How to Become an Animal Trainer

Published on: February 7, 2024

Dog looking up at human while on a walk.

If you love animals and are interested in a career allowing you to work directly with these furry friends, pursuing a job as a professional animal trainer may be right for you. Of course, to find success in this line of work, you'll need to have an in-depth understanding of such concepts as animal science, obedience and animal behavior.

Is a career as an animal trainer right for you? And, if so, what steps will you need to take in order to become an animal trainer?

Get Your Animal Care and Behavior Degree

What Animal Trainers Do

You might wonder, "What do animal trainers do, exactly?"

The specific roles and responsibilities of an animal trainer can vary greatly depending on the type of animals you work with, your specific role and your level of experience. In general, though, animal trainers are professionals who handle everything from teaching animals commands and obedience to helping them perform special tasks. In some cases, animal trainers may even be responsible for transporting animals from one place to the next.

Animal trainers can work with a wide range of animals, including "house pets" like dogs and cats. However, more specialized animal trainers might work with anything from horses to marine animals. These professional trainers may work in a variety of settings, ranging from a private training facility to a pet owner's home, a zoo or an aquarium. This line of work can be physically demanding, and animal trainers must understand how to work around animals safely to avoid injury.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for animal care and service workers is expected to grow by 16% between 2022 and 2032—much faster than the national average for all occupations.

Skills Needed to Be an Animal Trainer

Animal trainers need a number of soft and hard skills to do their jobs well. This includes a strong understanding of animal science and behavioral traits of the specific type of animal with which they are working. They must understand the physiology of the animal, too, as well as any common illnesses or injuries to watch out for. In addition, animal trainers must have a lot of patience, as the process of conditioning and training an animal can be time-consuming and challenging.

From a physical standpoint, animal trainers need to be in good health—especially when working with larger animals that may have greater physical demands. These professionals may occasionally need to lift heavy items and spend a fair amount of time on their feet.

Even though working with animals is a big part of the job, animal trainers must also have solid communication skills. Often, they need to be in regular contact with pet owners, supervisors and other people to answer questions or discuss an animal's training progress.

Other skills an animal trainer should have include:

Ability to work and collaborate with others
Excellent time management
Reasoning and problem-solving

Animal Trainer Education Requirements

If working as an animal trainer sounds like an interesting path, you might be wondering how to become an animal trainer yourself.

While the exact qualification requirements can vary depending on the exact job you're seeking, most animal trainers don't need more than a high school diploma or equivalent (such as a GED) in order to get started in the field. However, if you decide to pursue work in a more advanced training setting (such as in marine biology or specialty training), then a bachelor's degree in animal science or a similar field may be preferred.

Having a formal education in animal science, marine biology or a related field can equip you with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to better understand the behavior, physiology and other traits of specific animals.

Additional Training and Certification

Aside from the above animal trainer education requirements, you may also want to pursue additional training or certification as you get started in your career as an animal trainer. Hands-on experience is highly valuable in helping you learn the unique nuances of working with different animals. Some aspiring animal trainers may take on volunteer positions and internships while in school to gain real-world experience working with animals. You might consider, for example, volunteering to work at a local animal shelter or participating in an internship at your city zoo.

Depending on the types of animals with which you plan to work, you might also pursue additional certifications to set you apart in your field and gain more specialized knowledge. For instance, if you want to work with dogs, you might consider pursuing certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).

How to Build a Career as an Animal Trainer

Even once you have all the necessary qualifications and certifications to work as an animal trainer, there are some things you can do to build your career and reputation as an experienced animal trainer.

Finding Your First Job

Landing your first role as an animal trainer will launch your career, yet it might not be your "dream job." You may aspire to eventually work with marine animals at a major zoo—but your first paid position might be a little less glamorous. There's nothing wrong with working your way up. Remember that even the most successful animal trainers out there had to start small.

Career Advancement Opportunities

Once you land your first job in the animal training profession, you can start climbing your way up the ladder with career advancement opportunities. Consider, for example, pursuing additional certifications or taking special training classes offered by your employer. Keep an eye out for new openings, and keep your resume updated so you can apply for new positions as they become available.

Why Animal Training Is a Rewarding Career

Working as an animal trainer comes with its share of challenges, but it can also be an extremely rewarding career. Through your work as an animal trainer, you can make a difference in the life of an animal (or many animals) while potentially having an impact on other people as well. For instance, as a dog trainer, you may be able to provide specialized training to a therapy dog. In turn, that therapy dog could enrich and enhance the life of the human they serve.

Ready to Embark on Your Career as an Animal Trainer?

If you're interested in starting your career as an animal trainer and want to set yourself up for success with a formal education, Husson University’s online bachelor's degree in animal care and behavior can be an excellent starting point. This program is offered entirely online for your convenience and can be completed in about three-and-a-half years, with courses covering such topics as animal care and wellness, animal health and nutrition, animal behavior and more.

Get in touch to request more information about this program or any other programs Husson University Online offers. You can also get started with your online application at your convenience!