If you want to become a dog trainer but have no experience, you can start by learning the basics of dog behavior, following one structured training system, and watching real examples from professional trainers.
The fastest path is choosing a program that teaches both dog training skills and the business skills needed to start working with clients. With the right guidance, most beginners can begin helping dogs and earning income in just a few months.
In this guide, you’ll learn the exact steps to take if you want to become a professional dog trainer, and without a formal background.
👉 Click here to watch Doggy Dan’s free Dog Trainer Academy workshop
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How to Become a Dog Trainer for Beginners
Here are the three most important steps to learn how to become a dog trainer, get certified and actually start earning money as a professional dog trainer:
Step 1: Learn the Basics of Dog Behavior and Effective Training Methods
If you’re figuring out how to become a certified dog trainer with no experience, the best place to start is by understanding how dogs think and learn. Before you begin training dogs for clients, you need a solid foundation in behavior, communication, and positive (yet effective) training methods.
Many beginners turn to random YouTube videos or outdated advice online, but this often leads to confusion and inconsistent results. Starting with one structured, reliable training system helps you build real confidence and prevents mistakes early on.
Today, one of the fastest ways to learn how to become a dog trainer is online, through a guided program that teaches dog psychology step-by-step. When you understand why dogs behave the way they do, training becomes much easier, and you’re able to help dogs with issues like reactivity, anxiety, jumping, pulling, barking, and more.
Step 2: Get Hands-On Guidance Through Real Cases and Structured Lessons
The next step in learning how to become a dog trainer is practicing real-world skills. You don’t have to train dozens of dogs before you start offering services, but you do need to see how an experienced trainer works through common problems. The challenge is that most beginners don’t have access to mentorship or opportunities to observe professionals in action.
This is where online trainer certification programs can be extremely helpful. High-quality programs take you behind the scenes with real client sessions so you can watch exactly how professional trainers assess behavior, communicate with owners, and implement training sessions. Seeing this process firsthand gives you the practical confidence most new trainers are missing.
Step 3: Build Your Training Skills While Learning How to Start a Dog Training Business
Becoming a professional dog trainer and being good at helping dogs and their owners is only half the job. The other half is learning how to turn your training skills into a real business. You need to know how to attract clients, set your prices, structure your services, and communicate clearly with dog owners.
Unfortunately, most dog training courses skip the business side entirely, leaving new trainers unsure of how to actually get paying clients. Choosing a program that includes business training, marketing guidance, templates, and support can make the difference between struggling to find work or launching confidently with a steady flow of clients. With the right foundation, many new trainers begin earning part-time income within a few months.
My Top Recommendation for Beginners: Doggy Dan’s Dog Trainer Academy
If you want the quickest and most complete path to become a certified dog trainer from home, I strongly recommend watching a free workshop from Professional Dog Trainer and Behavioral Specialist, Doggy Dan. I’ve been promoting his dog training programs for more than 10 years because his methods are kind, effective, and easy for beginners to follow.
You can read about Doggy Dan and his experience and credentials in my post, Who is Doggy Dan?
Doggy Dan’s dog trainer certification program teaches both the dog training skills and the business skills needed to get started. Check out this free workshop where you get to meet Doggy Dan and watch as he explains every aspect of his training program and how you can become a professional dog trainer, even if you don’t have any experience.
FAQ: Becoming a Dog Trainer with No Experience
Can I really become a dog trainer without any prior experience? Yes. Many successful trainers start with zero experience. With structured lessons and guidance, you can learn dog behavior, build confidence, and begin helping clients sooner than you think.
Do I need a certification to train dogs professionally? No formal license is required in the United States, but a recognized certification program helps you learn correctly, attract clients, and establish credibility. Certification also gives you a structured path to follow so you’re not guessing your way through training.
Can I start a dog training business from home? Yes. Many trainers start with in-home consultations or virtual sessions. With basic business training and a steady plan for attracting clients, it’s realistic to run a flexible, home-based dog training business.
Looking for Something More Advanced?
For those who want a more structured, professional, more college-like education, I also recommend reading my Western States K9 College review, which explains a mentorship-based online program designed for serious future dog trainers.
For More Information on Becoming a Dog Trainer
- Doggy Dan’s Dog Trainer Academy Review
- Is Doggy Dan’s Dog Trainer Academy Worth It for Beginners?
- How to Become a Dog Trainer with No Experience
- Western States K9 College Review
- Is Dog Training a Good Side Hustle?
- Is Dog Training a Good Career?
- How Much Do Dog Trainers Really Make?
- Do You Need Certification to Be a Dog Trainer?
You Can Do It!
You don’t need prior experience, a degree, or years of volunteering to become a dog trainer. With the right structured lessons, real examples, and guidance on how to build a business, you can begin helping dogs and earning income far sooner than most people think.
Whether you want a part-time side hustle or a full-time career working with dogs, the steps above will help you get started the right way, and in my opinion, Doggy Dan is the best person to help you get started! Debra
👉 Check out my full review of the entire program here.
The American Kennel Club (AKC)
You might also like to check out an article from the AKC, How to Become a Dog Trainer: Everything You Need to Know. In that article, they cover:
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- Training Your Own Dog
- Apprenticing with Other Dogs
- Training Owners to Train Their Dog
- Education Yourself
- Becoming a Certified Dog Trainer
