Become a Professional Dog TrainerDo You Have a Passion for Dogs and a Desire to Help Them Thrive?
Mountain Dog Lounge is looking for passionate, motivated individuals interested in building a rewarding career as a professional dog trainer through our Dog Training Apprenticeship Program.
Dog training is a growing industry that offers meaningful work, long-term career opportunities, and the chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of dogs and their families.
If you love helping dogs learn, enjoy problem-solving, and are passionate about strengthening the bond between dogs and their owners, this may be the career for you.
What You'll Learn
Our apprenticeship provides extensive hands-on training in:
- Canine body language and behavior
- Learning theory and reward-based training
- Puppy foundations and socialization
- Basic and advanced obedience
- Leash manners and loose-leash walking
- Recall training
- Impulse control
- Confidence building
- Reactivity prevention and management
- Client coaching and communication
- Group class instruction
- Private lesson instruction
- Day Training programs
- Enrichment and canine wellness
- Safe handling techniques
- Business operations and customer service
Is Dog Training Right for You?
Dog training is far more than teaching dogs to sit and stay.
It requires patience, excellent communication skills, problem-solving, consistency, and the ability to coach both dogs and their owners. Every dog learns differently, and every family has unique goals. Great trainers know how to adapt while building trust and creating positive experiences.
The most successful trainers aren't just dog lovers—they're passionate about understanding canine behavior and helping dogs and people succeed together.
How Our Apprenticeship WorksStep 1: Shadowing & Assistant Training
All apprentices begin by working alongside our experienced trainers while employed by Mountain Dog Lounge.
During this phase, you will:
- Be paid as a Mountain Dog Lounge employee
- Observe private lessons, group classes, and day training sessions
- Learn dog handling and training techniques
- Assist trainers during sessions
- Build confidence working with a wide variety of dogs and temperaments
- Learn our training philosophy and communication style
This allows both you and our team to determine whether professional dog training is the right long-term fit.
Step 2: Dog Training Apprenticeship
After the initial training period, we'll evaluate together whether moving into the apprenticeship is the right next step for both of us.
If accepted into the program:
- Apprenticeship tuition: $2,500
- Up to one year of personalized mentorship
- We train only a small number of apprentices at a time
- Extensive hands-on learning with real client dogs
- Individualized coaching based on your progress
- Ongoing feedback and support throughout your training
Our philosophy is simple—we believe people learn best by doing. That's why the majority of our program focuses on real-world, hands-on experience rather than classroom lectures alone.
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, qualified graduates may be offered a dog trainer position with Mountain Dog Lounge.
Our trainers have opportunities to teach:
- Private lessons
- Group classes
- Day Training programs
- Puppy programs
- Recall and adventure training
- Future specialty programs as our training department continues to grow
Why Choose Mountain Dog Lounge?
At Mountain Dog Lounge, we believe training is about much more than obedience.
We focus on helping dogs thrive through relationship-based, reward-focused training while supporting each dog's overall wellness—mind, body, and soul.
We offer:
✔ Extensive hands-on mentorship
✔ Small apprentice-to-instructor ratios
✔ Positive, relationship-based training methods
✔ Supportive team environment
✔ Continued education opportunities
✔ Opportunities for professional growth
✔ The chance to help shape an expanding training department
If you're looking for more than just a job—and want a career where you can truly change the lives of dogs and their families—we'd love to meet you.
For more information or to apply, please email us today.
Mountain Dog Lounge
Heber City, Utah
Pay: From $14.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- On-the-job training
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid time off
- Paid training
Work Location: In person
