SPCA Careers
"I monitor an animal's health and behaviours daily. I ensure they're living in a clean, safe and happy environment."
Who am I?
An Animal Care Attendant (ACA)
What is the process for becoming an SPCA accredited dog trainer?
The dog trainer has to go through a test where they show that their methods are SPCA approved.
List 4 other dog-related jobs that Sandy mentioned.
1. Dog walker
2. Dog groomer
3. Doggy daycare attendant
4. Police dog handler
5. Search and rescue dog handler
What are 3 tasks Animal Care Attendants do daily?
Schedule vet appointments, clean animal enclosures, feed animals, create enrichment activities, etc.
What did Sandy, the dog trainer, do before becoming a dog trainer?
She was a dog walker!
How many seconds should we be petting a dog before backing off and giving them a choice to leave?
3 seconds
What are 3 things that the Animal Care Attendants do during an intake exam?
Scan for a microchip, perform a physical examination/assessment, listen to their breathing, make note of their behaviours, deworm them and microchip them if they aren't already.
What are 3 things that a dog trainer does?
Teach dogs obedience, teach dogs how to make good choices, teach guardians how to provide their dogs with enrichment, as well as paperwork and marketing!
What is a 'magnet hand'?
It is when you put a high value treat to a dog's nose and you draw them away from what they are focused on.
What is the special lamp called that Animal Care Attendants use to look for skin irritations during an intake exam?
What are they commonly looking for?
A Wood's lamp
Ringworm
What is fear and force-free training?
A type of training that does not use correction, saying no, punishment or hitting and pulling.
Instead, it is a compassionate approach that provides choice and focuses on positive reinforcement.
What method does Sandy use to mark a positive/desirable behaviour?
Say "yes" and give a treat.
Name 4 jobs at the SPCA.
2. Human Educator
3 . Branch Manager
4. Animal Protection Officer
What does a day in the life of a dog trainer include?
Group classes, private training, networking, paperwork and administration.
What is the hardest part of being a dog trainer?
Training the humans, especially when people are stuck in their ways or have strong beliefs on how to train dogs.