What does a dog handler do?

If you're active in the dog breeding community, you should know a lot about dog shows. A dog show is a great opportunity to show off your kennel and attract new customers and buyers, too. If you're thinking about participating in a dog show, or you're just a dog lover trying to find a job that has something to do with dogs, you should learn a bit more about a dog handler and his job.

What is a dog handler?

According to ZipRecruiter, a dog handler, in general, is "a professional who provides training and care for dogs. A dog handler sometimes doubles as a dog walker, promoting physical activity for the dog."

They also say that dog handlers replenish food and water, conduct training to reinforce learning, and communicate with the client about changes in their dog’s health, behavior, or training needs. Dog handlers play an integral role in the dog’s overall health, spending many hours each week cleaning, training, walking, and bonding with the dog.

Dog behavior: Anger management

In terms of dog shows, a professional dog handler is a person who trains, conditions and shows dogs in dog shows.

What skills does a dog handler need?

If you want to become a dog handler, you should earn your high school diploma. If you want to earn some more education for this job, you should pursue a college degree in majors like animal training.

As for the required skill set you need to have to become a dog handler or skills you should try to find in a handler you will work with, it can be:

• basic obedience
• positive reinforcement techniques
• reward systems
• operant conditioning training techniques
• handling dogs with clicker training
• voice commands
• maintains high expectations
• ability to recognize behavioral signals
• persuasiveness
• handle stressful situations well

Source: The Balance Careers

How a dog handler can help you?

Dog handlers are mostly hired by a dog owner or a dog breeder. Handlers sometimes completely handle everything about the dog's performance on the show and completely take over the owner's role.

Hiring a professional is especially good for breeders and owners who don't have time to dedicate to dog training and participating in dog shows. It can be such a time-saver and if you pick the right dog handler, you can expect good performance on the shows.

How often should you train your dog?

Interested in hiring a dog handler or offering your dog handling services? Register on our online platform GogoDogo for everything dog-related.