Any trainers out there?

[coldwarenigma]

Not a doggy issue as such but asking for someone else?

How does someone train to be a behavouralist/walker/trainer? What are the best routes to do it properly?

Personally Benavioural Animal Science degree and MSC in Companion and Feline Behaviour.

I feel that you do need to have theoretical and practical experience.

You could start with IMDT courses see if you like the learning and then look at getting more experience and courses.

You need to have more than liking dogs and having your own dog.

I also feel that you need to have worked or trained dogs to a high level in dog sport or dog activities.

IMHO, the most important thing I'd look at (aside from personal recommendation) are the trainer's own dogs. How they behave, how they are around the trainer, and if they have won titles in a canine activity (in particular, an activity that would suit your own dog), or at the very least work their dogs in a relevant activity. As one trainer I've come across online says, your dog is your CV.