Working with dogs. Does anyone?

[WelshRareBit]

I have long been thinking that Id love to work with dogs.

I currently work in admin which neither fulfils nor inspires me - and I really fancy getting into working with dogs.

I have done a lot of work with various local rescues, including walking, bathing and socialising dogs, and have had dogs from an early age including one fear-aggressive dog.

Im not adverse to poop cleaning, pee cleaning, spew and everything else (as Ive done this for the past 13 years) and Im definitely fit.

Id love to work at a rescue or kennels, especially training. Is this something Id need to get qualifications for?

Does anyone have an inside knowledge for me?

 

[CAYLA]

You could say so

.....Im a vet nurse, so deal with dogs in my job.

I groom/style dogs in my spare time(what spare time

)

I have my own dog boarding business....from home

I also spent a fair bit of time helping people with behavioural probs....but only for the rescue dogs.


My life seems to revolve around dogs

not that Im complaining I could not imagine myself doing anything else.

However its not all fun and games either

 

[CAYLA]

Sorry I did not read the latter part.

You can gain qualifications that would stand u in good stead via college/home study....but most importantly practical experience.....which u mentioned u did in rescue kennels.
You could get more varied experience by volunteering in vets, grooming parlours, kennels e,t,c anything hands on really.

I attended an agricultural college for 3 years where I gained most of my qualifications.....as well as practical.
I spent all my youth hanging around the vets watching the operations/helping out as my mam is a vet nurse also, and we have always had dogs of our own aswell as the rescues coming and going and horses.

PM me if I can help u

 

[bonney]

i agree with cala volunteering to do free work just to get the experience.But most jobs are min wage.Why not try a local college and do a dog grooming course i did and i loved it.

 

[kcgibson]

hi, im a vet nurse too and i love it! Could you think about doing that? If not, we had a girl on work experience who went on to set up her own dog grooming business! Maybe that is something you could study around you own job so your not out of work for any length of time. Another option is working for hearing dogs for deaf people of dogs for the blind. There are all sorts of different positions within those companies. Another option is working at rescue kennels at the weekend or gaining work at your local vets as cala suggested.
Something else to consider is becoming a canine behaviourist. Thats another thing you could maybe study alongside your current job and then set up your own business. You could set it up whilst still orking then think about leaving your current job once you get going. I would imagine that to be very rewarding. You can run classes as well as help with 'problem dogs'.
Hope that helps and good luck whatever you decide.