Guard Dog Trainer Career Info
Guard dog trainers raise and train dogs to bring out their protective instincts. This career can be highly physical, requiring trainers to bend, kneel, lift, and run; it can also require analytical skills, so that trainers can assess how well dogs are responding to training and revise their training methods if needed. Guard dog trainers should also have strong coordination, good judgment, and patience. Animal care and service workers run a greater risk of workplace injury or illness than the average across careers.
Career Requirements
| Degree Level | High school diploma or equivalent is usually required; some postsecondary education may be preferred |
| Degree Field | Animal science, biology, or related field |
| Certification | Voluntary certification is available |
| Experience | Experience with animals can be helpful |
| Key Skills | Instructing, critical thinking, speaking, active learning, active listening, coordination, patience, stamina, judgment, and decision making |
| Salary | $35,722 (median annual salary for general dog trainers as of 2020)* |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*Net Online, *PayScale.com.
Learn to Train Dogs
Though formal education is often not required in this profession, some prospective trainers choose to complete individual courses or a formal training program at the postsecondary level. For example, future trainers might benefit from classes that explore animal behavior and communication, conditioning, or common behavior problems.
Alternatively, aspiring guard dog trainers might pursue an apprenticeship (either volunteer or tuition-based) through a business that specializes in canine behavior. Apprentices typically complete a series of classes, in addition to hands-on experience, that cover dog behavior, training techniques, and behavior evaluation. Some programs also address such topics as agility and aggression.
Test Your Training Skills
Prospective guard dog trainers also might opt to join a dog training club, such as the U.S. Mondioring Association or the Protection Sports Association. These organizations hold competitions for dog/handler teams that involve guard dog skills.
Earn Professional Certification
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers offers two voluntary certifications: the Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) credential for entry-level trainers and the Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge & Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA) credential for advanced trainers. To qualify for the former, a trainer must have at least a high school diploma, meet experience requirements, submit references, and pass a multiple-choice exam. The KSA designation requires a KA credential and passage of a skills-based exam.
Another option is the National Association of Professional Canine Handlers' (NAPCH) Master Trainer certification. This experience-based certification requires at least eight years as a handler working with multiple dogs. Applicants also need proof of continuing education and the written support of other certified NAPCH Master Trainers.
To quickly recap, aspiring dog trainers aren't required to complete any specific postsecondary education, though apprenticeship and other types of programs are available and earning certification in the field can also be beneficial.