Dog Trainer Personal Service Workers
SaveWhat Does a Dog Trainer Do?
Dog trainers train animals and/or dog handlers for general and specific purposes, including assistance, security, leisure, competition, transportation, obedience and routine handling, entertainment and education, in accordance with national legislation.
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Where Do I Start?
Animal Welfare
Universally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Dog Trainer
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialAnimal Welfare knowledge
Universally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit …
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EssentialAnimal Welfare Legislation knowledge
The legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialDog Behaviour knowledge
Natural behavioural patterns of dogs, how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to dog breeds, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.
Recommended Books
2 booksMy Dog, My Way! -
EssentialBiosecurity Related To Animals knowledge
Awareness of hygiene and bio-security measures when working with animals, including causes, transmission and prevention of diseases and use of policies, materials and equipment.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialSigns Of Animal Illness knowledge
Physical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAnatomy Of Animals knowledge
The study of animal body parts, their structure and dynamic relationships, on a level as demanded by the specific occupation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAnimal Behaviour knowledge
The natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialPhysiology Of Animals knowledge
The study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAdvise On Animal Welfare skill
Prepare and provide information to individuals or groups of people on how to promote the health and well-being of animals, and how risks to animal health and welfare may be …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssess Animal Behaviour skill
Observe and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialImplement Exercise Activities For Animals skill
Provide exercise opportunities that are suitable for respective animals and meet their particular physical requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Animal Hygiene skill
Plan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals, communicate site …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor The Welfare Of Animals skill
Monitor animals' physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of food and water …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProtect Health And Safety When Handling Animals skill
Protect health and welfare of animals and their handlers.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProvide An Enriching Environment For Animals skill
Provide an enriching environment for animals to allow the expression of natural behaviour, and including adjusting environmental conditions, delivering feeding and puzzle exercises, and implementing manipulation, social, and training activities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProvide Animal Training skill
Provide training in basic handling, habituation, and obedience to enable the completion of day-to-day tasks while minimising the risks to the animal, the handler, and others.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProvide First Aid To Animals skill
Administer emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians prior to first-aid …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTreat Animals Ethically skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialImplement Training Programmes For Animals skill
Implement training programmes for animals for basic training purposes or to meet specific objectives, following a developed training programme, and reviewing and recording progress against set objectives.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTrain Animals And Individuals To Work Together skill
Train animals and individuals to work together, including the match between individuals and animals, the design of integrated training programmes for people and animals, implementation of integrated training programmes, evaluation …
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 17 displayed)
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OptionalAdvise Customers On Appropriate Pet Care skill
Provide information to customers on how to feed and care for pets, appropriate food choices, vaccination needs, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAdvise On Animal Purchase skill
Advise clients and customers on the purchase of animals.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAssess Animal's Condition skill
Inspect the animal for any external signs of parasites, disease or injury. Use this information to determine own actions and report your findings to owners.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAssist In Transportation Of Animals skill
Assist with the transportation of animals, including the loading and unloading of animals, the preparation of the transport vehicle, and maintaining the wellbeing of the animal throughout the transport process.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate Animal Records skill
Create animal records according to industry relevant information and using appropriate record keeping systems.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop An Animal Handling Strategy skill
Develop plans and strategies to deal with the animal in order to achieve established goals and optimal results.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Animal Accommodation skill
Make sure animal enclosures such as habitats, terrariums, cages or kennels are in the appropriate and hygienic condition. Clean the enclosure and provide new bedding material if called for.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMake Decisions Regarding The Animal's Welfare skill
Make a choice from several alternative possibilities that promote the animal's well-being.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProvide Nutrition To Animals skill
Provide food and water to animals. This includes preparing food and water for animals and reporting any changes in the animal feeding or drinking habits.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork With Veterinarians skill
Consult veterinarians and assist them in the examination and nursing of animals.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAdvise Customers On Usage Of Care Products For Pets skill
Provide advice on basic care products, such as supplements and vitamins, that can be used on various types of pets.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAssess The Compatibility Of Individuals And Animals To Work Together skill
Ensure work harmony between humans and animals, regarding to physical characteristics, capacity, temperament and potential.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalBathe Dogs skill
Prepare dog by removing excess hair, knots and tangles. Bathe and clean a dog's coat and skin.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDesign Plans To Address Undesirable Behaviour In Animals skill
Gather information about the animal behaviour issues, interpret relevant information about the animal, assess the impact of external factors, and assess husbandry/management practices on the animal to develop a plan …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDesign Training Programmes For Individuals And Animals skill
Develop programmes to train humans and animals work together. Set objectives and targets. Evaluate the implementation of the training programme and progress by both the person and animal concerned.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEvaluate Dogs skill
Assess whether certain dogs are ready to work as a guide dog or not, whether certain dogs should be withdrawn from the training programme, need extra training or a different …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSelect Therapy Animals skill
Identify the right animal with the right temperament appropriate for the therapy.
Course recommendations coming soon.