Animal Trainers

Animal trainers train animals to perform work, entertain, or serve as companions.

Animal trainers prepare animals to perform a variety of tasks. For example, they may teach dogs to guard property, search for drugs, or lead blind people.

Animal Trainers are in the Hospitality and Tourism career cluster and the Recreation, Amusements and Attractions pathway.

Quick Facts

Source: Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and CareerOneStop.

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The type of animal trained and the trainer's level of experience also affect wages.

Animal trainers who work full time generally receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Animal trainers who are self-employed must provide their own insurance.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

• Animal Trainers

 

Employment

In Minnesota, about 650 animal trainers work in this small occupation.

About 51 percent of animal trainers are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Dog kennels
• Guide dog schools
• Horse boarding stables

Outlook

Training animals takes time and money. Because of the high cost, police departments and other groups that need trained animals can buy only a small number of animals each year. Unless funding for these agencies is increased, it is unlikely that they will significantly increase the number of animals they purchase.

Most of the growth in this occupation will come from the demand by pet owners. The number of cats and dogs that people own is increasing every year. As more of these pets live indoors or with other pets, the likelihood of behavior problems increases. Trainers will be hired to solve these problems.

Job openings for trainers may vary from year to year because the strength of the economy affects demand for these workers. Pet owners tend to spend more on animal services when the economy is strong. They tend to spend less when the economy is weak.

Employment Outlook for Animal Trainers

	Employment		Employment Change
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
U S	45,800	47,300	1,500	3.3%
Minnesota	404	463	59	14.6%
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	199	242	43	21.6%

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.

On the Job

Overview

Animal trainers train animals to perform work, entertain, or serve as companions.


People often think only dogs can learn tricks. (Well, young dogs can learn tricks - the old ones don't want to bother.) Yet did you know that cats are highly trainable too? In fact, some people have successfully toilet-trained their cats! Yes, you read this right. Some cats use the toilet instead of the litter box. While they cannot flush, this sure beats scooping litter.Animal trainers prepare animals to perform a variety of tasks. For example, they may teach dogs to guard property, search for drugs, or lead blind people. They may train horses for show, racing, or working. In addition, trainers may teach animals to provide entertainment. They may train dolphins to find and retrieve objects. They may teach other animals to sit, stand, beg, or perform other tricks on cue. Trainers usually specialize in one type of animal and one type of training program. They may also organize animal shows.

Regardless of the type of animal they train or the purpose of the training, animal trainers do many of the same tasks. First they must find animals to teach. Trainers may breed their own animals, but they often buy animals or adopt them from animal shelters. Before choosing animals, trainers evaluate them to determine whether they are trainable. Some trainers do not need to choose animals because they are hired to teach specific animals.

Trainers begin by getting animals used to human voice and contact. Most training involves getting the animals to respond to hand, voice, and physical commands. Trainers may teach animals by approximation. This means they reward the animals for behaviors that are similar to what the trainer wants the animal to do. The animals will make these behaviors more often because they were rewarded. By being more demanding in what animals must do to get rewards, trainers are able to shape their behavior. Training is a slow process and trainers must be patient.

Trainers must know the psychology of the animals they train. For example, dogs are pack animals and obey the leader of the pack. Thus, a dog trainer must know how to convince dogs that the trainer is the leader. Interacting properly with animals is an important part of training. Once animals are trained, trainers may also need to teach the animals' owners. Thus, they may train a horse and its rider or a dog and its human handler.

Training animals is only part of a trainer's tasks. They must also care for animals. They examine animals to make sure they are healthy. Trainers may perform basic health care tasks themselves, but usually call a veterinarian when animals are seriously ill. Trainers who keep animals while they are being trained must also feed the animals, exercise them, give them medicine, and clean their kennels, stables, or other living areas. They keep records of diet, health, and behavior. Trainers who have large facilities may have animal caretakers who do animal maintenance tasks. Trainers may hire, train, and supervise these workers.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Evaluate animals to determine ability and aptitude for training.
• Train animals to obey commands, compete in shows, or to perform tricks.
• Train dogs to guard property, locate missing persons, or detect drugs.
• Train guide dogs to assist blind people. Teach blind people to handle guide dogs.
• Train horses for riding, show, work, or racing.
• Teach animal owners to care for, ride, handle, or maintain animals' skills.
• Treat minor injuries and ailments. Call veterinarian to treat animals with serious illnesses or injuries.
• Examine animals to detect symptoms of illness or injury. May give medication.
• Feed, exercise, and give general care to animals.
• Clean pens, kennels, stalls, cages, and yards.
• Supervise animal caretakers.
• Cue or signal animals during performances.
• Keep records of animals' diet, health, and behavior.
• May organize animal shows.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Perform activities that use the whole body.
• Handle and move objects.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Think creatively.
• Update and use job-related knowledge.
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Establish and maintain relationships.
• Teach others.
• Develop goals and strategies.
• Identify objects, actions, and events.
• Schedule work and activities.
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, and subordinates.
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials.
• Work with the public.
• Communicate with people from outside the organization.
• Assist and care for others.
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work.
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings.
• Coach others.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Are responsible for the health and safety of their animals.
• Communicate with others by phone and in person on a weekly basis. They speak with people face-to-face more often.
• Have a medium level of social interaction. Trainers spend time teaching animal owners, but they also spend time alone with the animals.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others.
• May sometimes work as a team.

Physical Work Conditions

• Work outside the majority of the time, but spend time indoors as well. They work in arenas, barns, kennels, and customers' homes. They also work outdoors at racetracks or in corrals.
• Are occasionally exposed to hazardous situations with the animals they train. Animals can be unpredictable. They may bite, kick, scratch, or throw trainers.
• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants, such as animal waste.
• Are occasionally exposed to hot or cold temperatures, such as when working outside.
• May be exposed to sounds and noises that are loud and distracting, such as barking or braying.
• May travel with animals in a truck or van.
• Work close to others, such as when sharing the same space with other trainers.

Work Performance

• Must be sure that all details of the job are performed to ensure the safety of animals and those who work with them.
• Make decisions that impact pet and animal owners on a weekly basis.
• Rarely consult anyone before deciding a course of action.
• Set nearly all their daily tasks and goals for the day without consulting a supervisor first.

Hours/Travel

• Do not have a set schedule. The type of animal, performance schedule, and travel requirements all affect schedules.
• Frequently travel. Trainers of guide dogs must travel to owners' homes for the final month or so of training. Trainers of circus animals, race horses, and show animals also travel.
• May work long hours during the show season, from mid-spring to mid-autumn, if working as a show animal trainer.
• May work long hours training animals for TV or movies. The trainer's day begins before shooting and ends after shooting is finished.

Physical Demands

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

People in this career frequently:

• Stand, kneel, stoop, and crouch when working with animals.
• Walk or run.
• Use hands to handle, control, or feel the animals they work with.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Bend or twist the body.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• Speak clearly so animals and owners can understand.
• See details of objects whether they are nearby or far away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Use fingers or hands to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• Determine the distance between objects.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• See objects in very low light.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Education & Training

Preparation

To work as an animal trainer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or GED; and
• complete moderate-term on-the-job training.

Education after high school

There are no formal education requirements beyond high school for most animal trainers. However, trainers who work in zoos or aquariums usually have a bachelor's degree. Their degrees often are in marine biology or animal management. These programs include courses in animal science and psychology.

Work experience

Work experience as an animal caretaker is helpful. Similarly, volunteering at an animal hospital or clinic is also valuable.

On-the-job training

Almost all animal trainers receive informal, on-the-job training from an experienced worker. On the job, you learn to:

• feed and water animals;
• identify animals that can be trained easily;
• make friends with animals; and
• train animals.

Training generally lasts up to a year.

Related Programs (Current training programs available)

• Equestrian/Equine Studies

Fields of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)

Click on any of the Fields of Study listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.

• Animal Grooming
• Animal Training
• Equestrian Studies
• Marine Biology
• Veterinary Technology

Helpful High School Courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this occupation include:

• Animal Science
• Food and Nutrition
• Psychology

Many animal trainers are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Skills

People in this career need to:

Communicate

• Express ideas clearly when speaking or writing.
• Listen to others, understand, and ask questions.
• Read and understand written information.

Reason and Problem Solve

• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Understand animals by studying and working with them.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Identify problems and review information. Develop, review, and apply solutions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Develop rules or follow guidelines for arranging items.
• Think of new ideas or original and creative ways to solve problems.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.

Use Math and Science

• Use math skills to solve problems.

Manage Oneself, People, Time and Things

• Check how well the animal or the animal handler is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Decide how to spend money to get the work done and keep track of how the money was used.

Work with People

• Use several methods to teach others how to do something.
• Be aware of others' reactions and change behavior in relation to them.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.

Work with Things

• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
• Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Knowledge

People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:

• Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of providing special services to customers based on their needs.
• Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of advertising and selling products and services.
• English Language: Knowledge of the meaning, spelling, and use of the English language.

Interests

People in this career are people who tend to:

• Consider independence important. They like to make decisions and try out ideas on their own. They prefer jobs where they can plan their work with little supervision.
• Consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Consider achievement important. They like to see the results of their work and to use their strongest abilities. They like to get a feeling of accomplishment from their work.
• Have realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like to work with plants, animals, and physical materials such as wood, tools, and machinery. They often prefer to work outside.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Licensing / Certification

Certification Details

Certifications are examinations that test or enhance your knowledge, experience or skills in an occupation or profession.

There are 6 certifications related to this career.

Licensing Details

No State of Minnesota license requirements are found for this career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and CareerOneStop.

Jobs

Find Jobs

ISEEK works in partnership with MinnesotaWorks to promote thousands of available jobs in Minnesota. Internship, apprenticeship, and volunteer opportunities are also posted here. Make sure you visit often as new jobs are posted daily.

Hiring Practices

Employers look for applicants who have experience working with animals. They also look for education or training beyond high school. Zoos and aquariums often require applicants to have a bachelor's degree in a related field.

Strong communication skills and a calm, patient manner are important. This is because many trainers also work with people as well as with animals.

Advancement Opportunities

For animal trainers, advancement often is in the form of training more animals. Racehorse trainers may advance to training more valuable animals. Animal trainers in zoos may advance to working with more difficult animals.

Animal trainers who have good people skills may become supervisors. Some may open their own businesses. While not required, they may need to take business classes.

Job Title Examples

Agility Instructor,  Cutting Horse Trainer,  Dog Trainer,  Guide Dog Mobility Instructor,  Guide Dog Trainer,  Licensed Guide Dog Instructor,  Dog and Cat Behavior Specialist,  Guide Dog Instructor,  Horse Trainer 

Similar Careers

Below are careers similar to Animal Trainers you may be interested in reading about. If you are looking to broaden your job search, these careers require similar skills. Click on the names to link to their career profile.

Animal Breeders
Animal Caretakers
Animal Control Workers
Dietetic Technicians
Residential Counselors
Teacher Aides

Related Industries

Below are industries related to Animal Trainers you may be interested in reading about. Employers in these industries typically hire Animal Trainers. Click on the names to link to their industry profile.

Agriculture
Amusement And Recreation Services
Department Stores And Other Retailers
Museums, Zoos, And Gardens
Performing Arts And Sporting Events

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.