Do you work with dogs?

Question

I've been wondering, how many regulars and/or TC in the dog section, actually have a career with dogs?

If you are still a student, do you want to go into a career with dogs?

If not, what do you/want to do?

Answer 1

Besides attending the occasional dog show, helping our local KC [and being a member of it] with events, and volunteering as much as possible with the local Humane Society, as well as caring for my own dogs?

Nope. That's all the career I currently have with dogs.

That's also all the career I'll probably have with dogs.



If by some chance I have time after finishing college and attending work all day - I would love to help out whatever service dog organizations are around the area I'll be living by training/raising said dogs.

I also wouldn't mind having a few more Sibes and starting up a recreational mushing team.

And, of course, there's still that thought of showing a few of those Sibes whenever possible!





No guarantees, though. And I'm not going to college for any dog-related careers either.

Answer 2

I am still a student and do not currently have a consistant job. I do petsit (dogs & cats) but I only do that when people go out of town, so it's here & there. I do however volunteer at a no-kill animal shelter every single weekend & have for over a year. I normally go on Saturdays, when they are most busy, and stay just about all day. During the summer I went about 3 times a week along with sometimes also going on the weekend. I began as a normal volunteer walking dogs, cleaning up, scooping litter boxers, filling waters etc. But I was also, and still am though I have help from another volunteer, the shelter's head photographer. I take photos of all the adoptable dogs & cats or if somebody else takes a photo I post the pictures on petfinder.com to help the animals have a greater chance of finding a home. I also update their information.



Along with taking photos I am now a high funtioning volunteer and have been for several months. This means I do a lot of what the staff members do. They even call me the unpaid staff member sometimes lol. I show adoptable animals to people looking for a new family member, I help run the dogs (meaning: we have three yards and most the time they will give me the bottom yard or I will help them with all 3 & we will rotate each dog and groups of dogs outside & back in), I help set up other volunteers & tell them what to do, I feed dogs/cats, I also do alot of little things & really whatever the staff members need. I love it sooo much! I love my "shelter babies" and I have become very very good friends with many of the staff members & several other volunteers. I might even be getting a job there soon, which I will of course accept.



Like I mentioned before if they offer me a job at the shelter I will be happy to join though I don't want that to be my entire job. I am planning to become a animal photographer (though I will be willing to take pictures of people every once in a while) & will also continue to petsit for a while because it pays pretty well & I really enjoy it.





Good question! It is interesting to see what actual background on dogs some of these people have!!

Answer 3

I teach agility and obedience classes for pay. I'm also a member of my local obedience training club, where I'm on the training committee and teach classes. However, we are a volunteer based club, so in order to get my own competition obedience classes at 1/2 price, you must be on the TC and teach at least 2 8 week 1 hour training sessions. In order to teach any class, you must earn a title on your dog (CD, CDX, UD), assist a trainer with a few classes and you teach 1 level below what ever title you have, ie: if you have a CDX, you can teach a Novice or Sub Novice class.



Though my training club is an AKC training club, they do recognize UKC, ASCA, AMBOR, MBDCA obedience titles and USDAA, NADAC, CPE, DOCNA & TDAA agility titles. They hold 1 AKC obedience & rally trial a year, 2 AKC agility trials a year, 2 UKC ob & rally trials, a NADAC trial, ATT test, APDT Rally and CGC testing.



I usually teach the spring sessions & summer sessions. When I teach, I usually do a Beginner 1 or Beginner 2 class, those are the classes I enjoy most.



In my area, you throw a rock and you'll hit a supposed "dog trainer". All the dog trainers I know have another paying job. Very few of them are full time trainers, those that are, teach at different obedience training clubs in the area. Also, these people that do teach full time are not teaching pet classes, their teaching competition obedience classes.

Answer 4

Large Dogs?

Answer 5

I am currently attending school to earn my associates degree as a certified veterinary technician.



When I graduate I plan on working in an emergency clinic. But only for a few years until my driving record clears in my state ;)



Then I want to become a police officer, and eventually be on a K9 unit. That is my career goal.



As of right now, I just have pet dogs. But once I graduate I plan on purchasing a working lined GSD and competing in schutzhund and obedience.

Answer 6

I'm still a student, and I'm studying exercise science and cardio rehabilitation. However . . .



I've always thought I am going to teach dog obedience and agility classes as a hobby job. I've been taking those classes myself almost my entire life with different dogs who had different learning abilities. I think obedience is amazing. For example we got our german shepherd as a rescue and he was very insecure and had a few behavior problems, the worst was how he literally tried to kill cats. After a year of obedience almost all problems were gone, he has always been calm, we can leave him alone with our cats now, and he's a great family member. Agility is also just so much fun and great exercise for you and your dog.



I think more people should do obedience classes with their dogs, especially if they have any kind of behavioral problem. Dogs truly love going out with you and learning. Our dogs seemed to know what day it was because every Wednesday (that was the day of our agility classes) they acted more energetic and very excited, and tried to get in the car to leave early sometimes.

Answer 7

I work as a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) at a small animal hospital. I have done so for 18 years. I also teach dog obedience classes, some hunting dog classes, and rally on the side. Occasionally, I'll do a bit of dog grooming. I train and show my own dogs in obedience, rally, agility and hunting tests. I have not ever bred a litter but I have an interest in doing so someday. Yes I have had many careers with dogs. They are a big part of my life.

Answer 8

I am still a student. I do want a career with dogs, though... as a first job, I would like to be a Groomer, then move up to a Vet Tech, then maybe an actual Vet. I also would like to become a pet nutritionists.

Another thing I would like to do is become a reputable breeder of Papillons that are shown & do Agility.



If for some reason I cannot get a career with dogs I would like to go into technology, specifically computers/internet.

Answer 9

Before becoming a responsible breeder, I worked as a Dog groomer, Vet Tech, Shelter worker, rescue worker, after becoming a fancier I became a AKC CGC tester, learned how to show my dog, on to handling/champion many breeds.

Running 4 H ,learned how to ring steward, then run my own shows and finally judging.

While active in rescue and breeding.

My 2nd word was doggie, im sure my last words will be make sure you put my dog ashes in with me. So we will be together for Eternity

Answer 10

My full time profession is X ray tech, but my another unpaid full time job is dog rescue person. I take dogs from our local shelter, those that are on death row, have them vetted, spayed and neutered and adopted out to a new loving homes. It takes lots of time before and after work cleaning and taking care of the dogs (right now in addition to my own 3 dogs I have 3 rescued adults and 8 puppies), and I spend my weekends at the adoptions. Sometimes I think I am trying to do too much (I have 3 teenage kids also, one of them special needs), but I don't think I could sleep at night knowing that dogs are being put down everyday, and I am not doing anything about it.

I wish I didn't have to work full time (even though I LOVE my job) so I couldn't give more time to the dogs.

Answer 11

I am still a student and in my second last year at school as i plan to leave end of 5th year. By then i hope to have my higher biology so i can pursue a career in vet nursing.



I did want to be a Guide Dog Trainer but the training for it was too far away and wouldn't be ideal so i chose my second choice of career.

Answer 12

When I was 17 and got my very own Shepherd is when I took an interest in training them.I started bringing my dog to the park district and then moved up to real training for a living.I did this for 30years.I now train dogs at shelters so then can go off to find their forever homes and this is so fullfilling to know that they can accomplish and so can I..

Answer 13

Don't currently work with dogs - although, depending on circumstances and certainly after my 2nd semester proctors, that will change!

In school to be a vet tech, so if I can settle down and focus on my school, I can be licensed before I'm 28.



Have in the past - raised with them, worked with them in different capacities. Samoyed breeding/general boarding kennel, PetSmart, Humane Society, small animal and equine vet.



I would love to specialize in my career - as I understand it, not many vet techs have a specialty. I'm thinking anesthesia and definitely behavior. And depending on what other specialties become available, I'll look at them as well.



I love horses but wasn't raised with them and they rather intimidate me, but I'm quite comfortable around dogs and want to work with them my entire life.



Mutt: Sorry about your job - unless you were miserable there like I was, then perhaps this is a new opportunity for you! : )

Answer 14

I don't work with dogs now, and I don't plan to in the future.



I'm shallow--I want a career that I can make a good living off of (and don't want to be a vet) but that will also make me happy.



I'm still a student now, but plan to go into speech therapy/pathology. Haven't decided between clinic or school setting as of now--leaning towards school setting--but depending on where you work, both can pay pretty nicely.



I do, however, plan to foster Shelties, Aussies, and Collies as needed by any local shelters/rescues and maybe open my own rescue someday. I have no plans to cut dogs out completely :)

Answer 15

When I lived in Maryland I worked for a dog walking company, Tails of the City. I thought it was a cool job and I plan on working with dogs once I graduate from college. I want to work at the humane society that was near my house.

Answer 16

I am a professional groomer. I did it full time for nearly 20 years, now I only do it on Saturdays and I have an office job during the week.

Answer 17

I used to work at a Humane Society, but I was fired three weeks ago...I have been working with dogs for the last four years at various types of jobs. I'm not sure what to do with myself right now.



ETA: It's okay La Vita, there's a lot of internal management issues going on there. Supervisor/Subordinate relationships, euthanizing of healthy strays who have known owners, micromanaging and just general miserableness. Blah.

Answer 18

I work at a feed store, get to bring my dogs to work, and see other dogs regularly. I sell dog food for a living =]



I worked as a grooming assistant for two years before the feed store job.



I want to work in journalism and write for a dog magazine.

Answer 19

I do not have a career with dogs - I'm in banking.



I do however volunteer with a local inter species animal rescue on a regular basis as well as belong to an obedience training club.



When I retire from banking - I would like to own my own Lab Rescue.

Answer 20

Yes, I have worked in small animal practices for more than 10 years.

Answer 21

Yes my career will be something with dogs/animals. Im juggling the idea of pro handler/vet/vet tech right now. I am still a student right now.

Answer 22

I raised guide dogs from age 8 to age 18, I work closely with mobility dogs and train them. I train dogs and volunteer at my vets office. I'm a breeder/shower of collies because they are also parents of many guide dogs. My breeding mentor has bred for 40+ years and is my vet. I work with handicap children and take my dogs. I love animals and work closely with them I also help needy family's pay for spaying and such for their dogs.

Answer 23

I am a dog trainer in training (I help teach obedience), and I work at an animal shelter

I am also in school for vet tech

Answer 24

I'm a student. I'm on Y!A in my spare time. My friends think I'm wierd for not playing games instead :P My parents and I have made it quite clear that I will be rescuing and owning many dogs in the future, but I don't think I will ever breed. This world does not need more breeding right now.

Answer 25

I have worked with dogs for many years including work with Assistance Dogs.

Answer 26

Well.. I wanted to be a zoologist but, got told I wouldn't get the marks. Wanted to be a vet nurse got told I wouldn't pass the course.



I've decided next year I'm going to go back to school, when my all my crap is sorted & I don't care if I have to go back a year below what I'm meant to be.

I still don't know what I want to do but, whatever.

Answer 27

I am a student. I do want to work with dogs. Either a dog trainer or dog groomer.

Answer 28

Yes I work with dogs.........and other animals

I have a training and behaviour centre, also do a lot of behaviourial work in rescue ( Danes, BCs , authority raids puppy farms & dog fighting estabishments), practise work for vets clients, work with children and adults who are fearful of dogs & confidence building within community education ( also a qualified teacher) with people who have Down's, prisoners, probationers, non school attenders, specialist groups like disabled schools, YMCA, etc and do research papers, student placements etc for University behavioural modules.

Answer 29

Yes I have a career with dogs.

Before becoming a responsible breeder, I worked for a VET.

Not to mention I was raised with dogs & I could not live my life happily without the company of a pack of dogs.

Answer 30

Yes I am working with my guide dog, and I have learned so much things about dogs since I had my guide dog, my guide dog is my bestest friend! and I know how to train them now :) I would love to help my friends and family to train their puppies if they need my help.

Answer 31

Dogs are my hobby.



My career is in computers. I'm currently a web developer. (My job before that was a database administrator.)

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Answer 32

I've been training dogs for a long, long time.

Answer 33

my Italian Mastiffs do actively work with my horses and cattle with me. My dobermans are companions and show, my jack russell and mastiff are rescues.

Answer 34

No, I don't work with dogs for a living.



I work with people. I am a trauma/ ICU nurse.

Answer 35

i want to work with dogs when im older i love them (not in a weierd way)