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An Assistant Dog Trainer uses a range of training strategies to get dogs to follow commands or do specific duties. You might also work with dogs to eliminate negative behaviour or address a particular issue. You might train one dog at a time or work with dogs in a group setting. Your role might be with domestic pets or service animals like security dogs or assistance animals.
Assistant Dog Trainers need to have excellent dog handling skills but should also be good at communicating with people. You’ll often have to share your knowledge with dog owners or handlers and you might work as part of a larger team. Being an Assistant Dog Trainer can be physically demanding and you might work irregular hours or on weekends. You’ll need to be patient and have a good understanding of animal behaviour.
In Australia, a full time Assistant Dog Trainer generally earns $960 per week ($49,920 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.
There’s been an increase in the number of dog handlers and trainers in recent years. There are currently 1,100 people in this industry in Australia and many of them work as Assistant Dog Trainers. This type of work can be found in all areas of Australia.
Source: Australian Government Job Outlook 2020
A Certificate III in Animal Studies is a great qualification to have if you want to work as an Assistant Dog Trainer. You might be able to specialise in a particular area of interest and will learn about all aspects of animal health, nutrition and hygiene.
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Here are some potential career pathways within animal training. Click on an occupation to learn more about the role and the qualifications that can help you get started in this industry.
Animal Training
Apprentice Animal Trainer
$960 weekly pay
Assistant Dog Trainer
Animal Behaviourist
$1,250 weekly pay
Animal Trainer
Dog Trainer
Learn more about Assistant Dog Trainer courses in your area.