Dog Careers Best Jobs For People That Love Working With Dogs

By Dog Explore - Saturday 11 September 2021 - No Comments

If you enjoy working with dogs, you might want to consider a job that incorporates them. If you want to be happy in life, you must choose the appropriate profession. After all, consider how many hours you'll be spending at work each day; your job should be something you enjoy and that makes you feel fulfilled.

In this post, we'll look at some of the most popular professions for dog lovers to consider. We also look at how to get into certain professions and what to anticipate from them.

1. Career Considerations

Several major aspects will influence your employment choice, including:

The hours you want to work
Your academic qualifications
Your salary requirements
Your skills and aptitudes
Your age
Your home situation

If your grades are good enough, you might want to pursue becoming a veterinarian while you're still in school. Working as a dog groomer or kennel worker, on the other hand, might be more up your alley if you're not especially scholarly and enjoy hands-on work.

2. Popular Careers

So, here's a rundown of some of the most popular dog-related careers to think about:

Dog obedience trainer/behaviorist
Dog groomer
Dog charity worker
Veterinary technician
Veterinarian
Dog walker
Pet sitter
Dog breeder
Kennel worker
Assistance dog trainer
Animal welfare inspector
Canine hydrotherapist
Police dog handler

Other more unusual occupations include:

Dog photographer
Dog show handler
Shepherd, working with border collies
Search-and-rescue dog handler

So, let's take a closer look at how to get into ten of the most popular dog-related jobs.

2.1. Dog Groomers

You'll be grooming dogs of all breeds as a dog groomer. You'll do a wide range of grooming tasks in order to improve the dog's beauty and hygiene. You'll be responsible for the following tasks on a daily basis:

Interacting with dog owners to learn about their needs

Every breed's AKC grooming guidelines should be understood.

Providing your consumers with the most up-to-date information about at-home grooming procedures is a must.

Dogs' coats are bathed, dried, and trimmed.

Nail clippings

As needed, use electric clippers and stripping combs.

Identifying and drawing attention to irregularities in the coat and skin, including wounds, tumors, and parasites.

Cleaning and sanitizing work spaces and equipment

To become a dog groomer, you don't need to meet any specific admission requirements. You'll get on-the-job training if you start working at a reputable grooming salon. Dog grooming courses are also available, and your supervisor will recommend one that is appropriate for you to pursue.

An experienced professional dog groomer can expect to earn roughly $29,200 per year if qualified.

2.2. Veterinary technicians

Veterinary technicians work in hospitals in a similar capacity as nurses. As a vet tech, you'll help a veterinarian with a variety of technical and administrative activities on a daily basis, such as:

Performing initial patient testing and evaluation

Collecting urine samples and checking the vital signs of pets

First-aid procedures

Veterinary supervision is required while administering medications, vaccinations, and medication.

Following surgery, in-patients are monitored.

Keeping track of patient information

Equipment sterilization and preparation for surgical operations

Providing assistance to the veterinarian during surgery

Catheter placement

Anesthesia is being monitored.

Participating in euthanasia operations as a volunteer

Some vet techs are needed to stay overnight to monitor and care for in-patients, depending on the sort of clinic they work in. Work on the weekends is also common.

A veterinarian technician may expect to make roughly $33,400 per year on average.

2.3. Veterinarian

You'll treat a wide range of animals as a veterinarian, from hamsters to horses. You can specialize in small animal care, farm animals, or exotics once you've gained enough expertise. You might possibly work at a medical research facility or care for zoo animals.

Dogs will, of course, be one of your most commonly seen patients in general practice. Your duties and obligations as a veterinarian will differ based on where you work. General veterinary responsibilities, on the other hand, include:

Animals that are sick are diagnosed and treated.

Providing nutritional, exercise, dental, parasite control, and vaccine advice to pet owners.

Administering and prescribing medications

Providing advice to pet owners on how to properly care for their animals

De-sexing, for example, is a normal surgical surgery.

Sleeping with pets (euthanasia)

Examining the aftermath

Blood and urine testing on a regular basis

It takes a lot of effort to be a veterinarian. When you're on-call, you may be required to work irregular hours, including weekends. You'll also need to stay current with industry advances, which may require you to spend time away from home attending training courses and seminars.

However, depending on your experience and any specialties, a veterinarian can expect to earn a typical salary of roughly $90,420.

2.4. Dog walker

Dog walking is a relatively young job that has only been around for around 15 years. Many dog owners nowadays work during the day, which means Fido is left alone at home. As a result, pet parents increasingly employ professional dog walkers to take their pets for daily walks.

The best part about dog walking is that you don't need any professional training or certifications to do it. You could be a dog walker if you like dogs, enjoy exercise, don't mind being outside in all weather, and have a flexible schedule.

As a dog walker, you'll be responsible for:

Calling on dog owners to pick up their pets
Taking dogs to the dog park or for a walk around the block
After you've finished, clean up.

Working as a dog walker entails a great deal of responsibility. You'll be trusted to go into someone's house and retrieve their dog. It's possible that you'll need to walk many dogs safely together. You'll be accountable for all of the dogs in your care, including those you take to dog parks.

You must also obtain third-party liability insurance to protect yourself in the event that a dog in your care causes an accident or bites someone.

Depending on the location in which you work, dog walkers often charge approximately $10 per walk.

2.5. Kennel Worker

Working in boarding kennels can be a good fit if you're not frightened of heavy manual labor and enjoy dogs.

Working in kennels does not require any formal qualifications, however there are a few certificates that can help you advance in your career, such as the Level 2 Caring for Animals in Kennels certificate. The Animal Care College offers an online qualification in this field.

Worker responsibilities at a kennel include:

Taking care of the dogs by feeding and watering them

Cleaning the kennels, runs, and exercise areas for the dogs

Observing the dogs for any changes in behavior

The dogs are being exercised.

You’ll wear protective clothing for work, including safety boots, gloves, and overalls. As much of your work will take place outdoors, you’ll need to be content to work in all weathers.

You'll work approximately 40 hours per week, including some weekends and holidays. Kennel employees might make anywhere from $14,000 to $18,000 per year. Your annual pay might be roughly $21,500 if you are promoted to kennel manager.

2.6. Pet Sitter

You don't need any formal qualifications to work as a pet sitter, just like professional dog walkers.

Pet sitting is a job that requires a great deal of responsibility. While the homeowner is away on vacation or a business trip, you will be asked to live at someone's home to look after their pets. You'll also need to be able to see indicators of illness that may necessitate veterinarian care.

If you're a sole trader, you'll have to figure out how to pay your taxes. You'll also need insurance to cover you in case the pet or the homeowner's property is damaged. You won't have to bother about insurance if you work for an agency. In addition, the pet's owner will be responsible for your food while you live with them.

As a pet sitter, you may have the following obligations and duties:

Feeding the dog and supplying him with fresh water

Taking care of the dog

In any conditions, walking the dog Vacuuming up shed dog hair Giving the dog his medication

Taking care of veterinary emergencies

Keeping owners informed about their dog's health

Following all dog-walking laws in the area

You may be required to perform additional tasks on occasion, especially if you are staying at the dog owner's home while they are away. These responsibilities may include:

I cleaned the entire house.

Plant watering

I'm preparing dog food.

Taking care of the mail for the homeowner.

Depending on where you work, you may expect to earn between $10 and $15 per hour for pet sitting.

2.7. Animal welfare inspector

Consider becoming an animal welfare inspector if you wish to aid animals in suffering, particularly dogs.

Your responsibilities as an animal welfare inspector will include:

Responding to public requests for assistance with animals in distress
Assisting sick and helpless animals, safely rescuing them, and returning them to their owners or releasing them back into the wild.
coordinating with the police in incidents of animal cruelty and abuse
preparing and presenting evidence in court cases involving animal cruelty
Investigating allegations of animal abuse or neglect
Educating and educating pet owners on how to properly care for their animals.
Assisting in the promotion of the rescue organization's mission

The task of animal welfare inspectors can be upsetting at times. You must be able to handle stress and be prepared to view animals that have been subjected to cruelty and abuse.

The starting wage for a welfare officer is roughly $23,500 per year, with benefits. If you advance to inspector level, you can specialize or go into a supervisory position, with possible earnings ranging from $23,500 to $34,500 based on experience.

2.8. Police dog handler

To become a police dog handler, you must first have worked as a regular police officer for at least three years. You could then apply to join the dog section, where you would get comprehensive training as a police dog handler.

Police dogs come in a variety of shapes and sizes and serve a variety of functions. Some dogs are used to track down and apprehend fleeing offenders, while others are scent dogs that sniff out drugs, cash, guns, explosives, and other items. Some police canines have been trained to look for human remains or missing people in fallen buildings or dense foliage.

The handler and the police dog live together. As a result, you'll need a property with enough interior and outside space for a dog. When a dog reaches retirement age, which is normally approximately nine years old, they usually become family pets.

You must be physically fit in order to keep up with your dog. You must also be able to deal with the reality that your dog must always be completely obedient to you and under rigorous supervision.

The police frequently use the following dog breeds:

German shepherd
Belgian shepherd
Rottweiler
Schnauzer
Labrador
Springer spaniel
Bloodhound
German short-haired pointer
Weimaraner

A police dog handler's annual salary ranges from $32,000 to $37,500, based on experience and rank.

2.9. Canine Hydrotherapist

As a canine hydrotherapist, you'll administer hydrotherapy treatments to injured canines in order to aid their recovery. Typically, your clients will be recommended to you by their regular veterinarian. Some dogs, on the other hand, like hydrotherapy as a kind of exercise.

You'll need to take training classes in the following areas to become a canine hydrotherapist:

Canine first aid
Pool water management
Canine anatomy and physiology
Canine hydrotherapy

Many employers may pay for additional training once you've accepted a position with them. To get started in this field, you'll need an approved degree or diploma in small animal hydrotherapy. Additionally, having a certificate in animal first aid would be advantageous.

As a canine hydrotherapist, your responsibilities would include:

Assessing patients' conditions and devising a treatment plan to help them recover quickly

To help dogs recover from injuries, a hydrotherapy pool and a water treadmill are used.

Performing administrative duties

You'll frequently be required to work unsociable hours in order to accommodate your clients, such as weekends and evenings. Hours are often longer than average, and depending on who you work for, you may be asked to work shifts.

You may expect to make between $18,000 and $23,000 as a canine hydrotherapist. You'll need to attend training courses throughout your career to stay current with new industry advancements and your professional body's requirements.

With experience, you may be able to advance to a more senior position in the sector, such as management or training. You might even want to go into business for yourself and open your own clinic.

2.10. Assistance dog trainer

Assistance dogs are canines that have been professionally trained to assist individuals who have physical or mental disabilities.

These priceless canine companions are specially trained to assist visually impaired persons both inside and outside their homes. Assistive dogs also assist deaf people by warning their owners when someone approaches the door. When their owner has a seizure or collapses, service dogs can be trained to raise the alarm.

Therapy dogs are a valuable resource for people suffering from disorders like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Therapy dogs are employed to help war veterans whose mental health has been damaged by their service in the military in the United States.

Your responsibilities as an aid dog trainer will include:

Dogs are being trained to assist individuals with physical disabilities, vision or hearing impairments, and serious illnesses.
Giving talks and demonstrations to raise awareness about the importance of service dogs in the community
Organizing fundraising events
Other trainers' education

You must be physically fit and like outdoor activities in all weather situations to work as an aid dog trainer. You'll also need to be adaptable in your approach to the job, as you'll be asked to travel across the country to meet with trainee assistant dogs and their owners. The majority of assistance dog trainers work full-time, and you may be required to work weekends and evenings on occasion.

Every firm establishes its own admission requirements in terms of training for this position. Working with dogs in kennels, rescue shelters, or animal welfare organizations, on the other hand, will give you an advantage. You should also have a good awareness of the issues that persons with impairments confront. n

As a trainee, you can expect to make roughly $19,000, with the potential to earn up to $25,450 as an experienced, trained trainer.

3. Final Thoughts

So you want to be a dog trainer? So, we hope our essay has given you some ideas!

With the information in this book, you should have a decent sense of what kind of canine-related employment would be best for you. We're confident you'll discover what you're searching for, whether it's a non-academic, hands-on position or a job that requires a high degree of study to qualify.

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