Dog Trainer

Question: Do you need a qualification to be a dog trainer?

(Posted by: Catherine J on 2010-02-11 05:59:04)

To be a dog trainer/ behaviourist do you have to have any qualifications.

Posted by: Single Worker 1230 on 2010-02-11, 06:07:26

For a dog trainer...no. To be a dog trainer, you only need alot of knowledge and training in dog training. For a behaviorist, advanced college is required if you want to be a real one. There are many dog trainers who call themselves behaviorists. They really aren't. A real behaviorist has at least a master's degree in animal behavior. some have a veterinary degree as well. This is kind of like the difference between a social worker and a psychiatrist. However both of these have had college. The level of college required are different.

Posted by: EcoGirl0922 on 2010-02-11, 06:05:13

Guide dog training is different from any other kind of training dog. Typical candidates for positions training guide dogs have a college degree in a related field, such as animal behavior. They then spend a three-year apprenticeship with a guide dog school before becoming a full-fledged guide dog trainer/ instructor. The field is extremely competitive. San Francisco State University recently started a masters degree program in Guide Dog Mobility. That is an excellent way to get in the field, but it too is extremely competitive. Basically, though, you need to be an animal lover, not OCD but relaxed and laid back, you need to like people and be comfortable around people with multiple disabilities Experience with dogs and blind people also helps. You can get involved with puppy raising or volunteering with a guide dog school.

Posted by: Keith on 2010-02-11, 06:07:22

If you are doing ot for hire and joe public you better have a degree.

Posted by: T J on 2010-02-11, 06:16:32

Anyone can SAY they are a dog trainer if that is what you mean. If you mean there is some sort of test that you need to take then yes, (well sorta), you will probably find that there will be a trial/ show held near where you live in the not so distant future. In other words the test of your skills as a trainer can be found in the accomplishments of the dogs that you have trained. Behaviorist is a completely different profession, and a behaviorist may or may not be a compitent dog trainer. (some behaviorist spent way to much time reading Dr Spock)

Posted by: CanineTruth on 2010-02-11, 08:26:50

I would certainly think so! No one is just going let some random person off the street work with their animal, especially if the dog's aggressive! Common sense, there. When i look at trainers and behaviorists i look for the same things: years of experience working with dogs, how many dogs they own (have owned) OR have worked with that have been titled (obedience, therapy work, etc), how many MENTORS they have worked under, references from those mentors and a phone number, references from past "clients ", and where they worked prior to branching out on their own. In terms of legality i look for insurance and a business license. I would NEVER allow a fresh out of high school (or college) young adult with zero mentors or real life experience to TOUCH my dog. Not even with a ten foot pole. Period.