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Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...
Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and Coaching Studies from Oxford Brookes University and was seeking a role where she could utilise her sports education background. At the time, Sports Cover Direct was the more dominant company brand and the role of Business Support was the perfect graduate job to step into.
The first 4 years involved Steffi learning the insurance products and helping navigate the company’s internal policies and procedures. With the growth of the business and keenness for a leadership role, in late 2021 Steffi took on the role of Sales Operations Manager. Steffi now manages a team of Insurance Sales Executives, focusing on the smooth running of the department and improving sales performance.
If you love dogs (and their owners!) then becoming a dog trainer could be the perfect job for you. There are several different types of dog training careers from running puppy classes for people and their pets to training guide dogs or medical support dogs for specific tasks.
There are some key skills required to be a successful dog trainer:
- Good social skills
- Understanding of behaviour in dogs
- The ability to develop skills and techniques
- Understanding of the legal aspects
- Independently accredited qualification
About Us
We’re one of the leading providers of insurance for pet businesses, and we offer a variety of tailored products such as Dog Walking, Pet Sitting Insurance and Dog Grooming Insurance policies.
Understanding of Behaviour in Dogs
This is essential if you are going to be a dog trainer. When training a dog, they are required to listen, communicate and remember and so you need to be able to understand how they do this and what motivates each dog that you work with.
This knowledge can be gained through training courses, books and of course, experience, as you work with more and more dogs.
Develop Skills and Techniques
Take time to learn different skills and techniques, practice them and build up experience that will enable you to become a successful and confident dog trainer.
This confidence is an important part of working with dogs as they will respond better to a confident trainer, but it will also be important in developing relationships with existing and new clients who are looking to put their trust in you.
Understanding the Legal Aspects
There are several laws which exist which are important for you as a dog trainer to understand. These include the Animal Welfare Act (2006) and Dangerous Dogs Act (1991).
You can see more information on this on the Kennel Club website.
It is also important to understand the legal aspects of running a business, such as data protection.
Independently Accredited Qualification
Formal qualifications are not necessary to become a dog trainer but will always help to set you apart from other dog trainers and to attract new clients. A good starting point is the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, a voluntary organisation and whose members are accredited.
There are a range of courses available either at colleges or through distance learning, all of which will give you the training and qualification to start your career as a dog trainer.
Another essential aspect is the need for adequate insurance cover. So, should something happen to an animal, a member of the public or their property as a result of your business actions you will have peace of mind that you are protected.
So, you can be covered if a third party makes a claim against you if their dog has an accident and suffers an injury during one of your classes.
Cover can also include your equipment in event that it gets damaged at a training session.
Get Pet Business Insurance from Protectivity
*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date.
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My main focus is managing the blog and product content for the Protectivity website ensuring everything aligns with the brand’s voice and strategy.
For the small businesses we support, insurance and financial protection can sometimes seem complicated, especially when getting started. That’s why our content is designed to be clear and practical—providing helpful guidance and ensuring our customers not only find the specialist cover they require but are confident it will do the job they need.
Good Social Skills
When training a dog, it is not just our four-legged friend involved, there is also a relationship with the dog’s owner to build and develop.
Training a dog can be a long process in some cases, so you need to be able to develop a good rapport with both dog and owner to be able to get the best results.
You will also need to adapt your style to allow for every dog and client being different and having their own unique personalities and motivations.