Social ServiceISCO 5164
Dog trainer
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.
Check yourself in a minute: dog trainer
Rate 5 of the 18 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
treat animals ethically
provide first aid to animals
apply animal hygiene practices
assess animal behaviour
provide animal training
About dog trainer
As a dog trainer, you will work with animals and their handlers to develop skilled, well-behaved companions for a variety of purposes including assistance work, security, competition, leisure, and education. Your daily activities involve assessing dog behavior, creating tailored training programs, conducting training sessions, and monitoring animal welfare throughout the process. You will need to understand canine physiology, anatomy, and behavior patterns to communicate effectively with dogs and adapt your methods to individual learning styles. Working in compliance with Polish animal welfare legislation, you will also educate handlers on proper animal care, health management, and the ethical treatment of animals. This role offers the satisfaction of transforming dog-handler relationships while maintaining high standards of animal welfare and ensuring both safety and positive outcomes.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a dog trainer.
1
Canine Behavior Assessment and Evaluation
- Assess canine behavior patterns and temperament to identify training needs and potential issues
- Observe signs of animal illness or distress and refer to veterinarians when necessary
- Document behavioral assessments and progress throughout training programs
- Identify behavioral triggers and develop strategies to address problem behaviors
2
Dog Training Program Development and Execution
- Design customized training programs for specific purposes including obedience, assistance, security, and competition
- Conduct structured training sessions using positive reinforcement and ethical techniques
- Implement exercise activities appropriate to breed, age, and training stage
- Train both dogs and handlers to work effectively together as a team
3
Animal Welfare and Health Management
- Monitor animal welfare throughout training and ensure compliance with animal welfare legislation
- Provide first aid to animals when necessary and maintain knowledge of common canine health issues
- Apply biosecurity practices and animal hygiene procedures to prevent disease transmission
- Protect handler health and safety when working with animals, including bite prevention
4
Handler Education and Advisory Services
- Advise handlers on animal welfare, proper nutrition, and ongoing care requirements
- Teach handlers reinforcement techniques and training methods for continued success at home
- Provide guidance on breed characteristics and appropriate uses of trained dogs
5
Specialized Training for Various Purposes
- Train dogs for assistance work including service dog and therapy dog programs
- Develop security and protection training programs for guard dogs
- Prepare dogs for competition and entertainment purposes according to specific standards
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (18)
biosecurity related to animalsbiosecurity related to animalsAwareness of hygiene and bio-security measures when working with animals, including causes, transmission and prevention of diseases and use of policies, materials and equipment.animal welfare legislationanimal welfare legislationThe 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.animal welfareanimal welfareUniversally 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 behav...physiology of animalsphysiology of animalsThe study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.anatomy of animalsanatomy of animalsThe study of animal body parts, their structure and dynamic relationships, on a level as demanded by the specific occupation.animal behaviouranimal behaviourThe natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.treat animals ethicallytreat animals ethicallyCarry out activities according to accepted principles of right and wrong, including transparency in work practices and conduct towards clients and their animals.provide first aid to animalsprovide first aid to animalsAdminister 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 ...protect health and safety when handling animalsprotect health and safety when handling animalsProtect health and welfare of animals and their handlers.apply animal hygiene practicesapply animal hygiene practicesPlan 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,...assess animal behaviourassess animal behaviourObserve 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.'.provide animal trainingprovide animal trainingProvide 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.advise on animal welfareadvise on animal welfarePrepare 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 reduced. Provide recommenda...train animals and individuals to work togethertrain animals and individuals to work togetherTrain 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 t...implement exercise activities for animalsimplement exercise activities for animalsProvide exercise opportunities that are suitable for respective animals and meet their particular physical requirements.'.provide an enriching environment for animalsprovide an enriching environment for animalsProvide an enriching environment for animals to allow the expression of natural behaviour, and including adjusting environmental conditions, delivering feeding and puzzle exercises, and implementing m...monitor the welfare of animalsmonitor the welfare of animalsMonitor 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...signs of animal illnesssigns of animal illnessPhysical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.
Optional (17) — show
advise on care products for petsadvise on care products for petsProvide advice on basic care products, such as supplements and vitamins, that can be used on various types of pets.advise customers on appropriate pet careadvise customers on appropriate pet careProvide information to customers on how to feed and care for pets, appropriate food choices, vaccination needs, etc.evaluate dogsevaluate dogsAssess 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 approach, etc.bathe dogsbathe dogsPrepare dog by removing excess hair, knots and tangles. Bathe and clean a dog’s coat and skin.design training programmes for individuals and animalsdesign training programmes for individuals and animalsDevelop 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.provide nutrition to animalsprovide nutrition to animalsProvide food and water to animals. This includes preparing food and water for animals and reporting any changes in the animal feeding or drinking habits.'.assess the compatibility of individuals and animals to work togetherassess the compatibility of individuals and animals to work togetherEnsure work harmony between humans and animals, regarding to physical characteristics, capacity, temperament and potential.advise on animal purchaseadvise on animal purchaseAdvise clients and customers on the purchase of animals.assist in transportation of animalsassist in transportation of animalsAssist 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 transpor...assess animal's conditionassess animal's conditionInspect the animal for any external signs of parasites, disease or injury. Use this information to determine own actions and report your findings to owners.make decisions regarding the animal's welfaremake decisions regarding the animal's welfareMake a choice from several alternative possibilities that promote the animal's well-being.design plans to address undesirable behaviour in animalsdesign plans to address undesirable behaviour in animalsGather 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...create animal recordscreate animal recordsCreate animal records according to industry relevant information and using appropriate record keeping systems.maintain animal accommodation hygienicmaintain animal accommodation hygienicMake 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.develop an animal handling strategydevelop an animal handling strategyDevelop plans and strategies to deal with the animal in order to achieve established goals and optimal results.'.work with veterinarianswork with veterinariansConsult veterinarians and assist them in the examination and nursing of animals.select therapy animalsselect therapy animalsIdentify the right animal with the right temperament appropriate for the therapy.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
animal trainer17 shared essential skillshorse trainer17 shared essential skillsanimal behaviourist15 shared essential skillsanimal care attendant15 shared essential skillsanimal handler15 shared essential skillsgeneral veterinarian13 shared essential skillsalternative animal therapist12 shared essential skillsanimal groomer12 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What 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.
What skills does a dog trainer need?
A dog trainer needs 18 essential skills, including biosecurity related to animals, animal welfare legislation, animal welfare, physiology of animals, anatomy of animals.
Will AI replace dog trainer jobs?
The AI disruption score for dog trainer is 13/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: create animal records, animal welfare legislation, anatomy of animals. Most resilient: bathe dogs, train animals and individuals to work together, treat animals ethically.
AI Replacement Risk
13/ 100
Very Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
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