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Dog training

Are you a Dog Trainer full of passion for dogs & people and based in Essex?

We are looking for volunteers for experienced, talented and positive reinforcement dog trainers with real people skills to help our veterans train our rescue dogs to become assistance dogs!

If you are able to commit to 2 or 4 hours per week over 9 months we would love to hear from you!

This work is highly rewarding and you would be making a real difference to rescue dogs and lives affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

To work as a dog trainer for Service Dogs UK involves working with dogs from rescue and people of all ages, some of whom may have physical or mental health problems.

The role is to train rescue dogs to international assistance dog standards within a target period of 9 months using the structure that is in place and under our guidance. You’d be working alongside other trainers and volunteers, as a team, to get partnerships (Veterans & dogs) up to the required standards.

We require a long-term commitment of at least 9 months for the benefit of both the dog and the veteran.

Our dog ‘teams’ require a degree of stability and continuity so please only consider applying if you feel you are able to commit for at least 9 months.

What you’ll need:

  • Experience in training dogs in a class setting and leading classes
  • You must have great people skills; we work with people with PTSD (vulnerable adults)
  • Be based within easy reach of Essex
  • Commitment to and experience in force-free & positive reward based training
  • Your own car and driving license (we are able to pay travel expenses)
  • Ability to work as a team
  • Good computer skills
  • Desired experience with one to one training (behavioural consulting)
  • Desired training experience of rescue dogs
  • Knowledge of dog care and welfare issues
  • Initiative and a positive attitude
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to coordinate a number of tasks
  • Flexibility in working hours
  • Desired is experience of working with people with a disability or having an understanding of disability

Interested?

Please send your curriculum vitae to getintouch@servicedogsuk.org, listing your contact details, dog training experience, employment/volunteering history, education & courses, any qualifications, skills, interests.

What kind of training we do?

To create a strong bond between dog and veteran you need trust and respect, therefore we use fun, empowerment, positive methods as tools to train our dogs.  This not only benefits the dog but equally the veteran – it makes everyone feel happier, motivated and provides essential life skills. We never train using force or punishment.

Training should be fun, we want dogs to figure “stuff” out themselves, learn with pleasure in safe, caring and fun environments and delight in going to training… and they do! It means the relationship between a dog and veteran is stronger, reliable and is a partnership where the dog chooses to be of a support.

Dogs, all dogs, are precious and as an organisation, we are the guardians of these special unique and individual beings – every choice we make is with this in mind; they deserve understanding, kindness, patience, respect and a great stimulating life filled with love.

By donating your professional skills to this worthwhile cause you will develop and add to your existing skill set, learn new ones and expand your experience in training assistance dogs plus we will provide you with specialised initial and ongoing training and support.