Animal trainers work with companion, guard, or show animals and teach them behaviors and tricks. A certification program in animal training will teach you animal behavior and welfare, physiology, genetics, nutrition, and the basic animal commands. If you are looking to begin an animal training business, it is recommended that you take some classes in business and finance as well. Some colleges and private career schools offer animal training programs, but many schools may only offer courses within their programs in animal science or equestrian studies, www.iseek.org. Classes in these programs may include:

Anatomy and Physiology

Animal Behavior and Performance

Animal Disorders and Diseases

Animal Nutrition

Bathing and Grooming Techniques

Client Relations

Computer Business Applications

Farrier Science

Show Procedures

Training animals takes skill and experience; working directly with animals and expert trainers is the best way to learn such skills.

With a degree or certification in animal training you could work as a marine animal trainer, horse trainer, or animal breeder.

Marine Animal Trainer

Although additionally training is needed, an animal training certificate program is a good first step to becoming a marine animal trainer, especially for people who aren't sure they want to pursue a degree in more advanced animal science. Marine animal trainers need to be powerful swimmers, and be in good health. Additionally, it is essential to be an experienced SCUBA diver, since much of the training takes place underwater. Marine animal trainers spend a lot of time with animals such as dolphins, porpoises, and small whales, and build a relationship with the animal. Through a process of reinforcement and reward, these animals are trained to perform acrobatics or aquabatics. Other opportunities for marine animal trainers exist within the military. Dolphins have been used to detect and even lay mines in shallow water or harbors. Median hourly earnings for civilian animal trainers in 2002 were $11.03.

Horse Trainer

Horse trainers, also known as wranglers, train horses to perform a number of different functions. Different trainers specialize in different areas of expertise. Wild or untrained horses usually distrust humans, so the trainer needs to accustom the horse to the feeling of a saddle and human interaction. The weight is gradually increased and eventually the trainer may mount the horse. Over time, the horse is trained to understand and react to different commands. These commands may be verbal, using pressure exerted by the rider's thighs or heels, or by using the reins. These commands tell the horse which direction to go in, to speed up, slow down or stop. Some trainers specialize in training racehorses; show horses, steeplechasers, or working horses.

Animal Breeder

Animal breeders choose livestock and pets for breeding purposes, and see the animals through the breeding cycle.

Animal breeders raise livestock and work to improve selected characteristics of animals. Through out time, breeders have changed breeds by forcing natural selection, as a breeder can select which animals mate and which animals don't.

Animal breeders are careful about choosing which animals to breed, thoroughly researching the parents of the animals before breeding and keeping records of which animals were bred and characteristics of their offspring. Breeders spend lots of time taking care of animals, so a love for animals is a must in this career.

For more information on a Degree or Certificate in Animal Training, or to find out more about associated careers, visit the US Bureau of Labor, www.bls.gov, Wikipedia Encyclopedia, en.wikipedia.org, or iSeek, www.iseek.org.