When you think about it, dog trainers are some of the most important people in society. After all, dogs make our lives better in so many ways, and we rely on trainers to help us create a strong relationship with our furry friends. But how much money do dog trainers make?
That’s what we’re going to discuss in this article! We’ll also take a look at 10 ways trainers can make more money for their businesses (we’re talking $100,000+ per year).
So, whether you’re just starting out as a trainer or you’re looking for ways to increase your income, this article is for you!
Dream of being a dog trainer, but have no experience – and no idea how to get started? Learn how to become a dog trainer in 5 easy steps!
Is Dog Training Lucrative?
The short answer is: yes, dog training can be quite lucrative! In fact, the average dog trainer makes around $50,000 per year. (We’ll delve deeper into average salary ranges shortly!)
Can You Make a Living Off of Dog Training?
Keep in mind, though, that there are trainers who make significantly more than that. For example, some trainers make $100,000 or more annually!
Of course, how much money you make as a trainer depends on a number of factors, such as your experience level, the location of your business, and the services you offer.
For example, trainers who work in urban areas typically make more money than those who work in rural areas. This is because there are simply more dog owners in cities, which means there’s a larger potential customer base.
Similarly, trainers who offer a wide range of services (e.g. obedience training, behavioral modification, agility training, etc.) tend to make more money than those who only offer one or two services. This is because they can appeal to a wider range of customers and charge more for their services.
So, if you’re looking to make a lot of money as a trainer, it’s important to consider these factors!
Who Is The Highest Paid Dog Trainer?
Next, let’s take a look at some of the highest-paid dog trainers in the world.
Topping our list is Cesar Millan, who is best known for his show The Dog Whisperer. Cesar has an estimated net worth of $25 million. Of course, this means he’s making a pretty penny from his dog training business!
Other high-earning trainers include Victoria Stilwell (best known for her show It’s Me or the Dog) and Ian Dunbar (a well-known veterinarian and animal behaviorist). These trainers are estimated to be worth around $12 million and $13 million, respectively.
So, as you can see, it is possible to make a LOT of money as a dog trainer!
Where Do Dog Trainers Get Paid The Most?
Now that we’ve looked at some of the highest-paid trainers in the world, let’s take a look at where dog trainers get paid the most.
Based on Location
Generally speaking, dog trainers in the United States make the most money. In fact, the average salary for a trainer in the US is approx. $50,000 per year. More broadly, the typical salary range for trainers in the US is anywhere between $10,500 to $220,000 annually.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that this number can vary based on location. For example, trainers in larger cities like New York City and San Francisco typically make more than trainers in other parts of the country. This is because the cost of living is higher in these cities, and there are simply more dog owners (which means more potential customers).
According to Comparably, dog trainers actually make the most money in San Francisco. With an average annual salary of $64,715, dog trainers in this area earn approx. 49% greater than the United States average.
On the other hand, trainers in rural areas typically make less than trainers in urban areas. This is because there are fewer dog owners in rural areas. As a result, there’s a smaller potential customer base.
So, when it comes to location, it’s important to consider the cost of living and the number of potential customers. These factors will play a big role in how much money you can make.
Based on Dog Training Services Offered
Another factor that can affect your earnings is the type of services you offer. For example, trainers who only offer obedience training typically make less than those who offer a wide range of services. This is because they can appeal to a wider range of customers and charge more for their services.
Similarly, trainers who offer behavioral modification services tend to make more than those who don’t. This is because behavioral modification can be a very time-consuming and difficult process. So, trainers who offer this service can charge a premium for their services.
Therefore, when it comes to the services you offer, it’s important to consider the demand for your services and the difficulty of the training. These factors will play a big role in how much money you can make.
How Much Money Do Dog Trainers Make? (The Answer!)
Now that we’ve looked at some of the highest-paid trainers in the world, let’s take a more detailed look at average salaries per country. Since we’ve already covered the United States, we’ll focus on different countries in this section.
How Much Do Dog Trainers Earn in Canada?
As of July, 2022, Glassdoor reports that the average income for a dog trainer living in Canada is approx. $48,356 per year. That said, the salary range – based on Glassdoor’s findings – starts at $33,000 annually and goes as high as $72,000 annually.
It’s also worth noting that, according to SalaryExpert, a 10% salary increase is projected over the next 5 years. By 2027, it’s purported that the average salary for dog trainers in Canada will rise to approx. $69,798 per year!
However, it’s important to keep in mind (again) that this number can vary based on location. For example, trainers in larger cities like Toronto and Vancouver typically make more than trainers in other parts of the country. This is because the cost of living is higher in these cities, and there are simply more dog owners.
And, of course, this means more potential customers.
How Much Do Dog Trainers Earn in The United Kingdom?
Now, let’s take a look at how much dog trainers make in the United Kingdom.
According to Payscale, the average salary for a dog trainer living in the UK is approx. £24,955 per year. That said, the salary range – based on Payscale’s findings – is between £20,000 and £26,000 annually.
It’s also worth noting that the average salary range for dog trainers in London is higher than the national average. In fact, it’s reported that dog trainers in this city can make as much as £34,000 per year!
However, as with most things, your earnings will depend on a variety of factors – including your location, experience, and the services you offer.
How Much Do Dog Trainers Earn in New Zealand?
Next, let’s take a look at how much dog trainers make in New Zealand.
According to SalaryExpert, the average salary for a dog trainer living in New Zealand is approx. $45,697 NZD per year. That said, the salary range – based on SalaryExpert’s findings – starts at approx. $44,095 NZD annually and goes up to $54,716 NZD annually.
As with most countries, the average salary for dog trainers in New Zealand will vary based on your location. For example, trainers in Auckland typically make more than those in other parts of the country. This is because the cost of living is higher in this city, and there are simply more dog owners.
Therefore, when it comes to earnings, it’s important to keep in mind that a variety of factors – including your location, experience, and the services you offer – will play a role in the amount of money you make.
How Much Do Dog Trainers Earn in Australia?
Finally, let’s take a look at how much dog trainers make in Australia.
According to Payscale, the average salary for a dog trainer living in Australia is approx. $52,381 AUD per year. That said, Seek reports that the typical salary range is anywhere from approx. $45,000 AUD and $70,000 AUD annually.
However, as we keep mentioning, it’s important to keep in mind that the average salary for dog trainers in Australia will vary based on your location. For example, trainers in Sydney typically make more than those in other parts of the country. After all, the cost of living is higher in this city – and there will also be a larger client base for you to reach.
As such, it’s important to keep in mind that a variety of factors – including your location, experience, and the services you offer – will play a role in the kind of salary you ultimately make.
10 Ways To Increase Your Dog Trainer Salary
Do you want to make a six-figure salary as a dog trainer?
Now that we’ve answered the question, “How much money do dog trainers make?”, it’s time to take a look at how you can make MORE money as a trainer. With the help of these tips, there’s no reason why you can’t eventually rake in $100,000+ per year for your business!
1. Get Professionally Certified As a Dog Trainer
One of the best ways to make more money as a dog trainer is to get professionally certified. This will show potential clients that you’re serious about your career – and that you have the skills and knowledge to back up your claims. Additionally, once you’re certified, you can add this credential to your marketing materials – which will help you attract higher-paying clients.
There are a few different certification programs available, so be sure to do your research before enrolling in one. The Dog Training Course offered by QC Pet Studies, for example, is a great option for those who want to get certified at their own pace, right from the comfort of their own home. Plus, with QC’s competitive tuition rates and flexible monthly payment plan, you won’t have to go broke while you achieve your dream job!
Become an International Dog Grooming Professional™ (IDGP™) in as little as 3 months by enrolling in QC’s Dog Training Course today!
2. Offer Private Lessons
This is one of the most common – and effective – ways to increase your earnings as a dog trainer. After all, when you offer private lessons, you’re able to work one-on-one with your clients. In turn, this allows you to charge a higher rate.
Additionally, private lessons are often more convenient for clients – as they can be scheduled at a time that works for both parties. This is opposed to group classes, which typically have set days and times that can’t be changed.
So, if you’re looking for a way to make more money as a dog trainer, consider offering private lessons in addition to (or instead of) group classes.
Not sure how to get started? The Dog Training Nation offers 5 key tips to help prepare you for teaching private dog training lessons.
3. Market Yourself on Social Media
Social media is a great way to market your dog training business – and it’s completely free!
Be sure to set up accounts on all of the major platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc.), and post regularly. Share photos and videos of you working with dogs, write blog posts about topics related to dog training, and run social media ads targeting pet owners in your area.
Not only will this help you attract new clients, but it’ll also allow you to build relationships with potential customers. And when people know, like, and trust you, they’re more likely to do business with you… Which means more money in your pocket!
For more tips on how to market your dog training business on social media, be sure to check out this blog post from Hootsuite.
4. Prioritize SEO
If you want people to find your dog training business online, you need to make sure your website is optimized for search engines. This process is called “SEO” (search engine optimization), and it essentially involves using certain techniques to make your site more visible in search results.
Some common SEO strategies include:
- Using relevant keywords throughout your website
- Creating keyword-rich titles and descriptions
- Optimizing your images with keywords
- Building backlinks to your website
While SEO can be a bit of a complex topic, once you get the hang of it, it’s actually pretty simple. Plus, it can make a HUGE difference in the amount of traffic (and clients) you get to your website. For more tips on how to optimize your website for SEO, Moz’s Beginner’s Guide has everything you need to know to get started.
5. Offer Value-Added Services
In addition to dog training, you can also offer value-added services to your clients. This could include anything from dog grooming, sitting, and walking – to providing transportation to and from vet appointments.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to value-added services, so get creative!
Think about what your clients need – and what you could offer that would make their lives easier. Then, start offering those services in addition to dog training. Not only will this help you attract new clients; it’ll also give you a chance to earn more money per client.
After all, when you provide additional services, you’re able to charge more for your time. It’s a win-win!
Fun Fact: QC Pet Studies also offers a self-paced, online Dog Grooming certification course!
6. Niche Down
One of the best ways to make more money as a dog trainer is to niche down. When you specialize in a certain area – such as obedience training, behavior modification, or agility training – you’re able to charge a premium for your services.
Think about it: would you rather hire a “general” dog trainer, or one who specializes in the specific type of training you’re looking for?
Chances are, you’d be more inclined to go with the latter. After all, they have more experience (and results) in that particular area. And when it comes to our pets, we’re often willing to pay extra for peace of mind!
So if you want to make more money as a dog trainer, consider specializing in a certain area of training. This will help you attract higher-paying clients, and ultimately, earn more money for your business.
7. Invest in Ad Marketing
Another great way to make more money as a dog trainer is to invest in ad marketing. This could include anything from running Facebook and/or Google ads, to sponsoring a local dog-related event.
The key is to get your name (and business) in front of as many potential clients as possible. And the best way to do that is by investing in some form of advertising.
Now, you don’t need to spend a fortune on marketing – but it is important to put some money into promoting your business. After all, if people don’t know about your business, they can’t hire you!
For more tips on how to market your dog training business, Scorpion offers a Beginner’s Guide To Advertising. It’s packed with helpful information on everything from social media marketing on major platforms and SO much more.
8. Offer Client Incentives
Another great way to make more money as a dog trainer is to offer client incentives. This could include anything from referral bonuses (e.g. $50 off your next session for every new client you refer) to discounts for pre-paying for a certain number of sessions upfront.
The key is to come up with an incentive that’s valuable enough to encourage your clients to take action – but not so valuable that it eats into your profits.
For example, offering a discount for pre-paying for 12 sessions upfront is a great way to encourage clients to commit to training – while still making a profit. On the other hand, offering a free session for every referral might not be as profitable… But it could help you attract new clients.
It’s all about finding the right balance. So, experiment with different incentives, and see what works best for your business!
9. Get Creative With Your Pricing
Another business-savvy way to make more money as a dog trainer is to get creative with your pricing. This could include anything from charging by the session, to offering package deals, to setting up a subscription-based service.
The key is to find a pricing model that works for you – and your clients.
For example, if you’re just starting out, it might be helpful to charge by the session. This way, you can gradually increase your prices as your business grows. On the other hand, if you’re looking to attract high-paying clients, it might be helpful to offer package deals or subscriptions.
This way, they know exactly how much they’ll be paying upfront – and they’ll be more likely to commit to your services long-term.
No matter what, it’s important to be flexible with your pricing. After all, the goal is to make more money – not less!
Pro Tip: Need help setting your rates as a dog trainer? These 6 tips will help you get the ball rolling and point you in the right direction!
10. Regularly Review Your Expenses
Finally, one of the best ways to make more money as a dog trainer is to review your expenses on a regular basis. This includes everything from your advertising budget to the cost of your supplies. The key is to find areas where you can cut back – without sacrificing the quality of your services.
For example, if you’re spending a lot on advertising, see if there are any cheaper (but still effective) alternatives that you can use. Or, if you’re using high-end supplies, see if there are any cheaper options that would work just as well.
Remember: the goal is to save money – not spend it! So, be sure to review your expenses on a regular basis, and make adjustments as necessary.
If you’re not all that good with numbers, don’t worry! There are plenty of resources out there that can help you get a handle on your finances. Software such as QuickBooks can also be a big help.
The bottom line is this: if you want to make more money as a dog trainer, it’s important to be smart about your finances. Review your expenses regularly, and make adjustments as needed. This way, you can ensure that your business is as profitable as possible!
Conclusion
There you have it! These are just a few of the many ways that dog trainers can make more money. So, if you’re looking to boost your income and eventually earn $100,000+ in this industry, be sure to put these tips into action.
We hope this article was helpful. If you have any questions or would like to share your own experiences, feel free to leave a comment below. And be sure to check out our blog, Sniffin’ Around, for more great articles on all things dog training!
Thanks for reading!
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