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Assistance Dog Trainer

Do you want to become a Assistance Dog Trainer? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Assistance dog trainers train dogs to help people who are blind, deaf, physically disabled or are prone to seizures.

There are four main kinds of assistance dog:

• guide dogs for the blind
• hearing dogs for deaf people
• assistance dogs for disabled people
• medical or seizure alert dogs.

The work depends on the type of assistance dog being trained. It involves supervising the training of puppies and young dogs, training dogs for advanced tasks, training dogs and clients together and providing support and aftercare. Trainers often work with up to six dogs at a time for as long as six months.

A normal working week is about 35 hours, which can include evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Part-time work is possible. Trainers spend much of their time handling and walking dogs outdoors in all weathers. They often have to drive to see their clients.

Salaries range from £7,500 to £10,200 a year for new dog trainers, to £15,000 for those with experience.

An assistance dog trainer should:

• feel comfortable with all types of dog
• have a great deal of patience and perseverance
• be able to work well on their own and in a team
• have a sense of responsibility
• be confident with all kinds of people.

Young people can learn how to train dogs from the age of 18. No specific qualifications are necessary for entry, although some organisations look for GCSEs/S grades or equivalent, including English. Assistance dog training establishments in the UK are usually charitable organisations, of which The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is the largest, training approximately 700 dogs a year. Hearing Dogs for Deaf People trains approximately 150 dogs a year.

New entrants usually start work at the centre of one of the charities, settling dogs into kennels and getting them into a routine. It is an advantage to have worked in a caring role, especially with animals, either paid or unpaid. Employers may offer sponsorship for apprenticeship training or for further study at college.

There may be opportunities for promotion to senior and management posts. Some trainers become self-employed in areas such as dog obedience classes or private dog training. Others move into a related field such as veterinary nursing or RSPCA inspection.

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