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Animal Trainer

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AVG. SALARY

$34,110

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EDUCATION

High school (GED) +

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

Animal Trainers Career Video

About This Career

Trains animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities. Accustoms animals to human voice and contact, and conditions animals to respond to commands. Trains animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.

This career is part of the Hospitality and Tourism cluster Recreation, Amusements and Attractions pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Cues or signals animals during performances.
  • Talks to or interacts with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
  • Conducts training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
  • Observes animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care.
  • Feeds or exercises animals or provides other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas.
  • Evaluates animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
  • Administers prescribed medications to animals.
  • Keeps records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
  • Evaluates animals for trainability and ability to perform.
  • Advises animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 20 lbs., sometimes up to 50 lbs. You might do a lot of lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling.
  • Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves walking or running more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Moving the arms, legs and torso together when the whole body is in motion
  • Seeing clearly at a distance
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person
  • Exerting oneself physically over long periods of time without getting out of breath
  • Using abdominal and lower back muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring

Work Hours and Travel

  • Irregular hours
  • Overtime work
  • Weekend work

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Agility Instructor — Directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy.
  • Dog Obedience Instructor
  • Dog Trainer — Teaches skills or behaviors to a dog, from basic obedience training to specialized areas including law enforcement, military, search and rescue, hunting, working with livestock, assistance to people with disabilities, entertainment, or dog sports.
  • Guide Dog Instructor
  • Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI)
  • Guide Dog Trainer — Trainers begin by helping a dog, at about 1 year old, to adjust to the routine of training. Simple walks are given to assess the dog’s abilities and then the proper training begins. Trainers may walk many miles each day preparing the dogs for their future.
  • Horse Trainer
  • Racehorse Trainer
  • Service Dog Trainer
  • Trainer

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

Support


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