For the whale & dolphin trainers out there :) ?

Question

For all the whale/dolphin trainer's out there :)?
So I am currently getting my degree in psychology and I am in my early 20's and I have always wanted to train killer whales or dolphins like at sea world or wherever it is offered. But I am wondering how do I get involved in this? do I have to have a degree in something? and also I am a total animal lover but killer whales seem a little bit intimidating so do you just get over that over time after working with them?? anyways this is something I really want to do so some answers would be wonderful thanks :)

Answer 1

A degree in Psychology is a good start. You should also be working on getting animal experience too. How are your swimming and speaking/acting skills?



As for working with killer whales, for the most part, I don't think you just start of with them. Most trainers start of working with the pets, sea lions, or dolphins.

http://www.seaworld.org/ask-shamu/faq.htm#animal-training

As you can imagine, we get hundreds of applicants each year for trainer positions. For killer whale trainers there may only be one or two openings each year— so this is an even more competitive area to get into. While a college degree is not currently required, those applicants that have a degree in marine biology, animal behavior, zoology, psychology, or related fields are almost always the ones that get interviews. Also, the swim test and microphone test are critical parts of the interview process. Most people who take these tests do not pass the underwater swim portion of this test, so it is critical to practice for this.





I would think that if you are intimidated by the whales you shouldn't work with them. Before you get to work with them you go through an apprenticeship

http://www.seaworld.org/ask-shamu/faq.htm#animal-training

In addition, even with previous training experience, new trainers are hired as associate trainers, and learn about SeaWorld’s training methods and animals in at least a one-year apprenticeship period.



Killer Whales are big, and even though you work with them and have a relationship with that animal there is a chance you can get hurt by them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5417XgbtfY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTXE653JPOg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW-iRpymrMY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?p=BC4BC840D4571291&v=BKiGAW2YQm8





Working with up close with animals has some kind of risk. Almost any animal you work with has some sort of potential to hurt you. If it has a mouth, it could bite. If it has claws, it could scratch you. A horse can easily kick you and possibly break a bone. Etc.

(Read "Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched")



Here are some links. Good Luck.

http://becjobs.com/Scripts/JobSearch.aspx

Associate Trainer, Trainer or Senior Trainer

Park: Sea World San Diego

Type: Seasonal



Description:

Basic Job functions: Enthusiastically represents SeaWorld by displaying a positive attitude, high level of energy and commitment to quality throughout all aspects of the job. Assists the Animal Training staff in providing proper nutrition, appropriate sanitary living conditions, constant care for animals and water interaction depending on need. Principle Duties: Maintains safe and sanitary working areas and living conditions. Prepares daily animal diets, maintains safe and sanitary food preparation and storage areas. Administers animal vitamins under close supervision as required. Develops speaking skills and stage presence for performing supportive roles in education and general public shows. Assist in the training of animals. Develops an awareness of guest satisfaction with the SeaWorld product. Maintains facility pools with the use of SCUBA gear. Maintains excellent physical condition as needed to perform job functions. Required Skills Knowledge: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must have SCUBA certification at the time of applying. Must be able to lift 60 lbs. Must be able to work weekdays, holidays, and nights. Must have at least 6 months of paid animal training experience. Must pass a swim test. Theatrical experience strongly preferred. Required Training Education: Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Degree in psychology, performing arts or theater, or marine, biological or zoological sciences is desirable.



http://www.seaworld.org/ask-shamu/faq.htm#animal-training

How do I become a marine animal trainer?



The following information is SeaWorld's basic job description, requirements, and background information on an entry-level animal trainer position.

ANIMAL TRAINER

Responsible for the daily care, feeding and maintenance of show animals. Develops and trains animal behaviors and performs in animal shows for the public and educational shows for school groups. An apprenticeship period of at least a year is required for all trainer positions, even with previous experience.

Our requirements for animal trainers include:

° must be at least 18 years of age

° prior experience training animals

° public speaking, drama, or other performance and communication skills (a microphone test is part of the interview process)

° experience working with animals

° scuba diving certification

° CPR certification

° an ability to interact with the public

° academic coursework in zoology, marine biology, animal behavior or psychology (preference is given to those applicants with a college degree)

° strong swimming skills (part of the interview process is a rigorous swim test that includes a 200 ft. freestyle swim, a 100 ft. underwater swim, and a free-dive to the bottom of a 26 ft. pool.)

° excellent physical health and the ability to lift 50 lbs.

In addition, even with previous training experience, new trainers are hired as associate trainers, and learn about SeaWorld’s training methods and animals in at least a one-year apprenticeship period.



HOW TO GET EXPERIENCE

To try and see if a career in animal training or animal care is for you, SeaWorld offers a weeklong Career Camp for grades 9-12 during the summer at all three parks. Check online at SWBG-AdventureCamps.com for more information.

Many colleges and universities offer internship opportunities along with the local zoos or aquariums as part of a zoological science or similar type of degree program. Moorpark College in Southern California offers a special Exotic Animal Training and Management program designed for those who want to enter into zoological careers. In Florida, Santa Fe Community College and Pensacola Junior College offer similar programs. Volunteering at a local animal shelter, veterinarian, or wildlife rescue facility is another great way to get experience. In addition, many zoos and aquariums have docent or other volunteer positions available. It is also helpful to gain experience at the park or facility that you’re interested in working for. At SeaWorld, many of our openings for trainer and animal care positions go to applicants that have worked at the park in another department such as education - so this is a great way to get your foot in the door.



Another thing to keep in mind is when position openings are available. At SeaWorld, we have most openings for trainers and animal care in the early spring, and usually post these positions on our website (www.becjobs.com ) in late winter. During this time we hold the swim tests and microphone tests as the initial parts of the interview process.



As you can imagine, we get hundreds of applicants each year for trainer positions. For killer whale trainers there may only be one or two openings each year— so this is an even more competitive area to get into. While a college degree is not currently required, those applicants that have a degree in marine biology, animal behavior, zoology, psychology, or related fields are almost always the ones that get interviews. Also, the swim test and microphone test are critical parts of the interview process. Most people who take these tests do not pass the underwater swim portion of this test, so it is critical to practice for this.



The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (www.aza.org ) also posts career information and job openings on its website. We also have a lot more info on our website (www.swbg-animals.org ) about training and other animal careers. Other great sites to check out are the websites for the International Marine Animal Training Association (www.imata.org) and the Society for Marine Mammalogy (this has an excellent section on pursuing a career in marine mammal science at

http://www.marinemammalogy.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70&Itemid=84

http://www.usc.edu/org/seagrant/pdfs/Guide.pdf



http://www.swbg-animals.org/connections/shared-video/on-the-job/index.htm?vID=v5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZGxyG6Ixz4

http://www.swbg-animals.org/connections/shared-video/on-the-job/index.htm?vID=v2



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MulfGFInDyw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNL0l6tBEIc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syh1OW5xxBY



http://www.dolphintrainer.com/career_guide.htm

http://www.imata.org/cms.php?13

http://www.imata.org/cms.php?17

http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/training/index.htm

http://www.seaworld.org/career-resources/info-books/zoo-careers/training.htm

http://www.theabma.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=10075

http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Behavior-Active-Paul-Chance/dp/0495095648/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233260598&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Training-Successful-Management-Reinforcement/dp/0961107499/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221245175&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Shoot-Dog-Teaching-Training/dp/1860542387/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233260697&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Lads-Before-Wind-Dolphin-Trainer/dp/1890948047/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233261071&sr=8-1

http://www.clickertraining.com/node/381



https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20090331172013AAsqEF8&show=7#profile-info-dkTAIowwaa

What Is The Day In The Life Of A Dolphin Trainer?

Answer 2

im pretty sure most whale and dolphin trainers are marine biologists however zoology or biology may work too (a minor in theater is also a good idea if you want to get into animal shows). also before sea world or where ever would hire you, you would have to have prior animal training experience, probably from a smaller zoo working with sea lions or dolphins, and even to get that experience at a small zoo you have to have prior animal training experience with dogs or birds or whatever else. i also heard at sea world when a new orca trainer is hired it is three years before you even get in the water with the orcas so you can gain trust with the animals.

that would be a sweet job, but very hard to get into.

Answer 3

Whale:



Eight Steps for Training a Killer Whale



Establish clear cut goal which can be described as actions the animal must perform.



No vague requests like "be good".



Break-down the path to the final goal into easily achieved mini-goals slowly going all the way.



Alway be positive and happy when working with the animal.



At first give a reward IMMEDIATELY and every time the animal even comes close to performing an interim goal.



IGNORE MISTAKES.



Slowly increase your standard for performance; and give rewards randomly only about one-third of the time.



Give rewards immediately for approximations of the next step.



Repeat the process, adding step after step to each performance of mini-goals.



Dolphin:



http://www.robins-island.org/dolphins_training.php

(cannot be copied from the website)