A crane operator course can get you into the cab. A dogging course helps you understand what is happening on the ground.
Put the two together and you have a much better understanding of the whole lift. You know how loads are prepared, connected and directed, and you also know how to operate the crane covered by your licence class.
For anyone building a career in construction, civil works or crane hire, that can be a smart combination.
Why dogging and crane training work well together
Dogging and crane operation are separate types of High Risk Work. You need the right licence for each role, and holding one does not let you carry out the other.
Even so, the work is closely linked.
A dogger selects lifting gear, works out how to sling the load and directs the crane operator when the load is out of view. The crane operator controls the machine and responds to the information coming from the ground.
Train in both and you start to understand the lift from both positions.
That can help you communicate better, pick up problems earlier and settle into a crane crew more easily.
Take a look at CTI’s Dogging and C6 Crane Course combination to see how the two qualifications can fit into one training pathway.
Dogging experience can help in the crane cab
A crane operator relies on the crew below. You need clear signals, the right load information and confidence that the load has been set up properly.
Someone who has completed a dogging course already knows what goes into those decisions.
You understand what the dogger is looking at
From the cab, you may not be able to see every sling, lifting point or section of the load.
Dogging training helps you understand why a dogger has chosen a certain sling set-up, how the centre of gravity affects the lift and what might cause the load to shift once it leaves the ground.
You are not taking over the dogger’s job. You are simply in a better position to understand what they are telling you and why.
You can pick up problems sooner
Training in both roles can help you notice when something does not look right.
That might include:
- Lifting gear that does not suit the load
- A load path with poor clearance
- Confusing hand signals or radio calls
- A load moving differently from what the crew expected
Each person still needs to stay within their licence and assigned role. But when both sides understand the work, it is easier to stop, check and fix an issue before the lift carries on.
You know what clear communication sounds like
There is no room for vague instructions during a lift.
Dogging and crane training both cover hand signals, radio communication and the information that needs to pass between the ground crew and the operator.
You see what the dogger needs from the person in the cab. You also see what the operator needs from the people below.
And a shared understanding can make a real difference on site.
A crane licence can open up more job options
A dogging licence can get you started in lifting work as a dogger or crane crew member. A crane licence adds another type of work you may be able to do, depending on the licence class you hold and what the employer needs.
Job ads may use titles such as:
- Dogger
- Crane operator
- Mobile crane operator
- Crane operator and dogger
- Crane crew member
- Crane dogman
Crane dogman still appears in plenty of job ads, even though dogger is the preferred term for the licensed role.
Some employers look for workers who can fill different positions across a project or roster. That does not mean one person should do both jobs during the same lift. It means you may be able to work in the cab on one job and as part of the ground crew on another.
Flexibility like this can be useful in crane hire, construction and civil work, where the job can change from day to day.
Choose a crane class that suits the work you want
There is no single crane licence for every type of crane.
Different licence classes cover different machines and rated capacities. These include non-slewing mobile cranes, tower cranes, vehicle loading cranes and several slewing mobile crane classes.
CTI’s combination course pairs Dogging (DG) with the C6 Slewing Mobile Crane course. The C6 class covers slewing mobile cranes with a maximum rated capacity of up to 60 tonnes.
This pathway may suit people looking to work in mobile crane operations, equipment installation, construction or crane hire.
Other crane pathways can include:
- Non-slewing mobile cranes
- Tower cranes
- Self-erecting tower cranes
- Vehicle loading cranes
- Slewing mobile cranes up to 20, 100 or over 100 tonnes
These are separate courses and not available as a combo package.
It is easy to start collecting tickets because they sound useful. But training costs money, and some licences may not help much if the employers near you use different equipment.
Look at current job ads. Speak to crane companies. Ask people already working in the industry which tickets they use most.
Then book the course that makes sense.
Compare CTI’s Crane Operator Training courses before choosing your next step.
What do you cover in the combined training?
CTI’s standard dogging course runs for 5 full days and includes theory and practical training. Crane course lengths vary depending on the licence class.
Across the two courses, you may cover:
- Planning lifting work and checking the area
- Inspecting lifting gear and crane components
- Choosing slings and slinging methods
- Reading load information and load charts
- Directing and controlling loads
- Setting up and operating the crane
- Responding when conditions change
You will need to finish the required training and pass the assessments for each licence class.
The course gets you started. It does not make you an experienced operator overnight.
That part comes later, through time on site, supervised practice and working around different cranes, loads and crews.
The more lifts you see, the better your judgement becomes.
What can a crane dogman salary look like?
A crane dogman salary can vary a lot.
Your pay may depend on:
- Where you work
- The type of project
- Your experience
- The crane classes you hold
- Your roster and overtime
- Site allowances
- Any extra tickets or licences
Mining, remote work and specialised crane roles may pay more than entry-level city jobs. But those positions also tend to ask for more site experience and extra qualifications.
A new licence holder should not assume the first job will come with top-end pay.
Most employers want to see that you can work safely, follow instructions and fit into a lifting crew. They may also ask for rigging qualifications, a heavy vehicle licence or experience with a certain crane type.
The biggest benefit of holding both dogging and crane qualifications is not a guaranteed salary figure.
It is the wider range of jobs you can go for.
As your experience builds, the better-paying roles may follow.
Where can you go after dogging and crane training?
Dogging and crane operation can be the start of a longer career in lifting work.
Once you have spent some time on site, you might add Basic Rigging (RB). From there, you could move into Intermediate Rigging (RI) or Advanced Rigging (RA).
You may also move into higher crane classes if your work starts involving larger machines.
Base your next ticket on the jobs you want.
A few months spent around cranes may show you that rigging is the better path. You might prefer operating. Or you may find that holding both sets of qualifications gives you the most useful mix.
There is no need to plan every licence from day one.
Start with a solid combination, get some site time and see where the work takes you.
Build experience on both sides of the lift
Dogging training teaches you how loads are prepared, connected and directed. Crane operator training teaches you how to control the machine moving them.
Together, they give you a better understanding of how lifting work happens from start to finish.
That can help you communicate with the crew, understand what is happening around the crane and apply for a wider range of roles.
Construction Training International provides nationally recognised dogging and crane operator training from its purpose-built Riddells Creek facility. CTI is a Registered Training Organisation, RTO No 7107.
Ready to work towards both qualifications?
View the Dogging and C6 course or enquire with CTI and tell the team what type of crane work you want to get into.
