Assistance dog trainer

Assistance dog trainers and instructors train dogs that help people to maintain their independence, like guide dogs and hearing dogs.

Also known as: Dog training and behaviour adviser

• Starter salary£24,000 a year
• Experienced£30,000 a year
• Typical hours35 to 40 a week

What you'll do

As an assistance dog trainer, you could:

• design training courses that meet the development needs of each dog
• supervise volunteers who foster puppies and young dogs
• assess dogs to decide which will go forward for training
• use a variety of dog handling and training methods, like positive reinforcement
• speak and listen to potential new owners to learn what they need
• help match dogs to owners and train them together
• provide aftercare and support for owners and their dogs
• make sure training meets animal welfare standards and regulations

Working environment

You could work at a client's business or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and you'll travel often.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• knowledge of teaching and instructing
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• concentration skills
• customer service skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

How to become a assistance dog trainer

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

College

You could do a course at college which would give you some of the skills and knowledge needed to do this job.

Courses include:

• animal care
• canine training and behaviour
• companion animal behaviour and training
• T Level in Animal Care and Management

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You may be able to apply for a place on an Animal Care and Welfare Assistant Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

With experience, you could move on to do an Animal Training Instructor Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could get into this job by starting as a kennel worker, then move on to training dogs and working with their owners. Your employer would put you through an assistance dog training programme.

You'll need a good understanding of canine behaviour and be confident when handling dogs.

Volunteering

You could get experience of working with dogs and using positive training techniques through volunteering.

This might include:

• volunteering at kennels
• helping at a dog rescue centre
• working for an animal welfare organisation

Do IT has more information on voluntary opportunities in your area.

Direct application

You can apply directly for jobs. You'll usually need at least 3 or 4 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths and English, plus 1 to 2 years' experience of working with dogs.

You'll also need:

• knowledge of basic dog handling and training methods
• an awareness of the issues faced by disabled people and vulnerable groups

Depending on the people they support, some employers may also ask for more specific skills like:

• sign language for working with deaf people
• experience of teaching, instructing or mentoring
• knowledge of specific conditions like epilepsy, dementia, sight loss or autism

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks
• be over 18 years of age
• have a full driving licence
• have a good level of fitness

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a team supervisor, centre manager or regional manager. You might also work as a senior training co-ordinator, instructing the next generation of assistance dog trainers.

With training, you could move into related careers, such as veterinary nursing or RSPCA inspection.

You might also set up your own business and provide services like canine behaviour classes or private dog training.

Career tips

It's important to have a good understanding of the benefits an assistance or companion dog can bring to your clients' lives.

Guides for this industry

• Animal Care: pay, interviews and getting started →

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