subject: Are You Interested in a Dog Training Career? [print this page] Are You Interested in a Dog Training Career?
Are you looking for information about a possible dog training career? Do you also have a sense of community and volunteerism? If so, then you may consider working with guide dogs for the blind, deaf, and otherwise disabled. There are many organizations that train and provide such dogs and there are usually many paid and volunteer positions available for anyone interested in a dog training career.
For example, Leader Dogs for the Blind, headquartered in Rochester, Michigan, is one of the first and most respected of these organizations that train and then match leader dogs. Many businesses around their headquarters are used to seeing dogs in training being walked around inside and out. Their trainers are patient, understanding, and very involved with their dog training career and take their responsibilities very seriously. When you consider that it costs about $10,000 for this organization to house, feed, train, and then match just one dog, you understand why! It's also important to note that not all dogs pass their training program, as some are too skittish, playful, or simply don't take direction well. One of the hardest parts of any dog training career is having to "flunk" a dog and return it to its original owner or find a new one rather than match it to a disabled person. However, when you do have a dog finish the training and successfully matched with a disabled person there is no doubt a tremendous sense of accomplishment, knowing that you're going to not only have someone be helped in a significant way for years to come, you also know that this dog will have a loyal friend and companion in their new owner.
To get involved in this type of dog training career you probably need a degree in Guide Dog Mobility. San Francisco University offers such a program and has been graduating students from this Master's program for years, many of which are then matched to an organization that trains guide dogs and helper dogs both.
Of course you don't need a Master's degree for a dog training career; there are many volunteer opportunities available for anyone that loves dogs, is willing to work hard with them, and has unlimited patience and understanding. For example, most organizations that train guide dogs need constant help with fundraising. You may be able to organize and host some type of event that would raise money for them, such as a marathon, dinner, and so on. You may also find that a dog training career involves taking care of the dogs once they're finished with their training for the day. Grooming them, feeding them, and playing with them can be a very satisfying way of knowing that you're doing your part to make sure these dogs are well cared for.
Anyone interested in a dog training career is to be commended, especially if you're considering such a career in order to help someone that is blind or otherwise disabled.
