Dog trainer
Dog trainer or dog educator is the job title for people who deal with communication between dogs and their owners. It is not officially recognized as a profession, and there are no minimum training requirements.
job profile
term
There is neither a regulated training nor state-recognized diplomas for dog trainers. The designation is also not a protected term or profession, so that from a legal point of view anyone can call themselves a dog trainer.
The dog trainer's field of activity is the upbringing of dogs with the assistance of the dog owner and training for dog sports . Differences should be made to the animal trainer who trains the dog for very specific areas, for example for appearing in films and television.
Dog trainers can, for example, have their own dog school or work in an association.
Area of responsibility
The tasks of a dog trainer are extensive and are largely subject to the current demand on the owner market. In addition to the classic obedience training (in individual or group lessons, mostly divided according to age), dog sports courses such as agility , obedience or mantrailing are gaining in popularity.
Other tasks of a dog trainer can be, for example, instructing dog owners, giving advice before buying a dog, giving advice on educational work or holding seminars and training other dog trainers.
Education and training, certification in Germany
There is no standardized training to become a dog trainer. Since the name is not protected, the names dog trainer and similar names such as dog trainer , dog psychologist or cyno pedagogue may be used by anyone without restriction. The Animal Welfare Act stipulates in Section 11 that anyone who wants to train dogs commercially for third parties or who want to instruct the dog owner to train them requires permission from the competent authority.
The working group on dog ownership in the German Association of Veterinarians (BTK) has developed a comprehensive test that is to be used as a basis for the certification of dog trainers. The test was introduced in 2007 as a pilot project in Schleswig-Holstein and is offered there by the State Veterinary Chamber with the support of the Ministry of the Interior. Certification by an authority is intended to guarantee the objectivity of the test without having to be a member of an interest group. There are now test regulations for dog trainers that are to apply nationwide.
Since 2007 the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) Potsdam has been offering an IHK certificate course with 312 theory hours and 500 practical hours on "dog educators and behavioral advisors IHK / BHV" in cooperation with the professional association of dog educators and behavioral advisors. The BHV takes on the practical training of the participants, the IHK takes care of the theory. This course is not a state training, but the cooperation of a professional association with the IHK, to which the IHK contributes its expertise in the commercial area. There are still no state training courses in this area and they are not in sight in the foreseeable future.
Working techniques and tools
Many dog trainers use various techniques that have shaped behavioral researchers or other trainers. There is no ideal training model for all circumstances; the training must be tailored to the individual situation of the dog and the dog handler.
Different aids are used in training. They serve to control the dog, to communicate with him or to practice certain behavior. However, there are also techniques that work without aids.
Web links
- Lower Saxony dog trainer certification (PDF; 50 kB) - Examination regulations for professional proof of competence - Certification by the Lower Saxony Veterinary Association (version of June 17, 2015, with an update of the list of literature from April 30, 2012)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Animal Welfare Act Section 11 (TierSchG Section 11 Paragraph 1 No. 8f)
- ↑ Archive of the corresponding website of the Veterinary Association from 2007 ( Memento from May 14, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
- ^ Veterinary Chamber Schleswig-Holstein: Dog trainer certification DOQ - Test PRO
- ↑ Nationwide uniform tests for all things dog
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↑ Archive: Concept and course content "Dog Educator and Behavioral Advisor (IHK / BHV)" ( Memento of the original from March 3, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. As of 2008
- IHK Potsdam: Dog educators and behavioral consultants (IHK) ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
