Animal Trainers

Course Advisor; United States; On-site; USD 20,270 - 55,760; Full time

Job summary

Course Advisor is looking for an Animal Trainer to teach and condition animals for various purposes, including assistance and performances. The ideal candidate will have strong instructing skills and experience in evaluating animals for trainability. This position is critical as the job market for animal trainers is growing significantly, with an average annual salary ranging from $20,270 to $55,760 depending on experience and location.

Qualifications

• Experience in animal training, focusing on specific species.
• Ability to instruct and communicate effectively.
• Skill in evaluating animal trainability.

Responsibilities

• Train animals for various use cases including performance.
• Condition animals to respond to commands.
• Advise animal owners on animal selection.

Skills

Instructing

Speaking

Learning Strategies

Critical Thinking

Active Learning

Judgment and Decision Making

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Office

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Windows

Database software

Oracle PeopleSoft

Epic Systems

SAP software

Atlassian JIRA

Job description

What Do Animal Trainers Do?

Animal Trainer Example Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or assisting persons with disabilities. Accustom animals to human voice and contact; and condition animals to respond to commands. Train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.

Job Duties

• Retrain horses to break bad habits, such as kicking, bolting, or resisting bridling or grooming.
• Cue or signal animals during performances.
• Evaluate animals for trainability and ability to perform.
• Advise animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals.
• Instruct jockeys in handling specific horses during races.
• Use oral, spur, rein, or hand commands to condition horses to carry riders or to pull horse-drawn equipment.

Key Skills

Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Related Titles

• Pet Handler
• Racehorse Trainer
• Ring Conductor
• Guide Dog Instructor
• Horse Wrangler

Job Market

In the United States, there were 54,900 jobs for Animal Trainer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6,100 new jobs for Animal Trainer by 2026. There will be an estimated 7,000 positions for Animal Trainer per year.

The states with the most job growth for Animal Trainer are Colorado, Oregon, and New Hampshire. Watch out if you plan on working in South Carolina, Maryland, or Pennsylvania. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Salary

The typical yearly salary for Animal Trainers is somewhere between $20,270 and $55,760.

Animal Trainers who work in Kentucky, Washington, or Illinois make the highest salaries.

Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Project
• Database software
• Facebook
• Oracle PeopleSoft
• Oracle software
• Epic Systems
• SAP software
• Atlassian JIRA
• Customer information control system CICS
• Work scheduling software