Assistance dog trainer

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

More Information

• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

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.

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.

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

Career Tips

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

Further Information

You can find out more about becoming an assistance dog trainer from:

• Assistance Dogs UK
• Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
• Guide Dogs
• Dogs for Good
• Canine Partners
• Dog A.I.D.

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

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.