Post job

Best dog trainer certifications

Dog trainer certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an dog trainer to employers. However, not all dog trainer certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a dog trainer are Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT), OSHA Safety Certificate , and Pet First Aid.

Below is a list of the best dog trainer certifications. Obtaining an dog trainer certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

6 best certifications for dog trainers

6 best dog trainer certifications

1. Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT)

A trainer who has received the Certified Pet Dog Trainer credential has met eligibility requirements and has successfully demonstrated his or her knowledge by passing the certification exam. To meet eligibility requirements, candidate trainers must have: at least 300 hours experience in dog training within the last five years; a high school diploma or equivalent; and one reference each from a veterinarian, a client, and a professional colleague. The certification testing covers knowledge of dog behavior and application of training techniques.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying website
Certified Pet Dog Trainer
Certifying organization
Certification Council For Pet...
Course that help you to prepare for certification
Dog Training - Become A Dog Trainer - Dog Training Career
udemy
4.5
(900)

2. OSHA Safety Certificate

This 40-hour program covers both the Construction 1926 and General Industry 1910 Standards, how to effectively interpret the Federal Register, health issues related to a work environment, recognition of physical hazards related to the violation of OSHA standards, and employer implementation of their own pro-active safety and health procedures.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? No
  • Renewal required? No
Certifying website
OSHA Safety Certificate
Course that help you to prepare for certification
OSHA Safety Pro: Trenching Excavation & Soil Mechanics
udemy
4.3
(727)

3. Pet First Aid

Pet First Aid is a handy reference guide for cat and dog emergencies. Created by the American Red Cross, Pet First Aid provides assistance to people whose pets are ill or injured. Select chapters also offer a pet first aid course.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? No
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying website
Pet First Aid
Course that help you to prepare for certification
First Aid for Pets
udemy
4.1
(149)

4. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

PTCB's pharmacy technician certification program enables technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. Certification is achieved by meeting specific eligibility requirements and earning a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The PTCB certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
Course that help you to prepare for certification
Become a Pharmacy Technician
udemy
4.7
(2,374)

5. Certified Personal Trainer

The purpose of The Cooper Institute Personal Trainer (CI-PTr) Certification Examination is to provide assurance of mastery and application of knowledge and skills directly related to the performance of the job entitled `Personal Trainer' through a defensible, reliable, valid and rigorous process. The successful completion of the CI-PTr Certification Examination results in credentialing to ensure certificants' professional knowledge, skills and tools to provide sound fitness and health programming to their clients, provide assurance to clients and employers, protect the public, and advance the profession.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying website
Certified Personal Trainer
Certifying organization
Cooper Institute for Aerobics...

6. Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT)

The technician certification designations of ALAT, LAT, and LATG are well known and widely used throughout the varied fields of laboratory animal care. In fact, these certifications have come to be a common requirement for a lab animal care position.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

What is the best certification for a dog trainer?

The best dog trainer certification is Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT). The Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) is awarded by the Certification Council For Pet Dog Trainers. This certification corresponds to a specialty within a recognized occupation.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this dog trainer certification:

  • To become a certified Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT), you need to pass the exam.
  • This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 3 year.

What are some of the most in-demand certifications for dog trainers?

The most in-demand dog trainer certification is Pet First Aid based on all active job postings. Having this dog trainer certification will give you access to more dog trainer jobs with higher salaries.

Best certifications

The most common combination of dog trainer certifications include: Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT), OSHA Safety Certificate , and Pet First Aid.

Online courses for dog trainers to earn certifications

Advertising disclosure

1. Dog Training - Become A Dog Trainer - Dog Training Career

udemy
4.5
(900)

Turn dog training into an ideal career & become a professional dog trainer. Get the lifestyle you want & work with dogs...

2. DOG BEHAVIOR & DOG TRAINING: Fix Problems & Animal Behavior

udemy
4.1
(284)

BAD DOG BEHAVIOR? ENROLL NOW! Dog Training, Animal Behavior, Puppy Training, Canine Behavior, Dogs, Puppies/Animals/Pets...

3. Punishment-Free Dog Training: 30 Day Perfect Dog Blueprint

udemy
4.7
(1,252)

Create a Calm and Confident Dog in 30 Days Using These Proprietary DOG TRAINING GAMES...

4. From Puppy To Dog Training

udemy
4.6
(306)

The Complete Dog Obedience Training Course To A Fantastic Life With Your Dog...

5. Crucial Concepts in Dog Behavior & Training

udemy
4.5
(1,264)

Learn cutting edge and common sense concepts that make dog training incredibly easy and effective...

6. Science-Based Dog Training (with Feeling) - All 3 Days

udemy
4.4
(1,478)

Learn effective and enjoyable dog training methods that are science-based and ready for real-world dog training...

7. Dog & Cat Behavior Problems

udemy
4.8
(288)

Learn the essential training techniques you'll need to raise a pet dog or cat and fix common behavior problems...

8. Dog Training - How to Work With Aggressive Dogs.

udemy
4.3
(498)

A start to finish view into the rehabilitation of four aggressive dogs...

9. Dr. Ian Dunbar's SIRIUS® Dog Trainer Academy - All 4 Days

udemy
4.8
(2,136)

Learn how to train dogs the SIRIUS® way! Learn how to run and promote your own dog-friendly dog training business...

10. Reliability and Games 2-Day Dog Training Workshop

udemy
4.4
(1,007)

Training games are great for motivating owners and dogs alike. Learn to harness games to achieve rock-solid reliability...

11. Dog CPR, First Aid + Safety for pet pros + dedicated owners

udemy
4.8
(4,958)

Essential training to keep your dogs safe, attract clients & gain skills & confidence to take action in an emergency...

12. Simple Solutions for Common Dog Behavior & Training Problems

udemy
4.6
(3,462)

Learn to address house soiling, chewing, barking, digging, separation anxiety, jumping up, pulling on leash and more...

13. Inside Your Dog's Mind with Victoria Stilwell

udemy
4.8
(2,530)

Understanding canine behavior and how dogs think, feel and learn to make dog training easier & more effective...

14. Growl Class - A Workshop Demo for Reactive Dogs

udemy
4.5
(2,939)

Dr. Ian Dunbar demonstrates how to use a group class setting to deal with dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs...

15. Treatment & Prevention of Dog Aggression: Biting & Fighting

udemy
4.7
(1,122)

Learn new concepts that can significantly accelerate the training of dogs with aggression and reactivity issues...

16. Natural Dog Nutrition & Wellbeing - Nature Knows Best!

udemy
4.4
(529)

Discover how to boost your dog's health, extend its life, prevent disease and keep its tail wagging for longer.....

17. How to Train a Puppy

udemy
4.8
(429)

Train your puppy the right way with Dr. Ian Dunbar. Includes 13 videos, 4 books, and 16 behavior blueprints...

18. Animal Psychology/ Pets Behaviour - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE

udemy
4.5
(924)

Learn about behaviour in dogs, dealing with cats, rabbit behaviour, cats and dogs psychology, aggression in dogs, pet...

19. Customer Service Fundamentals: Putting People First

udemy
4.4
(313)

Customer Care Listening Great Customer Service Concern for Others Company Culture Engaging People Responding...

20. Train the Trainer 101: For Beginners Only!

udemy
4.6
(2,150)

Quickly go from trainee to trainer using The Rule the Room training method: How to Train Anything to Anyone...

Browse personal care and attendants jobs