Have you ever been to a dog show? If yes, you must have seen those skillful dog handlers who take care of the cute, cuddly show dogs?
Most are actually trained professionals who have expertise in the art of handling dogs. Considering the increased number of dog shows and competitions everywhere, dog handling is seen as a profession with great money. As long as you don’t mind a little hard work!
If you enjoy the company of canines, can’t get enough of them and possess an expertise in grooming and keeping these four-footed creatures under control, you can make good money by becoming a professional dog handler.
Essentially, professional dog handlers are hired by dog owners and breeders in dog shows to present their dogs more smartly and stylishly during the championship.
Where to Get Training
Becoming a professional dog handler has nothing to do with years or even months of long trainings and lengthy classes. However, quality exposure with dog shows is a must for this profession – it does not require any formal training. You need to be intuitive and understand dogs better than their owners!
To be trained in this profession, you can work as an apprentice under an expert handler. There are also classes you can take at dog shows and through seasoned professionals like George Alstom. This will help you in acquiring all the important skills of the dog-handling arts.
Things to Consider
Becoming a professional dog trainer is not an easy task. This might make you run on your toes if you do not know much about the behavioural aspects of all dogs and breeds. Not every dog behaves the same way when hungry or displays love in the same manner. One dog can be quiet while another can be too energetic to ever sit quietly! So if you are considering dog handling as a serious career option, here are some helpful tips to get you started:
- To become a top-notch level dog handler, start off by attending puppy classes. These canine training classes will aid you in learning and studying different dog behaviors and mannerisms.
- Your local kennel club can be a great resource to get your started as a handler. Here you can pick all the necessary tricks of dog handling and can also participate regularly in mock dog show practices. Local kennel clubs are known to routinely organize real and mock pet championships.
- Certification is a plus for many handlers, although it is not a requirement. One certification si the Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT), from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. This certificate is provided to a dog handler after succeeding an examination process; you can apply for the exam by making an online application registration in the website of the council.
- Once you are done with the apprenticeship and certification processes, the time comes when you are supposed to make your own mark in this field. And the first step in the process is deciding your charges or price per dog you handle!
- Learn about the typical scale for different services. Handlers ultimately make most of their money by winning. There is usually a flat fee just to walk in the ring and add ons for boarding, grooming, transportation, etc. If you get points the price goes up. If you win breed, it goes up again. If you win in group it goes up again. And a best in show is even more. Once you have done this, your base rates are likely to go up dramatically.
Keeping note of these important factors will help you become a professional dog handler. Always remember that excellent animal communication is the life and soul of this profession. The better you’ll be able to communicate your customers’ dogs, the better you’ll grow as a dog handler.
