classroom Dog Trainer, Vet Assistant, and much more.
Courses Offered:
- Training Fundamentals
- Business Building
- Effective Problem Solving
- Basic Obedience Cues
Contact Information:
- Address: 27509 Avenue Hopkins Santa Clarita, CA 91355
- Phone: 800-795-3294
- Website: Animal Behavior College
Program Cost:
The tuition at Animal Behavior College ranges from $2,899 to $5,647 depending on which payment options that you are qualified for.
There are military and veteran discounts available.
4. Penn Foster
About the Program:
In as little as five months you can become a certified Dog Trainer through the program at Penn Foster.
This online Dog Training program will give you all the basics needed to run your company training dogs to be their best selves.
Through accredited curriculum and videos from professionals, you’ll master the ability to understand canine behavior, achieve recall goals, and even understand how to care for different breeds of dogs.
It takes just 11 courses and 29 exams to finish this program and become certified as a Dog Trainer.
Courses Offered:
- How Dogs Learn
- Behavior Analysis
- Agility Training
- Dog Breed Selection
- House and Crate Training
Contact Information:
- Address: 200 Hickory St. Scranton, PA 18505
- Phone: 800-275-4410
- Website: Penn Foster
Program Cost:
The program at Penn Foster costs $59 a month for a total of $989, however, if you pay in full upfront you can receive a discount which comes out to $799.
5. Karen Pryor Academy
About the Program:
Join over 2,600 people who have worked to become Professional Dog Trainers through the program at Karen Pryor Academy.
The goal of Karen Pryor Academy is to provide you with guidance through professional trainers in a one-on-one atmosphere, to achieve your goals.
You’ll work with an established trainer online to learn how to teach your dog tricks and obedience and then implement those into actionable, rewarding, intentions.
Work at your own pace to get the most out of every aspect of Karen Pryor Academy.
Courses Offered:
Karen Pryor Academy provides workshops with different professional trainers that you can attend in person or online, depending on your state and time zone.
Contact Information:
- Address: 2810 North Church St. Wilmington, DE 19802
- Phone: 800-472-4447
- Website: Karen Pryor Academy
Program Cost:
To become a professional dog trainer through the Karen Pryor Academy, you will need to pay $6,600 for virtual classes.
6. International School for Certified Dog Trainers
About the Program:
Enjoy eighteen in-depth instruction-based courses through the International School for Certified Dog Trainers.
Start at the very beginning of this program and work your way toward mastering all it takes to become a Certified Dog Trainer.
Step by step, you’ll achieve all the goals you set for yourself, and you can do it at your own pace, on your own time, and even from your computer.
You’ll receive videos, and homework assignments, and be tasked with working in person with dogs to show all that you have learned through each course.
This means you’ll need to own a pup or borrow one from a friend to pass the International School for Certified Dog Trainers program.
Courses Offered:
- Understanding Canine Behavior
- Marker Training
- Hand Signals and Verbal Commands
- Operant Conditioning
Contact Information:
- Address: 106 Yoakum Ave. Farmingdale, NY 11735
- Phone: 516-460-7448
- Website: International School for Certified Dog Trainers
Program Cost:
For beginners, the program at the International School for Certified Dog Trainers is $399 and you receive 18 detailed lessons.
Those who want more out of their education can take more advanced classes that include skilled comprehension and master comprehension for $1,400 and $2,200 respectively.
7. E-Training for Dogs
About the Program:
E-Training for Dogs is a comprehensive learning program that you can complete fully online.
Approved both nationally and internationally, this training program allows you to work with professionals to succeed in all your Dog Training goals.
Each skill learned must be submitted via video so that trainers can see how well you have progressed and how your dog is learning as you go.
It can take about nine months to finish the E-Training for Dogs program if you consistently work at it full-time.
Courses Offered:
- Solving House Training Issues
- Think Like a Trainer
- Canine Cognition
- Lessons in Fear and Aggression
Contact Information:
- Address: Thermopolis, WY 82443
- Phone: 970-231-9965
- Website: E-Training for Dogs
Program Cost:
Students can make a full, one-time, payment of $1,810 or do an 18-month payment plan that will cost $1,980.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Stratford Career Institute | P.O. Box 1560 Saint Albans, VT 05478-5560 |
| CATCH Canine Trainers | 24 Newark Pompton Turnpike #206, Little Falls, NJ 07424, United States |
| Animal Behavior College | 27509 Ave Hopkins, Fl 1, Santa Clarita, CA 91355, |
| Penn Foster | 200 Hickory St, Scranton, PA 18505, United States |
| Karen Pryor Academy | 49 River Street, Suite 3 in Waltham, MA 02453 |
| The International School of Dog Training | 106 Yoakum Avenue Farmingdale, NY 11735 |
| e-Training for Dogs |
Earn your accredited, affordable Veterinary-Related career diploma or degree online with Penn Foster!
What Courses Are in an Online Dog Trainer Program?
There are many opportunities to learn through an Online Dog Trainer Program, especially if you want to understand how to teach dogs tricks, obedience, and unreactivity.
Some of the classes that you should expect when looking into an Online Dog Trainer Program include:
- Potty Training Issues
- Leash Walking
- Canine Cognition
- Fear and Aggression
- Behavior Problems
- Operant Conditioning
- Marker Training
- Clicker Training
- Behavior Analysis
- Agility Training
Can You Earn a Dog Trainer Certification Completely Online?
Yes, there are plenty of ways to earn a Dog Trainer Certification right on the internet.
All of the websites listed above have an online certification that you can do with videos and forums completely virtual.
Those who want to ask questions to senior trainers can do so via video, email, or text as well.
How Long Does it Take to Earn a Dog Trainer Certification Online?
The time that it takes to earn certification depends on where you attend classes.
Some programs offer classes that you can do at your own pace, which can take anywhere from several weeks to six months to complete.
Others offer 18 months’ worth of classes and are more scheduled so that you work at a slower pace.
Depending on your needs, it can take one month to 18 months to earn a Dog Trainer Certification Online.
How Much Does an Online Dog Trainer Certification Cost?
If you want a good training course, you should expect to spend a decent amount of money.
The typical Online Dog Trainer Certification program will cost anywhere from $789 to over $3,000 in some cases.
Decide what your individual needs are and how you want to learn before considering enrolling in more expensive classes that may take more time and cost a lot of money.
Self-guided classes can be cheaper and may give you exactly what you are looking for if you have the tools to equip what you learn.
Types of Dog Trainer Certifications
Online, you can find all types of certifications to help you achieve your goal of becoming a Dog Trainer.
You’ll find great options for certification on any of these websites, including:
- Agility Training
- Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
- Professional Canine Trainer
- Service Dog Trainer
- Master Dog Trainer
- Obedience Training
- Dog Obedience Instructor
4 Self-Study Tips for Dog Trainer Online Students
1. Be Consistent
The First step in working with a dog and training them to do the commands that you want is to be consistent.
You’ll want to do this when you are studying as well, consider watching and re-watching videos and taking notes to understand all of the ways to command a dog to do a trick or be obedient.
The same way that you train a dog to understand a word or trick is the same way you’ll get your mind ready for a test or exam.
2. Have a Hound
Another great way to study as a Dog Trainer Online Student is to have a dog.
You can borrow a neighbor or friend’s dog if you don’t own one yourself, but it’s best to work on a real-life pooch to assess your accuracy.
Practice with a puppy to ensure that you are doing the techniques correctly, as they are the best students for this job.
3. Repeat Yourself
Find a limerick or alliteration that works when trying to remember how to teach a dog to do a command and say it to yourself over and over.
This will help the information stick to your brain and create a memory each time you need to recall how to do something, it’s also fun for you and your dog.
4. Don’t Give Up
The best advice you can get when considering working with animals is to never give up.
Sometimes they can be fussy, not listen, and too cute which causes distractions, but maintaining a calm attitude will help your pup in the long run.
It may take some time, and depending on the dog, it can vary, so don’t give up on a puppy just because they didn’t get the command or trick right away.
Summary
Now that you have seen all the best online options for working as a Dog Trainer, consider enrolling and getting started.
Working with dogs and learning how they behave, react, and have fun in the world is one of the most beloved and entertaining careers you can have, so have a good time and enjoy your new role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to be licensed to be a Dog Trainer?
No, you don’t need a license, however, you need to have certification which you can receive by completing an online program.
How much money could I make as a Dog Trainer?
As a Dog Trainer, you could essentially make anywhere from $60,000 to $75,000 per year depending on where you work.
Those who have their own business can make even more, upwards of $100,000 per year.
What type of career can I have as a Dog Trainer?
There are plenty of careers that may be right up your alley if you want to work with dogs.
Some of these may include service dog trainers, veterinary employees, and professional dog trainers.
What requirements do I need before joining a Dog Training Program?
You typically only need to have a high school diploma to work in a Dog Training Program.
You will likely need to be at least 18 years old to consider enrolling in one of the online programs.