Introduction
In a world where the bond between humans and their four-legged companions grows stronger by the day, there exists a remarkable realm of careers that stand at the crossroads of love, passion, and pure Canine magic.
Welcome to the captivating universe of “Awesome Careers in Training Dogs.” It’s a place where ordinary individuals transform into extraordinary guides, where the language spoken is one of barks, tail wags, and pawshakes, and where every day begins with the boundless potential to shape the destiny of not just a dog, but often an entire family’s joy. Embark on this journey with us, and discover how a passion for man’s best friend can lead to an awe-inspiring career that is as rewarding as it is, well, paw-sitively awesome!
1. Dog Agility Course Trainer
A dog agility course trainer is an expert in training dogs to perform during agility sports events.
How to become a Dog Agility Course Trainer
The minimum requirements for training careers is a High School Certificate, but the best have furthered their studies with a College Diploma, or excellent Short Courses.
A diploma with a focus in dog training, animal behaviour, animal physiology, or a closely related area is preferred.
Career Name – Dog Agility Course Trainer
Category – Animal Care / Business
Skills Required – Life skills 45% – Career skills 55%
Basic School Subjects – Biology, Business Studies, Language
Minimum Required Education – High School Certificate
Species Worked With – Dogs
Level of interaction with Animals – Direct
Helpful Links
Career Profiles:
2. Dog Obedience Trainer
A Dog Obedience Trainer uses various techniques to train dogs to do things on command, or to act in specific ways within the home or around other people and animals.
How to become a Dog Obedience Trainer
The minimum requirements for training careers is a High School Certificate, but the best have furthered their studies with a College Diploma, or excellent Short Courses.
Your main focus should be on completing a Dog Obedience Training Program, with additional courses in animal behaviour, animal physiology, or a closely related area.
Career Name – Dog Obedience Trainer
Category – Animal Care / Business / Law & Enforcement
Skills Required – Life skills 45% – Career skills 55%
Basic School Subjects – Biology, Science, Business Studies
Required Minimum Education – College Diploma
Species Worked With – Dogs
Kind of Interaction with Animals – Direct
Helpful Links
Career Profiles:
3. Animal-assisted Therapist
Animal-assisted Therapists are trained professionals (normally with some medical background) who use animals as a part of the treatment of humans with physical or mental conditions.
Dogs are most frequently used in animal-assisted therapy, but other types of animals such as cats, rabbits, horses, dolphins, and even wolves can be trained and used in therapy.
How to become an Animal-Assisted Therapist
To become an Animal-Assisted Therapist requires formal training with a good College Diploma or even a Bachelor’s Degree as the minimum requirement to enter this career.
Most animal-assisted therapists have qualifications in a specific medical or related field, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, physical therapist, occupational therapist, nurse or social worker.
Career Name – Animal-assisted Therapist
Category – Health / Business
Skills Required – Life skills 40% – Career skills 60%
Basic School Subjects – Biology, Science, Business Studies
Minimum Required Education – College Diploma
Species Worked With – Cats, Dogs, Critters, Farm Animals, Mammals, Marine Animals
Kind of Interaction with Animals – Direct
Helpful Links
Career Profiles:
4. Service Dog Trainer
Service dog trainers use their skills to train dogs to assist humans with tasks that the humans might not be able to complete. Service dogs are trained to lead people with sight impairments, or assist people with specific illnesses in detecting signs of complications (such as warning people with epilepsy for an approaching seizure).
How to become a Service Dog Trainer
The minimum requirements for entry into the career is a College Diploma, or excellent Short Courses.
A diploma or Short Courses with a focus in animal behaviour, animal physiology and psychology, or a closely related area is preferred.
Career Name – Service Dog Trainer
Category – Animal Care / Business / Health
Skills Required – Life skills 50% – Career skills 50%
Basic School Subjects – Biology, Science, Business Studies
Minimum Required Education – High School Certificate
Species Worked With – Dogs
Kind of Interaction with Animals – Direct
Helpful Links
Career Profiles:
5. Search & Rescue Dog Trainer
Search & Rescue (SAR) Dog Trainers use their skills to train dogs to use scent to find humans that may be lost or difficult to find.
Although the SAR dogs are classified as K9, there are trainers that only work with SAR dogs.
How to become a Search & Rescue Dog Trainer
The minimum requirements for entering this careers is a High School Certificate, but most of the best trainers have furthered their studies with a College Diploma, or excellent Short Courses.
A diploma or Short Courses with a focus in training, survival, emergency rescue, animal behaviour, or a closely related area is preferred.
Career Name – Search & Rescue Dog Trainer
Category – Animal Care / Business / Law & Enforcement
Skills Required – Life skills 40% – Career skills 60%
Basic School Subjects – Biology, Science, Geography
Required Minimum Education – College Diploma
Species Worked With – Dogs
Kind of Interaction with Animals – Direct
Helpful Links
Career Profiles:
6. K9 Instructor
K9 instructors are people who are specially equipped to train special working dogs through hand signals and sounds to perform certain functions.
K9 dogs are trained to:
- Track and catch criminals.
- Sniff out drugs, contraband and explosives.
- Patrol areas with police or security officers
- Protect people
- Protect wildlife, such as rhinos and elephants against poachers
How to become a K9 Instructor
The minimum requirements for instructor careers entering the police service is a High School Certificate, but those who want to work for the private sector will need a minimum of a college diploma.
A diploma with a focus in policing and tactical training, animal behaviour, or a closely related area is preferred.
Career Name – K9 Instructor
Category – Animal Care / Law and Enforcement / Business
Skills Required – Life skills 40% – Career skills 60%
Basic School Subjects – Biology, Business Studies
Minimum Required Education – College Diploma
Species Worked With – Dogs
Kind of Interaction with Animals – Direct
Helpful Links
Career Profiles:
7. Working Dog Trainer
Working dog trainers use their skills and knowledge to train dogs to perform specific practical tasks which can be seen as work (labor).
This career looks at people that train the following kinds of working dogs:
- Carting dogs
- Herding dogs
- Hunting dogs (retrievers)
- Sledding dogs
How to become a Working Dog Trainer
The minimum requirements for training careers is a High School Certificate, but the best have furthered their studies with a College Diploma, or excellent Short Courses.
A diploma or short course with a focus in dog training, animal behaviour, or a closely related area is preferred.
Career Name – Working Dog Trainer
Category – Animal Care / Business / Farming & Livestock Management
Skills Required – Life skills 40% – Career skills 60%
Basic School Subjects – Biology, Science, Business Studies
Required Minimum Education – High School Certificate
Species Worked With – Dogs
Kind of Interaction with Animals – Direct
Helpful Links
Career Profiles:
As we delve deeper into this fascinating world of dog training careers, it becomes evident that it’s not just about transforming dogs; it’s about transforming lives. Whether you’re helping a young pup learn its first commands, rehabilitating a rescue dog, or fine-tuning the skills of a service or therapy dog, your impact reaches far beyond the leash. It’s a world where dedication and compassion meet innovation and skill, where each day is a chance to inspire tails to wag and hearts to leap with joy. So, whether you’re an aspiring trainer or simply a dog lover seeking to explore the incredible possibilities that this field has to offer, remember, the journey may be challenging, but the rewards are as boundless as the love of a loyal canine companion. Get ready to unleash your passion and embark on a career that truly goes to the dogs—in the most fantastic way possible.
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