I want to be a professional dog handler.How do i start?

Question

I'm 13 and I want to be a dog handler,trainer and breeder when I'm older,but I was wondering how do I start?do I find a experienced dog handler and see if they'll teach me?I know I'm very good with animals and I've always knew I would do something with dogs.I'm pretty sure I want to be a dog handler or maybe a professional attack dog trainer.I love big dogs I have eight( a chow,a great pyrenese,a german shepard,a rottweiler,a boxer,a pit bull,and two mixes)and I've always wanted a neapolitan Mastiff.

anyway,i don't know why i'm saying all this, all i want to know is how do i start?

Answer 1

I suggest that you go to a local dog show and speak with some pro handlers  that are members of the PHA.  Maybe you could choose a couple of breeds that you are interested in and visit those rings to speak with handlers.  There are many handlers that stared in Jr. Showmanship, so they would be able to steer you in the right direction.

Answer 2

I highly recommend volunteering at the local pet shelter.  HAWS.com is a great place to start.  This will not only give you experience and connections but also help you to decide if this is what you really want to do.  

It is lots of work and very difficult both physically and emotionally.  Remember, when you are done training and caring for these animals you have to be ready to give them away and sometime even euthanize them.  

Answer 3

Here is info on becoming involved in handling show dogs and breeding: http://www.akc.org/kids_juniors/index.cf...

As far as dog trainers, you can enroll in a school, such as San Francisco SPCA's Dog Trainer Academy, or apprentice with an established trainer. If you want to specialize in a particular type of training, apprentice with someone who works in the specialty. Take great caution with "attack dog" training, though. There are many people who who use methods that create unstable and unpredictable dogs. And, you are teaching a dog to be aggressive - be prepared to pay an arm and a leg for insurance.

More info on becoming a trainer: http://www.apdt.com/po/career.aspx

Answer 4

Check with your local kennel clubs. Many of them have conformation handling classes. You can show your current dogs in AKC's Jr. Showmanship program (where they judge the handler, not the conformation of the dogs).

You may also want to check out 4-H. They have "showmanship", which is very similar to AKC's Jr. Showmanship program.

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Answer 5

I dont know where u r but Im in Australia.Like u I have always been an animal lover. I dedicated my time to animals and got good results just with my own work.I then got all my qualification in security ans went on to get my dog handling qualification that way. I am qualified with both Detection(sniffer) and protection (attack) dogs. I now work from home with my own dogs.I dont do protection at present as Im working with a sniffer dog.U could also start with courses that give you qualifications in all sorts of areas.

U may want to consider becoming just an obedience trainer for starters and get qualified in that first and go on from there.

Frequent dog show, research the net and ask lots of questions sweetie. Im looking into doing a course,with qualifications that is working with animals and animal energies.Its a spiritual thing but I feel vital to learn.Feel free to email me if you want and ask any questions you want.All the best!

Answer 6

You can start by showing in obedience and getting titles on your dogs.  (if they are purebred and no papers you can still show with an ILP number).  Enroll in an obedience class that teaches for shows.  Take conformation handling classes.  Join a dog club and start showing in jr showmanship.  You can start out by going to fun matches.  The dog Clubs are a great way to "network" with other breeders and handlers.  You will meet someone you can apprenticship with.  A lot of handlers love to mentor enthusiastic young people.  But you will have to prove that you are serious.  

Good luck.