Work Based Learning role description:
The Gundog Training Instructor
The Gundog Training Instructor has acquired on the job vocational training in training
dogs on a one to one basis, whether this is as a full or part-
The emphasis on the Gundog Training Instructor is one of training the owner to train the dog rather than training the dog themselves, as such the emphasis is on experience in people skills. The Gundog Training Instructor will be an experienced Gundog Trainer.
The Gundog Training Instructor needs to have in-
Administration and planning skills are essential as part of the role involves session planning and booking in clients.
The Work Based Learning Path to being a Gundog Training Instructor
In order to become a competent Gundog Training Instructor you must first of all be able to competently train a gundog yourself and give instruction to a dog owner on training their own gundog. This could be on a one to one basis or in a class situation and the training experience can be in any discipline.
You need to have worked alongside an experienced instructor as an assistant trainer. Only when you have been an assistant trainer and have been mentored whilst training dogs should you start instructing on your own.
Dog Trainer
Gundog Trainer
Assistant trainer
Ancillary Work Based Learning Skills
As well as being an established Gundog Trainer, the candidate may also have a plethora of other dog training skills, attended many courses and achieved many awards on a personal basis with their own dogs.
They may have qualifications outside of the Dog Training arena that contribute to their competence, confidence and skill as a Gundog Trainer and, under the Work Based Learning ethos, these should be acknowledged and recognised as achievements to date within the profession.
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Minimum vocational training requirements |
As a dog trainer |
As a dog Training instructor |
As a Professional trainer |
As a Gundog trainer |
As a Gundog instructor |
Dogs handled |
Total number of hours required |
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Theory / academic knowledge |
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Reading for interest |
150 |
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200 |
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350 |
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Watching DVDs |
50 |
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50 |
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100 |
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Coursework |
250 |
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100 |
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350 |
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Practical experience / courses attended |
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Courses attended |
100 |
100 |
100 |
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300 |
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Indvidual dogs trained |
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150 |
(150 dogs) |
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Breeds handled - |
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20 |
(20 breeds) |
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Drives participated in |
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50 |
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(50 drives) |
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Different shoots attended |
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3 |
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(3 shoots) |
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Teaching |
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Adult dog classes |
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100 |
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100 |
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Puppy classes |
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50 |
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50 |
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On- |
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100 |
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100 |
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Mentored learning |
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Observation of / attending training / classes |
150 |
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150 |
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Instructed learning one- |
200 |
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200 |
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Teaching assistant: adult dog classes |
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50 |
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50 |
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100 |
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Teaching assistant: puppy classes |
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100 |
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100 |
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900 |
250 |
350 |
250 |
150 |
150 |
1900 |
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Overview of minimum skills and experience required: The Gundog Training Instructor will be an experienced Gundog Dog Trainer. As such the minimum skills and experience required apply. | ||
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Theoretical |
Practical |
Operational |
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How people learn / different learning styles Indicators of stress in people Human body language How to motivate Both at a group level and individually Teaching skills Both at a group level and individually Communication skills Verbally (in person and over the phone) Written Active listening Both at a group level and individually Presentation skills Man management skills Time management skills Administration skills |
How people learn Indicators of stress in people Human body language How to motivate Both at a group level and individually Teaching skills Both at a group level and individually Communication skills Verbally (in person and over the phone) Written Active listening Both at a group level and individually Presentation skills Man management skills Time management skills Administration skills |
Spatial awareness when training Awareness of other dogs, handlers or objects in the area whilst working with a dog so as not to stress the dog by banging into things or moving across the path of another dog. Environmental awareness when training A high awareness of events happening during training is crucial, for example knowing who is coming into the area and with what. Continuity When training you need to be aware of change as and when it happens and be able to deal with it, for example if a dog is brought for training one week wearing a soft collar and a harness the next |
Reflective Learning
As a dog training instructor, of any kind whether that’s club or professional, adult dogs or puppies, we are constantly evaluating what we are doing when we are doing it.
We start training an exercise and modify what we are doing depending upon the response we get from the owner & dog we are training. Sometimes we change their position, the dog’s position, the motivating force (toy, food etc.,) or the equipment used. As a dog training instructor we just call that teaching, however, in the work based learning arena it’s called being a “reflective practitioner”.
It is imperative that dog training instructors realise that they are reflecting back; not only with the relationship they have in front of them but of past cases and dogs they’ve worked with. A dog training instructor cannot progress without this aspect of experiential learning, it would be impossible as no two owners are the same and neither are their dogs and no two will react in the same manner.
Although we do it automatically, the importance of reflection in learning at work
and awareness of the process, needs to be acknowledged for an individual to be able
to carry out any kind of self-
Technical and textbook knowledge, though important, is insufficient to prepare individuals
to be practising professionals. Knowing how or “knowing-
Knowing-
When something untoward does happen it is likely to reflect on what’s going on in
the midst of the activity itself. It is a consequence of this process that is known
as “reflection-
To be able to put into practice these reflective skills, both during and after the action, is what makes you a truly reflective practitioner.
Donald Schon (1983, 1987)
Comparative Assessment elements:
In general an Animal Behaviour Degree will average 1800 hrs study time on wild animals and some domestic species. Dog specific theory is generally taught at less than 5% of the entire degree and rarely by a dog expert but by a teacher who has no practical experience. Animal behaviour degrees are not an expertise level in dog behaviour, training, theory or otherwise.
All vocational learning in canine work-
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Accomplishments and Qualifications | |
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Training course providers |
Personal (Work Based) Achievements |
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Cambridge Institute for Dog Behaviour & Training Animal Care College Guide dog training National Association of Security Dog Users Home Office police dog training The British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers Other courses are also available |
KC Competition obedience KC Beginner KC Novice KC A B C comp- KC Agility KC Working Trials UD/UDX CD/CDX WD/WDX KC Field Trials KC Bloodhound Trials KC Herding Tests Search & Rescue Cert KC Accredited Instructor |
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The Kennel Club (KC) standards are some of the best in the world and to compete and win is an acknowledgement comparable with other high standards of training knowledge as in the horse world and international competitive events. | |
