Assistance dog trainer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

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

Entry requirements:

College

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

Courses include:

• Level 1 or 2 Diploma in Animal Care
• T Level in Animal Care and Management

Entry requirements:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 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 start by doing an intermediate apprenticeship as an animal care and welfare assistant.

With experience, you could move onto an animal trainer higher apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• 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.

Volunteering

You could gain 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.

DirectApplication

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got some experience of working with dogs.

You'll need:

• knowledge of basic dog handling and positive training techniques
• understanding of the issues faced by disabled people

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

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

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work on your own
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• knowledge of teaching and instructing
• thinking and reasoning skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
• the ability to teach pupils how to do something
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to learn through your work
• administration skills
• knowledge of English language
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

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

In this job, you'll:

• work with volunteers who foster puppies and young dogs
• assess dogs to go forward for training
• train dogs to the standards required
• match dogs to new owners
• train dogs and owners together
• provide aftercare and support for owners and their dogs
• keep accurate records

Location : You could work at a client's business or at a client's home.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and you'll travel often.

Salary:

Starter : £16,000
Experienced : £28,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

35 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends occasionally

Career Path:

With experience you could become an area team supervisor, training manager or regional manager.

You could move into related jobs like veterinary nurse or RSPCA inspector.

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