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Dog Trainer

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

Job Description - Print Page

Dog trainers work with dogs and their owners or handlers. They run classes, training courses or one-to-one training. Their tasks might include:

• teaching people to handle, groom and examine dogs correctly
• teaching people to train their dogs to obey commands of basic control
• training dogs how to interact with other dogs, adults and children
• teaching dog agility
• teaching tracking, detection and protection
• training people and their dogs for competitions
• assessing the progress of dogs and their handlers.

They may work on their own or with an assistant.

Trainers of working dogs usually work about 37 hours a week, from Monday to Friday. They may carry out some training in the evenings. Many pet dog trainers work during evenings and weekends.

They may work indoors or outdoors, and some make home visits.

Salaries range from around £16,000 to £35,000 a year.

Dog trainers need to:

• be patient, calm and friendly
• be caring and understanding
• be able to handle all kinds of dogs well
• be able to explain things clearly
• be physically fit
• be well-organised
• enjoy working with people as well as dogs.

There are fewer than 5,000 dog trainers in the UK. Dog trainers work in dog training clubs, security organisations, the Armed Forces, the police force and HM Revenue and Customs. Opportunities are increasing for both pet dog trainers and working dog trainers, but t here can be a lot of competition for entry to the work.

There are usually no minimum entry requirements to become a dog trainer, but experience of handling and training your own, or other people's dogs, is necessary.

Adults with relevant experience have a good chance of entry.

There is a wide range of relevant courses at all levels, which may be taken either before starting work or during training for the job. Courses are available full time, part time and by distance learning.

Dog trainers may move into a related area such as animal behaviour or psychology, or they can become lecturers on dog training courses. Self-employment is common for pet dog trainers.

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