Becoming a professional dog trainer can be a rewarding career choice – after all, who doesn’t love to work with man’s best friend? However, it is a career choice that also comes with significant challenges. Being a dog trainer is about more than just working with dogs, because even with years of experience and numerous qualifications in the field, it is an industry where continuous learning and professional development is essential to success.
One route to achieving the necessary ongoing education and development is through networking and mentorship. We are fortunate in the dog training industry to be able to rely upon experts who have been there and done it themselves – the same applies at our School for Dog Trainers, where many members of our staff are professional dog trainers and are able to impart their own experiences to the next generation of dog trainers.
Why mentorship matters
As with any industry, building a network of like-minded professionals is a great way to enhance your own knowledge of your craft. Expertise is something that can be shared from trainer-to-trainer – whether it is related to training techniques, advice on how to establish and grow your business, or even recommendations for third-party vendors like accountants or marketing agencies.
If you can build relationships with those who have experience in the industry, you can begin to understand what has worked for them – and just as importantly, what didn’t work for them. In a nutshell, networking and mentorship offers support and creates opportunities that otherwise may not exist.
Benefits of having a mentor
There are numerous benefits to having a respected mentor in your corner as your dog training journey progresses.
Sharing training techniques
Everyone has their own philosophy when it comes to dog training. One thing that you can’t learn immediately, though, is experience – and that’s where having a mentor can really help. You can discuss different training techniques and ways to problem-solve with your mentor, which can expand your knowledge and offer you greater tools to help your clients.
Dealing with difficult situations
No dog trainer bats 1,000. There will be times when you aren’t making as much progress with a client as you would ideally wish, or simply need an alternative perspective on a behavioral issue. This is where your mentor is an invaluable resource – a 15-20 minute conversation can completely change your outlook on the situation. Your mentor has almost certainly been in a similar situation in their own career, so is speaking from an experienced perspective.
Career guidance
If you’re just starting out on your path as a dog trainer, or feel like you may have reached a plateau in your career, your mentor is someone you can use to bounce ideas with for career progression. Perhaps you’re wondering if you should niche down your business to focus on a particular area of dog training. You may be wondering if your pricing is reflective of your target market – in fact, you may actually be wondering if your target market is the right one for your overall goals. These are discussions you can hold with your mentor, who can give you honest advice on how to proceed.
Referrals and connections
Being a dog trainer isn’t just about training dogs – depending on if you’re self-employed or working for an established organization, you may need a CPA to help with taxes, a broker for insurance, a marketing agency to help you reach your target audience, and so on. While online reviews can offer some guidance, a recommendation or introduction from a trusted mentor can often be more helpful, particularly when they have had a positive experience.
Accountability
Scheduling check-ins with your mentor – even if it is just once per quarter, or even once every six months – can help you stay accountable to your personal and professional goals. If you are self-employed, it can feel lonely at times, but a mentor or coach can help you to make sure you are on the right track.
What makes a great mentor
It goes without saying that your mentor should have a track record in the dog training industry, but what are the qualities you should be looking out for in a would-be mentor?
- Experience. Your mentor should have a track record in the dog training industry – after all, that’s why you’re leaning on them for guidance.
- Patience. Mentors often have to listen, and listen, and then listen some more. It isn’t just about imparting wisdom – it is about the mentor understanding the needs of the trainer they are mentoring. That often means taking a step back and patiently listening.
- Professionalism. Mentors often have a positive reputation that precedes them – and a large part of that comes from maintaining professional standards in their conduct, both online and offline.
- Selfless. Mentors are usually unpaid, so the role requires a degree of selflessness for the partnership to work. While the mentor shouldn’t be on-call 24/7, you do want to be able to make sure they are able to support you.
- Open-minded. It shouldn’t be ‘my way or the highway’ for a mentor – they should consider each situation on its merits, and try to enable the trainer they are mentoring to arrive at a solution that works for them. When a mentor dictates, it removes teaching moments, and can close down discussions and opportunities for growth.
How to find mentors
If you’re on the lookout for a mentor, you may be wondering where to begin your search. A great starting point is to consider who you look up to in this industry. Who has viewpoints and opinions that you listen to? Who has credentials that are respected? There’s no harm in asking these trainers if they offer mentorship opportunities.
If you need to cast your net a little wider, remember you may already be connected through other trainers – either in your local area, through educational programs you have attended, via mutual connections on social media, or professional organizations (such as the IACP, APDT or IAABC). If you’re at the very start of your career, looking for volunteer or intern opportunities with established dog training organizations is a great way to build a well-connected circle that can help you for years to come.
Giving back - becoming a mentor yourself
Eventually, you may find yourself in the role of being a mentor to the next generation of dog trainers. This is an excellent way to pay back the help you received in your own journey. Remember that being a mentor is a responsibility and time commitment, but it can help to strengthen the knowledge and expertise across the industry – which ultimately leads to better outcomes for the dog training community.