Animal Trainer
Who Is An Animal Trainer?
An animal trainer works with animals and trains them for human contact. This training includes grooming them for defence, entertainment, or even companionship. There are different types of animal trainers, some of whom specialise in training certain species of animals. Domesticating an animal and helping them adapt and live with their human families are also responsibilities an animal trainer takes up.
Roles & Responsibilities
Looking after animals.You will be responsible for the animals as you will be the one working most closely with them. You are also expected to understand their needs well. For instance, you should know when the animal you’re training is hungry, upset or unwell.
Training animals for various purposes. Depending on the requirements of a job, you will prepare them in various ways. Say, you’re training dogs, you might have to teach them how to sniff out illegal objects or to act as a guide.
Guiding animals during a performance. If you’re training animals for entertainment, you will have to teach them how to perform on cues and sounds. This helps them perform better.
Analysing the capacity, temperament and aptitude of animals. You’re teaching a new trick or technique to an animal who can’t exactly talk to you. To train them well, you need to monitor them closely, understand them well and choose the best technique to teach them.
Taking care of physical conditions to monitor animal health. You will have to keep a close eye on the animal’s surroundings and take good care of their diets. It is up to you to see that they are vaccinated regularly and comfortable in their living space.
Familiarising yourself with every little detail about the animals. Your role involves having an in-depth knowledge of breed characteristics, training techniques, animal health, etc. This helps you understand them better and train them efficiently.
Take the Mentoria career assessment test, to find out how well-suited you are as an Animal Trainer.
What Skills Will I Need To Have To Do This Job Well?
As exciting as this sounds, there are some things you’ll need to learn to do the job right:
KEEN OBSERVATIONAL SKILLS
You’re training someone who doesn’t speak the same language as you. That’s why you need to pay attention to every little detail and spot the needs of or challenges faced by animals, so you can correct course in time and keep them happy.
INSTRUCTING SKILLS
Your instructing skills will have to be better than any regular instructor, as you’re teaching new tricks and techniques to an animal. You have to make sure your instructions are well-understood and carried out, for which you will have to know the animal well.
PHYSICAL STAMINA
Dealing with animals requires physical stamina. You will have to chase animals around, make them run and involve them in other physical activities. This is a physically demanding job.
ABILITY TO WORK UNDER PRESSURE
Remember, it’s hard for an animal to understand what you’re saying. There will be times when you just won’t be able to get through. You will have to be patient. Animals sense agitation much better than humans, so staying calm while training them will only help you do your job better.
INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS
As an animal trainer, you will find yourself working with animals and their humans. You might also have to work with a veterinary doctor and share the problems an animal is facing. Good interpersonal skills will help you bridge the gap between the two.
TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS
You need to develop discipline and timeliness while training the animal. Not only do you have to train them in a specific period, but you will also have to keep track of their food and water breaks, among other things.
What Will My Workplace Look Like?
Animal trainers work in various settings. You might have to work in a zoo, aquarium, research lab, open fields, zoological parks, horse farms, marine parks, homes or even movie sets. If you’re working with marine animals, you need to know how to swim well.
What Is My Scope For Career Growth As A Animal Trainer?
You will get lots of work opportunities at various animal training organisations. Various international animal organisations, as well as entertainment hubs, require animal trainers.
Your scope will vary depending on the animal you’re working with and the type of training required. Certification courses increase your chances of getting hired.
Thinking of a career as an Animal Trainer? Take the Mentoria assessment test & talk to our career counsellors to get personalized step-by-step guidance for your future career path.
How Much Will I Get Paid?
Though the exact number cannot be stated, an animal trainer can expect to earn around INR 1,50,000 on an average per year. Some animal trainers are paid on an hourly basis and the average amount is INR 80 per hour for beginners. The salary generally falls between INR 1,50,000 to INR 1,80,000 to begin with.
Okay, I'm sold. This is amazing
STEP 1: Class XI-XII/Junior College
You can choose any stream during your junior college. Choosing animal science as a subject will work as an added advantage.
STEP 2: Graduation
While formal education isn’t a mandate, it would help to get a Bachelor’s degree in animal sciences.
If you wish to become a special trainer, say for training marine animals, you could opt for a degree in Marine Biology. Taking up Zoology as a subject will help you gain further insights into different animal temperaments.
STEP 3: Post-graduation
If you want to specialise in a particular type of training, a Master’s degree will help you gain professional specialisation and improve your job prospects.
STEP 4: Land a Job
After graduation, it is only a matter of time before you land a job. Once that happens, gaining experience will help you climb the success ladder.
Congratulations, you are officially an animal trainer!
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