Instructions
Choose a reputable school to attend for dog training. The American Dog Trainers Network provides information on educational resources (see References). School may not be the best option for everyone, so becoming an apprentice to a well-experienced trainer may also be a good choice.
Attend as many dog training and behavior seminars as possible. It is recommended by the American Dog Trainers Network to attend at least one- to four-day seminars and workshops on a variety of dog-related subjects including how to choose and raise a puppy, developmental stages, animal behavior and modification, obedience training, effective handling skills, how to read and evaluate a dog, handling and training aggressive dogs, canine health and nutrition, responsible dog ownership, pet safety tips, house training and crate training.
Volunteer to help veterinarians, animal shelters, or rescue groups to obtain hands-on experience. Other ways to get hands-on experience would be dog sitting or dog walking.
Find everything there is to read on dog training. Invaluable information can be found in magazines such as, Dog Fancy, Dog World, and Pet Life. There are videos available to watch such as, ABC's of Behavior Shaping, The Fundamentals of Training, and Take a Bow Wow, Clicker Magic. A good trainer strives to learn as much as possible from as many sources as possible.
Sharing information with others online can be done after joining The International Association of Canine Professionals (see References). This is a reputable website great for meeting other trainers all over the world.
How to Train to Become a Dog Trainer
A good dog trainer must be passionate about dogs and realize that anger and abuse have no place in the dog training world. According to the American Dog Trainer's Network, it takes three to five years of intensive study with hands-on experience to become a trainer. There is no training school able to teach everything in just a couple of months. No degree is required to be a trainer, but both book knowledge and hands on experience is expected before offering services to the public.