Dog Trainer
Teach dogs to follow commands and exhibit appropriate behaviour
Job opportunities
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Jobs on SEEK right now
Job growth
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Projected job growth in 5 years
Salary
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Typical salary
Job satisfaction
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What's it like to be a Dog Trainer?
A Dog Trainer is an individual who uses their knowledge of animal behaviour to teach dogs to obey their owner’s commands and/or exhibit appropriate behaviour. Dog Trainers are usually patient people who have a genuine affection for, and interest in, animals. They also need to have a solid understanding of different dog breeds and their characteristics and how these may impact their behaviour.
Tasks and duties
- Conducting training sessions to teach dogs to socialise and to obey specific commands from their owner such as sitting, staying or coming when called.
- Teaching owners how to handle their animal’s behaviour and to obey verbal and non-verbal commands.
- Advising owners on how to establish good habits and discourage problematic behaviour.
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Many Dog Trainers conduct group sessions for six to eight weeks at a time with the same group of animals and owners.
How to become a Dog Trainer
- Explore opportunities to gain knowledge through on-the-job training by working as an assistant to a professional trainer or by joining a local dog obedience club.
- Consider relevant animal training and care qualifications, such as a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training (22542VIC) or a Certificate III in Animal Care Services (ACM30122). These courses usually include classroom and practical experience.
- If you intend to establish your own dog training business and conduct sessions in a park, you’ll need to ensure you have relevant permits from your local council.
- There are many career pathways for Dog Trainers, such as working as a detection/defence dog trainer for police, customs or defence force work, or training animals for the film and television industry.
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Latest Dog Trainer jobs on SEEK
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Location
AustraliaTop skills and experience requested in recent job ads
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Animal ScienceDog HandlingCompanion Animal ServicesDog BehaviourWorking with FamiliesPet CareAnimal BehaviourPatienceOpen MindedSense of HumourSkills listed in your SEEK Profile
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Is Dog Trainer the right role for me?
Job market trends for Dog Trainers
Location
AustraliaProjected job growth
National increase over next 5 years
2021
2026
Source: National Skills Commission. Animal Attendants and Trainers
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK role reviews
Latest Dog Trainer reviews
Latest reviews from 3 Dog Trainers surveyed on SEEK.
All
Positive
Negative
May 2021
Dog Training is hard but incredibly rewarding
Reviewer's Qualification
Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services
Experience
10+ years
Organisation size
Small (1-19 employees)
Specialisation
Anxiety
The good things
Helping dogs overcome behavioural issues is the most rewarding feeling ever
The challenges
Sometimes you can't help them and their behaviour can lead to euthanasia
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May 2021
Dog Trainer the good and the bad
Experience
5 – 9 years
Organisation size
Medium (20-199 employees)
Specialisation
Reactive dogs
The good things
Helping owners with tough situations improve their relationships with their animals
The challenges
Not getting biten, and making tough decisions for some animals
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Source: SEEK role reviews
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data