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Guide Dog Trainer
Animal care

How to become a Guide Dog Trainer

What does a Guide Dog Trainer do?

If you’re looking for a career you can really ‘stay’ (and/or ‘sit’) in, guide dog training could be for you…

Guide Dog Trainers teach dogs to help people with visual impairments get around safely.They’re responsible for looking after dogs during each step of their training – from puppyhood to adulthood. This involves implementing a range of training techniques and routines, which increase in difficulty as the dogs get older and more experienced.

Whether they’re teaching dogs basic obedience skills, familiarising them with human interaction, or matching them with their owner – a Guide Dog Trainer’s role is concerned with every aspect of the dog’s training and performance.

Key skills for a Guide Dog Trainer could include:

  • Developing and implementing training
  • Helping dogs adjust to training routines
  • Assessing dogs’ abilities
  • Walking dogs regularly
  • Preparing dogs for future work with advanced training
  • Matching trained dogs with owners
  • Providing aftercare for both dogs and owners once matched

Is a career as a Guide Dog Trainer right for me?

First things first, you’ll need to be a caring and compassionate animal lover – with an aptitude for giving instructions and rewards (instructions = ‘paw’, rewards = treats).

Your role will become more challenging as the dog moves onto advanced training, so you’ll need to be a good combination of strict and encouraging to ensure dogs are performing at their best abilities.

They might feel like chewing on a toy during lessons, but that won’t be much help to their disabled owner. Think calm yet firm, and you’ll be on the right track to becoming a great Guide Dog Trainer.

Other key skills and attributes for a Guide Dog Trainer include:

  • Patience
  • An understanding of dogs’ behaviour
  • Confidence
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Initiative and adaptability
  • Empathy
  • Persuasiveness

Explore your opportunities

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Career progression and salary expectations for a Guide Dog Trainer

1

Junior Guide Dog Trainer

| Up to £15,000
2

Guide Dog Trainer

| Up to £20,000
3

Training Manager

| Up to £25,000

Get qualified as a Guide Dog Trainer

To become a Guide Dog Trainer, you typically need to have relevant qualifications in animal training or a related field (such as animal care, animal behaviour, veterinary care, or even dog grooming). Experience working with dogs, particularly in training or handling roles, is crucial, and many trainers start as Dog Trainers or in related animal care positions. Additionally, specific training with a recognised guide dog organisation, such as Guide Dogs for the Blind, is often required, which includes hands-on training and mentorship.

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What's it like to be a Guide Dog Trainer?

"My uncle suffers from visual impairments and ever since he got his guide dog, he’s been far more capable of living his life. It was realising the difference they make first-hand that made me decide I wanted to support such a great cause by actually getting involved. So I took a few courses and did some volunteering, and now I’m a fully qualified Guide Dog Trainer. Apart from being incredibly rewarding, it’s also a lot of fun (even when the dogs do decide to test your patience). The biggest challenge for me is not getting too attached – especially when they look at you with puppy dog eyes…"

Guide Dog Trainer jobs

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