Some Careers For Dog Lovers

Have you ever wanted to work with dogs for a living? If you are a dog lover, then having a career involving dogs can be a dream come true. Every job has its pros and cons and dog-related jobs are no exception. However, a dog-related job can be rewarding and fun if you choose the one that’s right for you.

Check out some careers for dog lovers to see if one of these careers is for you and find out what you need to do to get started.

1. Animal Behavior

Animal behaviorists work with pets and their owners to implement programs designed to solve unwanted behaviors in pets.

Applied Animal Behaviorists have completed postgraduate programs in a behavioral science and passed rigorous requirements. They recommend behavior modification, desensitization, training, and other methods to help solve pet behavior problems. In a way, they are to animals as psychologists are to humans.

Veterinary Behaviorists are licensed veterinarians who complete internships, residencies and pass advanced requirements to become board-certified specialists. Veterinary behaviorists work in a similar manner to applied animal behaviorists. In addition, they can diagnose and treat medical conditions and prescribe medications if needed. In this way, they are similar to human psychiatrists.

The downsides of this career:

– Not all dog owners take the advice of experts and implement plans, which can be frustrating.

– Injury from dog bites or scratches is a risk, especially with aggressive or fearful animals.

2. Boarding Kennels or Doggie Day Care

If you want to spend time with healthy dogs, consider working in a boarding kennel or doggie day care center. These jobs are often available to those with no previous experience, and training is done on-site. With experience, you may eventually become a manager or business owner.

Doggie daycare workers supervise playtime for dogs that stay for the day. Kennel attendants care for and clean up after dogs that are boarding for days to weeks. Dog kennels and daycare centers sometimes operate under the same roof. However, some kennels are part of a veterinary practice, providing an opportunity to cross-train as a vet assistant.

The downsides of this career:

– Dog bites and dog fights can happen.

– You’ll come into contact with poop and pee, spending much of your time cleaning.

– It’s messy, hard work for little pay, especially at the entry level.

3. Dog Breeding

Becoming a dog breeder is about more than just letting purebred dogs have puppies and then selling them. If this is your mindset, then it is not for you. Though dog breeding can eventually become a career, it is wise to start out thinking of it as a serious hobby.

To become a dog breeder, one must be dedicated to maintaining breed standards and keeping the dogs healthy and happy. Before getting started, it is essential to network with other more experienced breeders with excellent reputations. You will ideally start out with a mentor who can help you learn the ropes. It takes a serious investment of time and money to be a responsible breeder, but it can be very rewarding in the end.

The downsides of this career:

– Breeding dogs can take a financial and emotional toll.

– A profit may not be made for several generations, if ever.

By thespruce