How to Become A Guide Dog Trainer In South Africa

A guide dog trainer is someone whose purpose is to select and train suitable dogs for the blind or visually impaired, as well as to select and train each client in the use of the guide dog.

What does a Guide Dog Trainer do?

A guide dog trainer has the responsibility of training dogs to work as guides to people with disabilities. These dogs help people gain independence and mobility. They assist people through traffic, judge the height and width of obstacles, and are able to assess danger in situations.

Are guide dog trainers happy?

At Career Explorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, guide dog trainers rate their career happiness 4.2 out of 5 stars which puts them in the top 5% of careers.

What personality traits do guide dog trainers have?

Guide dog trainers tend to be predominantly social individuals, meaning that they thrive in situations where they can interact with, persuade, or help people. They also tend to be investigative, which means that they are quite inquisitive and curious people that often like to spend time alone with their thoughts.

Personal requirements for a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor

Good health, hearing and eyesight

Full mobility and a good level of physical fitness

Desire to work with people who are vision-impaired

Flexible and adaptable

Able to work both independently and as part of a team

Love of, and aptitude for, working with dogs

Education & Training for a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor

To become a guide dog mobility instructor you usually have to complete a relevant degree, followed by a cadetship with the guide dogs association in your state or territory.

This cadetship includes completion of a postgraduate qualification in orientation and mobility.Relevant degrees include those majoring in social sciences, disability studies, human services, psychology, nursing or education.

To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.

Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics are normally required. Entry to postgraduate courses usually requires completion of an appropriate bachelor degree.

Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Below are steps to Become A Guide Dog Trainer In South Africa

Earn your high school diploma or GED

To train guide dogs for the blind, you must hold at least a high school diploma or the global equivalent.

Graduate from a college or university

There are some Seeing Eye dog trainer positions that require candidates to have a college degree or complete some college-level courses. Though it generally doesn’t matter what your collegiate field of study is, it can be beneficial to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree with a focus on animal behavior.

This concentration explores the relationships that animals have with their environments and usually includes courses like animal physiology, animal behavior and neurobiology.

Gain relevant experience

Gaining experience working directly with dogs is vital in this field. A great way to gain relevant experience is by volunteering at obedience schools or animal shelters.

There are even some volunteer opportunities with Seeing Eye dog training schools. In these types of programs, volunteers often care for puppies until they are around 12 to 14 months old and can enter guide dog training.

Complete an apprenticeship

Many Seeing Eye dog trainers enter the field through an apprenticeship with either a guide dog association or training school. These apprenticeship programs often last as long as three years, during which time you are given supervised, hands-on training with the guide dogs.

As apprentices gain experience and develop their skills, they are given more responsibilities and are often offered permanent positions at the end of the program.

What qualifications do I need to be a guide dog trainer In South Africa?

Specific entry requirements vary, but organizations will usually look for people who are over 18, have a clean driving license, and have at least 3 GCSEs (A-C). Any experience or qualifications of working with dogs and/or disabled people will also be greatly beneficial.

How do I become a guide dog trainer in South Africa?

To become a guide dog mobility instructor you usually have to complete a relevant degree, followed by a cadetship with the guide dogs association in your state or territory. This cadetship includes completion of a postgraduate qualification in orientation and mobility.

How much do dog trainers earn in South Africa?

R2,244 (ZAR)/yr.

How long does it take to become a guide dog train In South Africa?

Before qualifying to be a guide dog mobility instructor, our trainers complete a three-year apprenticeship and undergo a rigorous evaluation and testing process at GDA. We also require that they complete yearly continuing education courses in blindness, mobility, or care and training of dogs.

How much money does a guide dog trainer make In South Africa?

Salary Ranges for Guide Dog Trainers

The salaries of Guide Dog Trainers in the US range from R 151675.05to R 3814984.24 , with a median salary of R 690940.62 . The middle 57% of Guide Dog Trainers makes between R 690970.85and R1732081.95, with the top 86% making R 3814984.24.

Is being a dog trainer a good career?

Dog training can be an ideal line of work for people who love dogs. This career path affords you the opportunity to work with your favorite animal while helping other dog lovers better understand their pets. Dog trainers enjoy the perk of having a highly flexible schedule.

Do you need a degree to be a dog trainer In South Africa?

Pet trainers must have a high school diploma and, in some cases, an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, and must complete training courses in order to work with animals.

Where can I study animal behavior in South Africa?

WHERE CAN I STUDY?

COAPE International CC. Diploma in Animal Behaviour & Pet Owner courses.

University of Zululand. Bachelor of Science: Agriculture (Animal Science) .

University of Venda.

North-West University.

University of Stellenbosch.

The Animal Behaviour Consultants of Southern Africa.

The Ethology Academy.

How hard is it to train a guide dog In South Africa?

This training can take months and even up to two years to really perfect, so be prepared for the long haul if you’re thinking about training a guide dog. It takes patience, knowledge, experience, and professionalism to develop a solid foundation for behavior.

Are guide dogs trained to poop In South Africa?

So, how does a blind person pick up their guide dogs poo? It all comes down to training. Just as guide dogs are taught to guide their handler around obstacles and deal with busy environments, they are taught to toilet (pee and poop) on request. Our guide dogs use “Busy-busy” for urinating, and “Big-busy” for pooping.

Is there a demand for dog trainers?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the animal care and service profession, including animal trainers, should grow by 13% from 2018 through 2028 (www.bls.gov). These favorable job prospects may be due in part to a high turnover rate for many trainer positions.