Animal trainer
Also known as: animal trainers, canine trainer, animal behaviour trainer, cat behaviourist, canine training specialist, pet trainer
About this occupation
Animal trainers train animals and/or animal handlers for general and specific purposes, including assistance, security, leisure, competition, transportation, obedience and routine handling, entertainment and education, in accordance with national legislation.
A specialisation of animal handler.
Essential skills and knowledge
- implement exercise activities for animals
- deal with challenging people
- manage animal hygiene
- anatomy of animals
- monitor the welfare of animals
- assess animal behaviour
- physiology of animals
- practise veterinary professional codes of conduct
- animal behaviour
- provide an enriching environment for animals
- handle veterinary emergencies
- animal welfare
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Animal Trainers (O*NET 39-2011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Cue or signal animals during performances.
- Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
- Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
- 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 to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Social, Conventional
Top skills: Instructing, Speaking, Learning Strategies, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Active Listening
US median pay: US$39,990 a year (2025), 18,770 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.2)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.1)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Animal Caretakers
- Animal Breeders
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
- Animal Control Workers
- Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
- Athletes and Sports Competitors
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
- Self-Enrichment Teachers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.