Some pet owners may train their own animals, but many prefer to turn to an experienced trainer to do the job.  Virtually all larger larger and rarer animals are trained by professionals.  There is a growing demand for skilled experienced Animal Trainers.

Although many Animal Trainers work privately, others work in a variety of public areas such as circuses, aquariums, zoos, game parks.  Trainers work with animals of all types, not just teaching behaviors, but also tending to the animals’ day to day care, medical treatment, and exercise.  Taking part in all aspects of an animals life helps create an understanding and a bond which makes training more effective.

Animal trainers teach general obedience, as well as training animals to provide specific services such as guide dogs, police dogs, watch dogs, search and rescue dogs, and cadaver dogs.  Small monkeys are also trained as service animals for the disabled and those with specific needs and conditions.  Some trainers prepare animals to perform for the public in circuses, and aquariums.

If you love animals and think animal training may be the career for you, understand that trainers need a personality conducive to working with animals.  The training of any animal is a repetitious process and may take many months.  Patience is essential.  Animal Trainers must also be sensitive, observant, creative, assertive, kind, compassionate, and able to create and maintain a relationship with their pupils.  They must always consider the animals physical and mental well-being.  Animals respond best when they respect their trainer and take pleasure in pleasing him/her.  Cruelty, violence, and unkindness must never be practiced when dealing with animals.

Animals have varying personalities, but when they are tired, hurt, ill, stressed, fearful, or confused, it is understandable that they may respond by biting, scratching, kicking, or trampling.  This is all part of the job, but skilled experienced trainers learn to understand animal behavior and watch for any signs of impending problems.

If you want a career as an Animal Trainer, start to prepare early and get all the practical experience you can.  Begin by volunteering at an animal shelter or the ASPCA.  Watch animal behavior and learn to understand how and why animals respond to situations and stimulus as they do.  See if you can get a job with a trainer or in a training facility, as a paid employee or as a volunteer.

While you are in high school, study English, sciences, and computers.  The better educated you are the more easily you will adjust to new situations.  You might want to consider spending a summer working on a farm.  College courses in animal husbandry, marine biology, science, or any related field would be a decided asset.  For trainers of marine animals, you need to be a strong swimmer, have your degree in marine biology as well as your scuba diving certification.

To be an effective Animal Trainer, you must have formal training in the field.  Speak to your local veterinarian, the SPCA, and any relevant organization in your area to find out where they consider the best training is available.  Some trainers start off working with an experienced trainer.  Whatever training you choose, make sure that on completion of the course you will be qualified for certification.  Although certification is not essential, it is a concrete testament of you level of skill and experience when you are looking for employment.  Experienced Animal Trainers advance to become supervisors, game farm and zoo managers and to working independently in their own animal training business.