Dog Trainer
Teach dogs to follow commands and exhibit appropriate behaviour
Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right now
Job growth
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5-year projection
Salary
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Typical salary
Job satisfaction
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Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right now
Salary
-
Typical salary
Job growth
-
5-year projection
Job satisfaction
-
On this page
- What's it like to be a Dog Trainer?
- How to become a Dog Trainer
- Dog Trainer courses
- Latest Dog Trainer jobs
- Top skills and experience for Dog Trainers
- Dog Trainer role reviews
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.
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
You can become a Dog Trainer without any formal qualifications. However, basic animal training is considered an advantage and will give you a strong foundation to begin your career as 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.
Compare your salary
Find out how your salary compares with the average salary for Dog Trainers.
Latest Dog Trainer jobs on SEEK
Be one of the first to discover these recently listed jobs, or browse all Dog Trainer jobs on SEEK right now.
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Skills and experience employers are looking for
Having the right skills and experience can make you an in-demand applicant. Dog Trainer employers on SEEK are looking for job seekers with expertise in the following areas.
Dog Behaviour
Welfare
Patience
Animal Behaviour
Instructing
Documentation
Hygienic
Group Training
Dog Handling
Open Minded
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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Latest Dog Trainer reviews
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
Read more
Feb 2024
Fun, challenging, extremely rewarding
Experience
10+ years
Organisation size
Small (1-19 employees)
Specialisation
Farming, Animals & Conservation
The good things
The most difficult aspect is owner compliance
The challenges
Having to work after hours to fit with client availability
Read more
Source: SEEK role reviews
SEEK has not verified the truth or accuracy of these comments and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted on this page.SEEK collects and posts the comments for what they are worth and for information purposes only to assist candidates to find employment through www.seek.com.au
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