 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2011) |
 Early 20th century animal trainer Dolores Vallecita with a leopard. | |
| Occupation | |
|---|---|
| Names | Animal trainer |
Occupation type | Performing arts |
Activity sectors | Social science, busking, circus, show business |
| Description | |
| Competencies | Manual dexterity |
Education required | See professional requirements |
Fields of employment | Police, education, entertainment |
Related jobs | Lion tamer; see related occupations |
Animal training is the act of teaching animals specific responses to specific conditions or stimuli. Training may be for purposes such as companionship, detection, protection, and entertainment. The type of training an animal receives will vary depending on the training method used, and the purpose for training the animal. For example, a seeing eye dog will be trained to achieve a different goal than a wild animal in a circus.
In some countries animal trainer certification bodies exist. They do not share consistent goals or requirements; they do not prevent someone from practicing as an animal trainer nor using the title. Similarly, the United States does not require animal trainers to have any specific certification.[1] An animal trainer should consider the natural behaviors of the animal and aim to modify behaviors through a basic system of reward and punishment.[2]