Daily work with dogs is one of the best jobs in the world, but great work comes with many challenges.
You will have to deal with dog owners and understand their wishes and needs, and on the other side, you have to deal with dogs and learn non-verbal communication.
But most dog owners want an obedient dog and they will look for dog training classes, so building a dog training career is a wise choice.
Stay with us and find out what you need to become a dog trainer in Minnesota!
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How to Become a Dog Trainer in Minnesota?
To launch your career successfully you will need guidance, as with any start in your life.
But no worries!
We’ve prepared a few steps you can take to ensure you take the right path and succeed in this career!
Step 1: Home education
Your first step should be focused on learning canine behavior which is a true challenge.
Each dog breed and each dog no matter the breed has its own traits.
There are many available books about dog behavior and dog training before you take any classes on dog training or before you even think of certification.
Step 2: Start practicing
You won’t understand dog behavior or training unless you try with your own dog in the beginning.
After you get some basic knowledge practice with other dogs.
You will realize that some things cannot be learned from books or videos.
The more you practice, the better you will become.
Be aware that some employers might require practicing videos of you with a dog in the employment process.
So, even if you don’t want to take some certification or classes, having videos and doing some practice work is very important.
Step 3: Consider education
There are many schools for dog trainers in Minnesota, or at least there are some schools that offer education for dogs only.
You can take your dog in those classes and in the end, you will benefit a lot.
It will be much more difficult because you will practice only with your dog, but it is a great start.
Ensure to participate in seminars, workshops, and classes as much as you can and you will grow a lot.
Step 4: Get employed or consider self-employment
You can choose to either start your own business or start working with other trainers or training schools in your area.
Either way, try to promote your business.
Start recording videos so you can build a good portfolio in case you want to start your own business.
Running your business and being self-employed means finding your path to the market is very challenging.
We encourage you to use social media to promote and publish your successful stories and videos.
Step 5: Create a network
No matter your employment outcome, you should create a network by joining professional organizations.
You can learn some new things from professionals and you will stay up to date with the latest workshops, seminars, or conferences.
Dog Training Schools in Minnesota
Formal education is not needed for you to become a professional dog trainer in Minnesota.
However many clients or potential employers will appreciate it and trust you more if you have proof of some previous education or experience.
Here are a few courses and schools that provide that in Minnesota!
Paws Abilities
Paws Abilities are one of the best in Minnesota when talking about dog training and they offer an amazing opportunity that you shouldn’t miss.
They offer hands-on externship opportunities for aspiring individuals. 
Consider this more like a volunteering opportunity, but don’t raise your expectations too high because they have many applications, so they cannot accept them all.
CATCH Canine Trainers Academy
This academy offers three options for aspiring dog trainers:
- Core Skills Course
- Basics Pro Course
- Master Class Certification, CCDT
Learning core skills will cost you $1,212 and you will earn a diploma.
On the other side, taking the basics pro course will cost you $2,793 and you will become a professional.
If you want to become a pro, we advise you to take master classes where you will get a certification for $5,025 if paid in full.
At the end of the course, expect to learn the core concepts of dog behavior and training.
If you are thinking about building your own business, don’t worry because you will also learn how to launch it.
The best thing is that you can get paired with a local mentor from certain cities in Minnesota.
Dog Trainer Certification School
This school offers plenty of classes about obedience and other specialties, as well as different and unique training techniques.
You can even pick a specialty and focus only on that which will separate you from the crowd on the market. 
You just need to pay a deposit of $200 to ensure the enrollment while the other part is paid later.
The tuition for 6 weeks in person costs $4,900, or you can take the online classes for $3,000.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Paws Abilities | 1200 Lake Shady Ave S, Oronoco, MN 55960 |
| CATCH Canine Trainers Academy | 24 Newark Pompton Turnpike Suite 206 Little Falls, NJ |
| Dog Trainer Certification School in Minnesota | 717 Beaver Hollow Rd., Spencer, IN 47460 |
Salary
The average salary a dog trainer makes in a year in Minnesota is $35,771.
This can range from $32,489 to $39,153 depending on the location, clientele, and experience.
The best-paid dog trainers in Minnesota are in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Minnetonka.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $37,188 |
| St. Paul | $37,188 |
| Duluth | $33,422 |
| Rochester | $34,992 |
| Blooming Prairie | $34,678 |
| Burnsville | $37,083 |
| Eden Prairie | $37,125 |
| Minnetonka | $37,188 |
| Lakeville | $36,957 |
| Moorhead | $32,748 |
Regional Salary in Minnesota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 160 | $43,520 | $20.93 | $69,830 | $26,290 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is being a dog trainer stressful?
Dog training can be stressful and therefore not everyone is suited for it.
That is why you should enter the job fully prepared, so you can handle the day-to-day of the job.
What should you bring to a dog training session in Minnesota?
Typically, you’ll need to bring your dog on a leash, or any specific training tools or equipment that the training school requires.
Do I need formal education as a dog trainer in Minnesota?
No, you do not need a formal education, although it is better to attract employers and potential clients.
Carefully choose the courses, classes, and workshops that you participate in.
How to Become a Dog Trainer by State
