Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor

Career Diploma 5 months

Online Dog Training Courses

If you love dogs, why not pursue a career that allows you to work with them every day? Study how to prepare to become a dog obedience trainer/instructor with Penn Foster's online Dog Obedience Training Program. Our self-paced, mobile-friendly program can be completed in as little as eight months.

Our Dog Obedience Training courses help prepare you to work for a dog obedience training facility, a pet store, or to run your own dog and puppy training classes.
Employment for animal care and service workers is expected to grow by 16% in the next decade.*
Penn Foster offers mobile-friendly courses, engaging content, and more to help you succeed.
Our online programs are flexible enough for you to finish them at a pace that works for you, based on how much time you can dedicate to your coursework each week.

Accredited

Online

Self Paced

Cost of Program

$799

$989 Save $190

$59/month, Start for as low as $20

Enroll Now Request Info

1-800-471-3232 (10AM - 6:30PM ET)

What You Will Learn

The history of dog training and the scientists behind the scenes.
The critical periods of dog development and how they affect behavior.
The differences between classical and operant conditioning and how dog trainers use both techniques.
Common behavior problems and how to build a successful dog training business.

Full Program Goal & Outcomes

Dog Obedience Training Career Outcomes

Animal Care and Service Workers

AVG SALARY*

$29,790/yr

NUMBER OF JOBS*

393,100

JOB GROWTH*

16% (much faster than average)

Our Dog Obedience Training Program is designed with job-readiness in mind. Study the skills you need in order to get started on your career path, or prepare to advance your current career, as a professional dog trainer.

State Licensing Requirements

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in certain fields are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered by your Penn Foster Program. You should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where you plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in your program. See the State Licensing page for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information.

Penn Foster College is not approved or regulated as a school by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Dog Obedience Training Course Curriculum

5 courses
15 exams
1 submitted project
16.5 CEUs

Estimated completion time:

Fast track = 5 months
Average time = 11 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from May 2021 - April 2022, excluding withdrawals.

The Dog Obedience Training Program at Penn Foster includes an introduction to dog training, dog social behavior and communication, unique traits of different breeds, addressing common behavioral problems, and more. Your courses include:

Foundations of Dog Training
Learning, Emotion, and Behavior
Breed Characteristics, Teaching, and Addressing Problems
Building a Successful Dog Training Business

Show Full Curriculum

Dog Obedience Training Student Stories

Penn Foster’s Dog Obedience Trainer Career Diploma is a great first step towards a career in the veterinary industry. This program has helped other graduates find new jobs and pursue a dog training career. Learn more about their experiences and how Penn Foster worked for them.

View Student Success Stories

Nevaeh T.

Penn Foster Graduate, 2023

“It was a fast learning process they help you when you need it and very easy to understand what you have learned.”

Looking for veterinary training for your workers?

Penn Foster currently works with hundreds of leading employers to meet their unique organizational needs.

Learn More

Dog Obedience Training Tuition

Browse tuition and payment options below as you explore whether Penn Foster’s Dog Obedience Training Program is right for you. Choose from one of our customized payment plans below and get started on an affordable pathway to a better career.

Option 1: Pay in full

Cost of Program¹

$799

$989 Save $190

Best price. Best value.
Pay the full cost today
No monthly payments

Enroll Now

Option 2: Monthly Auto Pay Plan

Cost of Program¹

$989

Pay $59 per month
Start for $20 down
All major credit and debit cards accepted

Enroll Now

Option 3: Monthly Mail Pay Plan

cost of program¹

$989

Pay $59 per month
Start for $39 down
Mail your payments

Enroll Now

Need more info or ready to enroll?

Looking for more information on transfer credits, military benefits, or our refund policy? Find this information and more about tuition and enrollment here.

Tuition & Payment Options

We're here to help. Call 1-800-471-3232 (10AM - 6:30PM ET)

Request Info

Our Proven Dog Training Learning Model

Empowering you to reach your goals

Flexible

Start anytime
No exam due dates
Self-paced

Interactive

Digital study guides
Self-check quizzes
Images and videos

Connected

24/7 access to online resources
Learning Resource Center
Dedicated Learner Center

Supportive

Expert faculty
Robust learning resources
Dedicated student services

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Dog Obedience Training FAQs

Can I make a career out of dog training?

It’s entirely possible to make a career out of dog training, whether you start your own training business or work for a pet store or dog training facility. With more and more people considering their furry friends to be close members of the family, their pet’s health and wellness is a priority. For dog owners, ensuring that their dog is trained and doesn’t show bad behavior is a vital part of raising a happy animal.

Are dog trainers in demand?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 16% increase in available jobs in dog training by 2031.* That means there’s no better time than now to start preparing for a career as a dog trainer.

What does being dog trainer involve?

Dog training courses cover essential topics such as how dogs learn, conditioning, how dogs learn, classical and operant conditioning, dealing with common behavior problems, and more. Through understanding the personality and social behavior of these animals, trainers are able to effectively plan out progressive training programs for clients.

Will taking this program help me train my dog?

The program is designed to prepare students to train all manners of dogs, as well as to understand the different veterinary issues, behavioral problems, or training methods that work best with specific breeds. Penn Foster's Online Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor Program can prepare you to train your own dog, though skills learned in the program may not be applicable to training other household pets.

Sources:

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. "Animal Care and Service Workers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed Accessed October 4, 2023.

Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country.

Disclaimers:

¹ Depending on where you live, you may be charged taxes in addition to the total cost of your program.