Assistant Dog Trainer Courses
An Assistant Dog Trainer uses various strategies to train dogs in obedience or behaviour modification, working with both pets and service animals.
AI Exposure
Low
Core skills such as social intelligence and complex physical tasks remain beyond the capabilities of current AI.
AI exposure data adapted from Felten, Raj & Seamans (2021). Shortage data sourced from Jobs and Skills Australia (2024).
View all courses
How do I become a Assistant Dog Trainer
Get qualified to work as a Assistant Dog Trainer with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.
ACM20121
Duration
10 weeks - 12 months
Study mode
Apprenticeship, Blended, Distance, On Campus, Online, RPL, Traineeship
Get started as an animal carer with the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care. This nationally recognised training course qualifies you for support roles at animal shelters, kennels, pet shops, and wildlife centres. The course covers: feeding and watering animals, cleaning pens and enclosures, assisting with animal health care, communicating with co-workers, keeping safe at work, assisting with animal enrichment and welfare, providing animal first aid, basic grooming, and much more. Enquire now for the f...
Career opportunities
Duration
10 weeks - 12 months
Study mode
Apprenticeship, Blended, Distance, On Campus, Online, RPL, Traineeship
Find a provider
ACM30122
Duration
7 months - 21 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
Get a job at a pet shop, rescue shelter, or grooming organisation with the ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services. This nationally recognised qualification allows you to choose specialist electives in animal care and welfare, pet grooming, or customer service. Career competencies include: understanding animal behaviour, interacting safely with animals, providing basic animal first aid, communicating with clients and your work team, staying safe at work, ensuring the health and wellbeing of anima...
Career opportunities
Duration
7 months - 21 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
Find a provider
ACM40322
Duration
12 months - 20 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online
The ACM40322 - Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training equips students with essential skills and knowledge to work as animal trainers or practitioners. This qualification is ideal for those interested in animal-assisted services, rehoming, adoption, rehabilitation, or species-specific training. Specialisations include conditioning, training techniques, and interpreting animal behaviour, though they are not mandatory. Graduates are well-prepared for diverse roles that require ethical practice and c...
Career opportunities
Duration
12 months - 20 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online
Find a provider
Estimated fee
From $26,850
The Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour) offers an understanding of the societal and ethical contexts of conservation biology, animal behaviour, and animal welfare. This degree provides training in retrieving, analysing, and evaluating information pertinent to animal behaviour. It also focuses on effectively communicating this information to diverse audiences. This course is ideal for those seeking to gain comprehensive knowledge and skills in animal behaviour within the broader framework of conservatio...
Career opportunities
Estimated fee
From $26,850
Find a provider
View all
Related career opportunities
Browse occupations related to Assistant Dog Trainer.
Common questions
How much does an Assistant Dog Trainer earn?
In Australia, a full time Assistant Dog Trainer generally earns $1,000 per week ($52,000 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.
What are the job opportunities for an Assistant Dog Trainer?
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 Labour Market Insights
How do I become an Assistant Dog Trainer?
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.
Choose a field of study
Browse here online for the latest courses in horse care, animal grooming, equestrian sports, veterinary nursing, animal behaviour, and pet shop management.
All courses
Gain practical skills to work in kennels or catteries, providing love, grooming, and safety to animals. Check your funding eligibility and apply today.
Career opportunities
View all
These courses don’t just teach you how to catch and euthanise stray animals, you will learn underpinning state legislation and local government regulations, safety management approaches, and incident response.
Career opportunities
View all
These nationally recognised qualifications will teach you the finer points of animal behaviour and refine your skills in behaviour correction.
Career opportunities
View all
More information
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.
Courses by location