Reached a point in my life were I'm thinking about a complete career change, I have thought about working with dogs, dog training,dog behavior,canine psychology ,canine fitness,nutrition.
Not sure what qualifications are best to go for or who to contact.
I live in Birmingham/Westmidlands and I am not aware of any Colleges that cover any of the above.
Is any one currently working in this field who can give me some advice on where to start.

Hi Craig
Just found a fantastic site on http://surrey.police.uk/aboutus_dogs_item
But if you type in Dog careers on your search engine should come up with a few different ones.
Ali

ALI,
I had a look through the internet, there seems to be quite a few courses available, but what I didn't want to do was waste my time gaining qualifications that are not recognised or not enough for the career I choice, I was hoping there was someone currently working in any of the mentioned fields who could tell me what I really require.

Thanks so much for that site I am looking through it now!

I emailed the club they only train security dogs and detection dogs and that and train police officers they don't train the public or anything?

The animal care collage have a vast range of courses, put that into a search and it should come up, i know david cavill has something to do with them, i am going to do the dog behaver ones theres three in all the biginners, intermidiate, and advance hope this helps you with your search diane

i can recommend the ACC too, I have done several of their courses and found the tutors etc. very helpful. The courses really do challenge you to think, and the tutors have a vast range of experience. They also make you do practical stuff in special studies etc.

There is no real "qualification" to be say, a behaviourist, which is probably why there are bad ones out there, and at the end of the day all the theoretical knowledge in the world isn't worth much unless you have the practical hands on stuff too - even trainiing your own dogs, and attaining a high standard in some area will teach so much.

At the end of the day it is a matter of doing courses, attending workshops and seminars, practical training and maybe shadowing a few behaviourists to work out where you fit in! Experience is the key but it is a bit of a chicken and egg situation, as you can't advise onwers unless you know a fair bit......I do feel that a good balance of theory and practical is the way forward.

The Bishop Burton College does good stuff and courses, distance learning I beieve too, and yo have to attend a few weekends for practical training with Angela White.Anyway I am babbling on a bit, good luck to you :)

LIndsay

Lindsay,
Thank you.

HI Craig,

I am thinking of doing the Bishop Burton course this October and can scan in all the info and send it to you if you wish?

It is a two year HNC and is mainly distance learning with two weeks of practical work onsite with your dog every year

Let me know!

Theresa

I have been speaking toa few people and the consensus is that to become a top dog trainer the best thing to do is become an apprentice to a top ex army or police dog trainer, if you get to know them find out some and impress them they may take you on as an apprentice and if you work hard you will learn the best techniques no cruelty no relying on treats they teach eveyrthing.

There are indeed some quality ex service dog trainers about Nb - but don't lose sight of the fact that it was civilian dog trainers that trained the police and the military in the first place! :)
In this day and age of penny pinching and cost cutting there are now civilian police dog trainers in forces around the country and not all of them are retired handlers! :)

Theresa,
If you could I would be very grateful.
I did a HNC in Telecommunications so I know the HNC is a good qualification.