Careers · Explore one path
Animal Trainers
Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities. Accustom animals to human voice and contact, and condition animals to respond to commands. Train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.
Other titles employers use
Agility Instructor · Dog Obedience Instructor · Dog Trainer · Guide Dog Instructor · Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI) · Guide Dog Trainer · Horse Trainer · Racehorse Trainer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Cue or signal animals during performances.
- Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
- Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
- Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas.
- Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care.
- Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and helping work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Instructing
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
Subjects to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Psychology
- Administration and Management
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Speech Clarity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.5 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 4.3 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.5 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.1 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 67%
- A certificate or some college 24%
- A two-year degree 7%
- A four-year degree 2%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Project management software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Medical software
- Web page creation and editing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 7,000
- Job openings each year
- 1,010
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 22.8%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 7,000 | 1,010 | 22.8% |
| Florida | 4,140 | 600 | 26.6% |
| Texas | 3,530 | 510 | 30.7% |
| New York | 2,420 | 20 | 8.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,270 | 330 | 18.8% |
| South Carolina | 2,190 | 320 | 21.7% |
| Michigan | 2,140 | 300 | 13.2% |
| North Carolina | 2,060 | 300 | 25.6% |
| Connecticut | 1,840 | 270 | 28.7% |
| Illinois | 1,670 | 240 | 11.3% |
| Wisconsin | 1,610 | 240 | 36.4% |
| Arizona | 1,550 | 220 | 21.1% |
| Georgia | 1,480 | 210 | 20.3% |
| Indiana | 1,380 | 200 | 14.0% |
| New Jersey | 1,310 | 190 | 21.3% |
| Arkansas | 1,290 | 180 | 17.3% |
| Kentucky | 1,270 | 180 | 14.4% |
| Maryland | 1,260 | 180 | 21.2% |
| Tennessee | 1,150 | 170 | 17.3% |
| Ohio | 1,130 | 160 | 11.9% |
| Missouri | 1,020 | 150 | 18.6% |
| Virginia | 870 | 120 | 20.8% |
| Minnesota | 820 | 120 | 17.1% |
| Oregon | 820 | 120 | 18.8% |
| Colorado | 810 | 120 | 22.7% |
| Washington | 790 | 140 | 33.9% |
| Iowa | 660 | 90 | 15.8% |
| Kansas | 620 | 90 | 17.0% |
| Oklahoma | 610 | 90 | 17.3% |
| Alabama | 560 | 80 | 21.7% |
| Louisiana | 510 | 70 | 18.6% |
| New Mexico | 460 | 70 | 27.8% |
| Nebraska | 450 | 70 | 18.4% |
| Utah | 400 | 60 | 42.9% |
| District of Columbia | 370 | 60 | 60.9% |
| Massachusetts | 360 | 50 | 24.1% |
| Maine | 340 | 50 | 9.7% |
| New Hampshire | 290 | 40 | 20.8% |
| Delaware | 280 | 40 | 16.7% |
| Montana | 280 | 40 | 27.3% |
| Mississippi | 260 | 40 | 23.8% |
| Idaho | 250 | 40 | 19.0% |
| Puerto Rico | 210 | 30 | 16.7% |
| South Dakota | 150 | 20 | 7.1% |
| North Dakota | 140 | 20 | 16.7% |
| West Virginia | 120 | 20 | 20.0% |
| Rhode Island | 110 | 20 | 10.0% |
| Vermont | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
- Degrees each year
- 73
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
West Texas A & M University
- Degrees each year
- 11
- Admit rate
- 97%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
- Degrees each year
- 9
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $28,000
Savannah College of Art and Design
- Degrees each year
- 8
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $49,000
North Dakota State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 8
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
Texas A & M University-Commerce
- Degrees each year
- 4
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
Compare every college offering agricultural and domestic animal services