Doggy careers

blackcob

blackcob

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As I mentioned on another thread recently this summer/autumn is all change in the BC household - I'm finally finishing up my bloody degree, which I should never have started in the first place (:o) and can get started with the Grand Life Plan.

Which doesn't exist yet. :p However I've done lots of thinking of late, a bit of counselling, a few revelations and I'm trying to encourage myself to think a bit bigger and, y'know, actually consider the idea of a dream job rather than being stuck in an office 9-5 as I'd resigned myself to being.

So, with that in mind, and to help fulfil my counselling 'homework' for the week, can anyone help contribute to my list of potential careers that involve working at least partly outdoors, with varied/flexible hours or shifts, certainly no rigid patterns, involving animals in general and especially dogs? Moving anywhere in the UK to do it wouldn't be a problem (with the possible exception of city centres, the dogs have to be able to come with me). It must result in a livable salary so nothing voluntary or seasonal and must not require a specific degree, I refuse to go back to university!

So far I have:

Police dog handler (very long term project but doable)

Zoo keeper (going to be difficult, positions are few and far between, NVQ or similar and unpaid volunteer work would be needed)

Dog trainer (not ideal as unlike the name suggests it's more about training people than dogs, would require further qualifications, no fixed income, would give complete autonomy though)

Working in an RSPCA/Dogs Trust/similar centre (not RSPCA inspector. Lots of job satisfaction there though pay is likely to be low)

What am I missing? Try not to laugh, we're thinking BIG here, how I would go actually go about pursuing these things is next week's homework. :p
 
I'd go for dog handler- would not have to be police tho- could be search and rescue/sniffer dogs etc, may be easier than having to become a cop.

Zoo keeper is PANTS money
 
I don't want to pee on your chips but all forces are cutting back and in a lot of cases already serving officers fill the waiting lists for places on the dog unit - it is the least attainable option on your list.

But good luck :D

You could try getting work experience in some of the kennels/broker agencies who supply and train working dogs but you would probably have to start at the smelly end :p
 
I know, hence very long term project. :p If I could get in there would be worse places than the police force to be working while waiting 10+ years for a dog position to come up. Being a bog standard bobby ticks most of the other boxes anyway. Our local force isn't recruiting at the moment, Fire Service is though, they've sent me a snazzy DVD and leaflets.

Not willing to join the army and go for it that way. :p
 
Dog handler is a very long term project - no one is recruiting and it is the hardest department to get in.

Also think about how you would feel doing the job, always single crewed, mostly used for VERY violent incidents, tracking alone at night running after someone with a knife isn't as much fun as it looks on the telly and the most important aspect, your dog is a piece of equipment, as such it is more disposable than an officer, you would be expected to send your dogs into things where it could get horrifically injured or killed.
 
I am trying to be as realistic as possible about it Murphs_Mum, I know it wouldn't be an easy road even to get into the force never mind the dog bit. The physical aspect doesn't worry me at all (exactly the kind of thing I want to be doing!) but the psychological side of things would need a bit of wrangling, I'm sure. My dad is ex forces and worked with dogs in Iraq and Afghan, they lost one while they were out there, as you say directly sacrificed to save a lad's life, I'd like to think it's something I could deal with.

Anyway, that would be a very long road. Something to think about. Like I say they're not recruiting here, fire service is though (I live directly opposite the station) which could be another in road to a non 9-5 desk job for me, no animals though, unless cats really do get stuck up trees. :p
 
In my area there is a massive call for dog walkers and groomers. Not my cup of tea, but my friend has started her own walking business and grooms in some eves and she is beating them off with a stick!
 
itsmylife said:
Assistance dog handler? vet nurse? animal physio?
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Latter two would require going back to college/uni, something I'm absolutely not prepared to do. :( I will however look into the first, thank you, there's lots of assistance dog charities springing up these days.

Dog grooming is absolutely out, I'd go stir-crazy standing still and doing the same thing all the time, plus I have an unreasonable dislike of small fluffy dogs. :o
 
Dog walking could be promising, there's a possibility I could set up under our trainer, she already has one guy walking for her in another area, means all the branding, insurance etc. is covered already. It's something I'm going to moot with her soon. :)

The only catch with this one is that OH isn't keen, citing irregular/low income, unless there's an actual wage attached he doesn't consider it a job. :rolleyes:
 
Sorry if I'm suggesting the obvious : dog walker, dog trainer, "animal aux pair" (I used to see that advertised alot!), dog day care centre, boarding kennel assistant, show kennel assistant (can be random hours though).................breeder :P

From what I see more of nowadays, zoo keepers require a degree and species-specific experience for sod all money shovelling crap. It depends on what zoo you're in though I suppose!


.......................................... I don't know what has happened to it since jan but petsmiles.com had loads of good jobs up on a regular basis last year. if you want zoo jobs go to biaza.com.............. I just went on the vacancies page and it said PENGUIN TRAINER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHH!!!! That has to be my dream job *cries* :( :(
 
sorry biaza.org.uk :)

also if you search for dog jobs all over the UK on direct.gov i've seen some really good ones on there! There was actually a working sibe kennel looking for full time staff but it's been filled!
 
stargirl88 said:
There was actually a working sibe kennel looking for full time staff but it's been filled!
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There's a couple of these around at the moment, Alaska, Canada etc. - the only thing stopping me is that they're only 6 month posts and I have my own dogs in the UK to think about. :(

Thank you for the website rec though. You are right about the zoo thing, I have many years of experience in shovelling various types of ****, apparently I would also need a degree and unpaid internship to be paid a pittance for doing so. :p
 
Sorry one more thing :) about what I was saying with Zoo animals etc.......... the penguin trainer job requires "a minimum of three years experience working with sealions and penguins"
Which one can obtain easily in their nearest penguin shelter :mad::mad::mad:
 
Trying and failing to find out the recruitment processes for dog wardens. :confused: Council websites are notoriously crap!

I will have a BA in English (lit rather than language based).
 
blackcob said:
, no animals though, unless cats really do get stuck up trees. :p
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well horses round here definitely get stuck in ditches requiring assistance!

I can also confirm that cleaning out penguin nests is an absolutely disgusting job, they stink :o.

eta re the dog warden, I did some work experience with them years ago.. my council had one full and one part time who was a bit of a newbie and not quite as confident. I don't remember asking them how she had got the job but imagine that it was very much based on experience. You would certainly have to be confident dealing with people though too. if you can't get much info it might be worth ringing your local dog warden and asking them how they got the job!
 
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Dog wardening can be dodging depending on area and you would have to enforce the DDA whether you agree with it or not.

Customs is like police, you do not automatically go into the dog section and you can be transferred at any time.
Prison handlers I have come across here just walk up and down a fence with a dog on the end of a lead :o :o :o

Again not meaning to put a downer on things, just be prepared!
 
Any work with animals is basic rate,and dirty with unsocial hours. Get used to being cold and wet ,probably being expected to work solo,so not for chatty types at all. Stick to a 9--5 comfy office is my advice!
 
Want to avoid meedja if at all possible (I know, an English grad who doesn't want to teach or be a journo, what was the point in that? :p).

Can't do the 9-5 office thing, did it for 18 months, came out a quivering wreck and would have been suicidal if I'd stayed any longer. Need to be outside doing stuff or at least some variety in tasks. As a female arts grad with no specific skills I am quite resigned to having a low wage for some time. :o
 
blackcob said:
Want to avoid meedja if at all possible (I know, an English grad who doesn't want to teach or be a journo, what was the point in that? :p).

Can't do the 9-5 office thing, did it for 18 months, came out a quivering wreck and would have been suicidal if I'd stayed any longer. Need to be outside doing stuff or at least some variety in tasks. As a female arts grad with no specific skills I am quite resigned to having a low wage for some time. :o
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But you would be if interviewing dog owners/ kennels/etc etc, so dont write off writing totally....
 
Ah sorry going to sound like a biatch again :o

There is not much availability/scope out there in dog publications. Most of the stuff/reports are submitted for free ;) so BC has the right idea in that regard. And obviously as a niche area a lot of the good jobs are already snapped up.

Personally, if I could find full time work with dogs and it was financially viable, I would be doing it already and so would a lot of other people I know. No bank is going to give me a loan right now to start up on my own.
 
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