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Assistance dog trainer
Dog training and behaviour adviser
Assistance dog trainers and instructors train dogs that help people to maintain their independence, like guide dogs.
Average salary (a year)
£16000
Starter
£28000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
35.0 to 40.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends
occasionally
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a college course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role; applying directly
College
You could do a course at college which may give you some of the skills and knowledge needed to do this job.
Courses include
Level 1 or 2 Diploma in Animal Care, T Level in Animal Care and Management
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
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
Apprenticeship
You may be able to start by doing an intermediate apprenticeship as an animal care and welfare assistant.
With experience, you could move onto an animal trainer 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
Work
You could get into this job by starting as a kennel worker then move on to training dogs and working with their owners.
Volunteering
You could gain 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.
Direct Application
You can apply directly for jobs if you've got some experience of working with dogs.
You'll need
knowledge of basic dog handling and positive training techniques, understanding of the issues faced by disabled people
Depending on the people they support, some employers may also ask for more specific skills like
sign language when working with deaf people, experience of teaching or instructing people, knowledge of specific conditions like epilepsy, dementia, sight loss or autism
More Information
Further Information
You can find out more about becoming an assistance dog trainer from:Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Dogs for Good, Canine Partners, Dog A.I.D., Assistance Dogs UK
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    The ability to work on your own
    Customer service skills
    The ability to work well with others
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    Knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
    Thinking and reasoning skills
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Related Restrictions
be over 18 years of age
have a full driving licence
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
In this job, you'll
work with volunteers who foster puppies and young dogs, assess dogs to go forward for training, train dogs to the standards required, match dogs to new owners, train dogs and owners together, provide aftercare and support for owners and their dogs, keep accurate records
Working environment
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.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience you could become an area team supervisor, training manager or regional manager.
You could move into related jobs like veterinary nurse or RSPCA inspector.
You could also set up your own business and provide services like dog behaviour classes or private dog training.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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