Animal Trainers
Overview
Animal trainers work with pets and performance animals to teach them specific behaviors and commands for entertainment, competitions, or everyday obedience. They monitor animal health, keep detailed records using digital tracking systems, and design custom training programs based on each animal's personality and abilities. This career combines hands-on animal care with behavioral science, requiring patience, creativity, and strong observation skills. Many trainers work in diverse settings like zoos, movie studios, or private facilities, often collaborating with veterinarians and animal behaviorists.
Did you know?
Animal trainers face significant physical demands and potential injury risks when working with unpredictable animals, requiring comprehensive insurance and safety protocols.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$38,919.57 Avg/yr
Growth
Fast Growing
Top Skill
Instructing
Key Responsibilities
- Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
- Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
- Cue or signal animals during performances.
- Retrain horses to break bad habits, such as kicking, bolting, or resisting bridling or grooming.
- Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
- Train dogs in human assistance or property protection duties.
- Organize or conduct animal shows.
- Train horses or other equines for riding, harness, show, racing, or other work, using knowledge of breed characteristics, training methods, performance standards, and the peculiarities of each animal.
- Advise animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals.
- Use oral, spur, rein, or hand commands to condition horses to carry riders or to pull horse-drawn equipment.
- 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 for trainability and ability to perform.
- Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
- Administer prescribed medications to animals.
Career Considerations
Physical Demands and Safety Risks
Animal trainers face significant physical demands and potential injury risks when working with unpredictable animals, requiring comprehensive insurance and safety protocols.
Certification and Licensing Requirements
Professional animal training often requires specialized certifications that vary by state and animal type, with some positions requiring formal education in animal behavior or related fields.
Income Variability and Job Competition
The field offers highly variable income ranging from minimum wage for entry-level positions to six figures for specialized trainers, with intense competition for premium positions in entertainment and service animal sectors.