Service Dog Trainer Requirements

Most Service Dog programs have a two to three year apprentice training program. Shorter programs might be able to train a Service Dog in general. They can not fully train an individual to deal with different temperament dogs. It is unlikely that you can learn to place a dog with a disabled individual in this amount of time as well as have knowledge of many different disabilities.

The fact is a lot of people inquire about this every day. There are many people applying for limited positions. If you’re interested in cleaning poop, running errands, filling out paperwork, shoveling snow and everything else involved producing Service Dogs, take the time to find an opening.

                                     

Generally, programs look for a person with a practical, common sense attitude toward dogs. Like most employers, programs are looking for positive, enthusiastic team players with good people skills. A good instructor candidate is patient and genuinely interested in helping people. A willingness to work long and hard, get dirty and do whatever needs to be done to accomplish the program’s goals are a must. Each program has it’s own policies and procedures relating to dog training, client selection, team training and follow-up.