About Dog Training

There is a difference between being a trainer and an instructor and that difference varies between schools, so for this text the terms can be interchangeable. Just in case you want to know though, the following definitions are broad based.

• Trainer
  A person who can work with dogs in training at every phase of guide work, including work with students, but who must still be supervised by an instructor.
•   Instructor
  A person who can work, unsupervised, and can supervise others, in all phases of Guide Dog training.

Many schools require apprentices to pass a written and field test before becoming trainers, then another written and field test to become Instructors. California licenses instructors with a state certifying test.

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