Instructions
Learn basic dog training commands. Before you enter a more intensive dog training program, you should be able to teach a dog the basic commands such as sit and stay. This may seem very basic, but it requires patience and consistency. If you find this training difficult, you should reconsider your desire to become an autism guide dog trainer. If you do not have a dog to practice training with, many local shelters and humane societies are in need of volunteers to exercise and care for the shelter dogs. This would offer a great opportunity to work with a variety of dogs on a regular basis.
Learn about autism. Although autism has a very diverse array of symptoms with varying severity, having a good understanding of the disorder will help you train the dog. For instance, if a dog is going to be placed with an individual who has self-injurious behavior and who tends to wander from his or her caregivers, you can teach the dog specific commands on how to react in those situations. Each dog is tailored for his or her future owner, so knowing the common behaviors and challenges the autistic individuals have makes it easier for you to teach the proper commands and techniques.
Find an apprenticeship program. Training dogs to be guides for individuals with autism is different than dog obedience training or other service dog training (i.e., seeing-eye dogs, therapy dogs, etc.). Organizations that provide dogs to individuals with autism vary somewhat in their training methodologies, so they prefer to train their trainers in their particular method. Some organizations only require that you like dogs, are friendly and are able to interact with individuals with autism. Other organizations prefer you to have some formal education about guide dogs or animal behavior from a college or certification program. Even with experience in dog obedience training or dog behavior education, you will have to undergo an apprenticeship or extensive training program before becoming an actual autism guide dog trainer. Apprenticeships range in length from a few months to three years, so a serious commitment is needed.
Gain employment with an organization or create your own training center. Once you have completed your apprenticeship program you may decide to work for another autism guide dog training program. Since you have experience in guide dog training you will not need as extensive training to learn the new program's training methodology. You may also want to form your own training center, although this adds many responsibilities and costs.
How to Become an Autism Dog Trainer
Autism guide dogs provide assistance to individuals with autism, a neurological and learning disorder. These dogs undergo one to two years of training, depending on the organization's requirements. Autism guide dog trainers must have a certain level of skills to enter a dog training program. They not only train the dogs, but they also teach the family receiving the dog how to maintain the dog's skills.