Possible career future with dogs [please read]?

Well you are certainly going about getting the career you think you would like in the right way.

At this stage I would add, keep your options open, think laterally and also think 'humans', so things like coaching and mentoring, you need to get facts and training across to people in a way they will understand............and also that they 'buy into', so it belongs to them, otherwise the real training never gets done ( the practise at home).

When you are training dogs ( or other animals) there is always an owner/carer and if they don't own what is taught it won't happen.

Read books by people who know what they are talking about, such as "On Talking Terms With Dogs" by Turid Rugaas, look at the reports about all the long term, up to date research that is being done....and check the references, knowledge and backgrounds of who has researched these, for EG. Bristol University in the UK does lots of good quality research which can help you get a 'feel' for what you want to do, Science Daily (online) often report on up to date research around animal behaviour from around the world and myths that people have believed for centuries and are still believing such as 'Dominant' behaviour in dogs, a human trait not a dogs.

I have two students here working, doing their placement as part of their 3 year degree, they learn about and take part in dog training, behavioural work, animal acupressure, ttouch, homoeopathic treatments, Bach Flower, body language ( human and animal) & micro body language, performance coaching, working with parents and children and dogs, H&S, as well as agility, traditional obedience, behavioural obedience, groundwork, flyball, k9dance, showing & schedules, grooming, ringcraft and all the rule and regulations that go with them all, learning styles, observation skills and be involved with as well as work independantly on research I am doing on dog 'senses', 'comparable behaviour', 'brain waves'(thinking patterns) and lots of other things.

And forget what people 'think' it is not 'fact' just because they think it. I was a teacher and behaviourist by profession of human animals...........and many would say animals as I worked with prisoners and young offenders, speicalising in Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, great profession and I loved it and I was paid very well, have always worked with animals, the research I did/do is animal based and I do CPD, I don't 'buy' into bought titles so I can add letters after my name by paying for memberships of 'professional dog training organisations' they are naff and just to 'con' the public into thinking 'trainers' are something special it is what you do, how you change things and the numerous referals from satisfied customers, vets and rescue centres that count......Oh my dogs have titles,(as have many of the people/dogs I train from 'pet dog' to Champions and International Champions), Breed, Obedience,Agility, Flyball, qualified for Olympia, Cruft's numerous times including 2010. I have a centre fully equipped, indoor, outdoor with show facilities, two houses, two cars, both new ( one real one for the dogs and one sports car), no debts, all bought and paid for in the last 10 years with money used only from this.....so yes it can pay.

This is a really interesting question. I will be reading the answers to get some good ideas.

Are you a member of the YKC? In October they will be holding an open day for all dog lovers, on careers with dogs. I'm hoping to go along, and maybe you could look into that?

My career changes everyday too. As you are into science why not a vet? Pays very well! Or are you like me, couldn't put someones best friend to sleep?

At current I'm looking into Professional dog trainer, but It does take years and you need lots of qualifications, experience, knowledge etc...

The other week I did two days work experience with the Police dogs. One day with the German Shepherds, another day with the sniffer dogs. It was fascinating and a really interesting career, but your right, you have to be in the Police for two years and then be lucky to find a vacancies with the dogs.

However one of the officers was talking to me about what career I'd like and he told me that only Police work and owning a boarding kennel pays well, and no money is made in dogs.

I'm not too fussed about money over all, as long as I can work along side my best friends and help others bring the best out of their four legged friends.

I have read several books. The One by Patricia McConnell, I believe was "The Other End of the Leash," I know I read it, but don't remember it. I also read Culture Clash, which is ok, but I didn't agree with too much. The is also "The Dog Whisperer" and this one isn't by Cesar, "The Dog Listener," but some of the best are by the Monks of New Skete. They have three books out based on the German Shepherds that they breed and the training that is done by Brother Christopher at there monistary in Cambridge, NY. "How to be Your Dog's Best Friend," "The Art of Raising a Puppy," and "I & Dog." The only book I did not agree with was Culture Clash, and the only reason for this is because at the beginning of the book he states that the old saying "There is no such thing as a bad dog, just bad owners" is nothing more than a myth. I have worked with several different dogs while I was in rescue, aggressive, timid, and hyper. The only problem I have is with the owners of these dogs. Check out these books and let me knwo what you think.

Well, I applaud you for having a good head on your shoulders. You seem more determined and introspective than people in my age group (20-30) and beyond.

I'm 25 and I finally got it through my skull that you can't do much in this country without a degree. Last November I enrolled in Penn Foster's Associate of Science in Veterinary Technology program and am halfway through my first semester. I decided to become a veterinary technician because I've always enjoyed the scientific aspects of animal husbandry. I love to observe, to research, to investigate, and I feel that having a solid scientific backing will give me a good place to start from. I'm particularly interested in behavior, nutrition, and alternative medicine, such as chiropractic and acupuncture.

I was hesitant about enrolling in an online college, because it seems like a scam. Get a degree online? I didn't trust it at first. But believe me, there is no way to pass tests without the knowledge obtained from studying your materials, and this program is awaiting full accredidation from the AVMA, so that's good enough for me. I'm positively broke and since I'm older and married, I can't exactly do the traditional college dorm scene, and this program is far less expensive than state schools.

All of my life, I've been surrounded by animals. As I've grown older, I've found that when I have a job that has nothing to do with animals, I get quite depressed and feel desperate. With a degree and a shortage of veterinary technicians, I can pick up and move anywhere and be assured of a job I'll be happy and comfortable in - it's a great feeling. I can't wait to have the satisfaction of being done with school.

Anyways, my point is this. Absolutely go to school, whatever you decide, and learn as much as you can about everything you can.

I wouldn't advise you to necessarily label yourself to one 'genre,' so to speak, of the dog world. If you want to raise and train Guide Dogs while volunteering your expertise to dogs in the working world (police dogs, etc.) while conducting studies of canine behavior, why not? You really only have one life - why not do it all? You're young yet, you're not yet in college (or are you? My sister-in-law graduated high school at the age of 16), and you have years and years to dabble in everything you'd like.

As for the Negative Nancys here . . . . well, it's too bad they can't keep their bad karma to themselves. We're all strangers here, but hopefully you can take the goodwill of those us who wish you all the best and take it to heart, while ignoring the Debbie Downers. : )

Good luck to you! : )

Well I would focus on dog training and behaviorist. I don't really think they are far off of each other. I wonder if you train dogs if you could do consulting work for government agencies, that way you wouldn't have to work for them directly. Like a bomb dog or something like that. I also think you need to start journaling, because you are a great writer and a book is something you need to be keeping in the back of your mind. I think since you are good with a video camera you could show people who have not owned dogs, how to train them. One of the things I am personally having a problem with is my husbands Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I am good at training herding dogs, who isn't, but I can't seem to train this hunting breed. I have bought 3 books on Cavies so far, and none of them tell you how to train this breed. They all say the breed is so hard to train that they used to put litters to sleep, but no book tells me how to train this difficult breed. I can't find a video that will show me how to train her. The videos just seem to be people giving speeches, but not actually showing you how to train, or the speech is not about training anyway. Shelties have a book called Sheltie Talk and the difference between this book and the books I am buying on Cavies is that Sheltie Talk is like the Bible for shelties. So if you never owned a dog before, you could take this book and pretty much survive with your puppy. So that is what you could focus on in your journey with dogs. Write us a book on different breeds of dogs from a training/behavior standpoint, but actually focus on how to do things like if the person has never owned a dog before, and doesn't know how to train them. Take us step by step through potty training to leashes to agility, but assume we don't have a clue. Don't let the trolls get you down. Chase your own dreams.

Reading your essay I say you can go as far as you want working with dogs.May not pay as much as you want but the rewards are there if this is your intent.You have done your homework and if this is what you have always wanted to do then I say follow your dreams.When you get into the workforce it's what job you really truly enjoy that gets you up in the morning and can't wait to get to work.

i think you would find here http://onlinedogtraining.enle.info/?yIWZ an amazing help! i am currently in the throes of training my new puppy, a german shepherd/alaskan malamute cross who is still just a baby..but i've grown up with dogs...had 2 border collies when i was just a kid.. my sister has a toy poodle, my brother has a lab, and my parents have a toy poodle and a yorkshire terrier/pomeranian cross and we lost a lab last august...

i live with my parents while i'm in school and my mom trained the dogs with Cesar's techniques.. they really do work! and that is what i'm training little Justice with... his techniques i have found more effective than a water spray bottle, rolled up newspaper, yelling or anything else!

my mom trained the lab we lost with the "Lead Training" that a trainer named John Wade taught us. You put the dog on a leash and put the leash around your ankle...wherever you goes, the dog goes and eventually, you can take the dog off for longer and longer periods of time... this works (as far as i understand) because in the end, you could be across the room and the dog will still think s/he is attached to you, therefore deterring any errant behaviour..

if you stick with it, are firm and keep a calm, but assertive, "pack leader" mentality, you will have your little terror :-) trained in no time!

I don't know where you live but you might find these helpful

what is the question?

i would personally suggest you get a dog, train it (at a reputable training facilty/agility facility) and then go from there,,, experience is your best asset

also, try to train a dog thru UD agility.... then and only then will people respect what you will have to teach them

very long.. in fact too long to read! BUT i think if you are passionate about working with canines you need to go to vet school and progress from there... it is a life long learning curve and you could progress from there

The army ...or any other branch of the service...will *NOT* guarantee any specialty.

IF ...big if....after a few years of grunt-work,you actually manage to even see a K-9,you will NOT be allowed to ruin one of their hugely expensive highly trained dogs.

"Ize gotziz one doggy & pway wif it wotz" is NOT worth spit-where's all the TITLES on the multiple dogs you've trained?

There are NO COURSES in any school that mean squat in real dog knowledge-where's all the TITLES?

There are very few people who manage to earn any money working w/animals......the vast majority need a good job to pay from their passion...& that's what you need.

NOT "I'ze a snot-nosed brat wut wuvs doggies & pwaying instant expert on-line. Don't tell me ANY facts,I'ze a AR-brainwashed know-it-all & refuse to accept truth from experienced adults w/out being soaked in cootchy-coo syrup"!