.com Forum · Real Show Dogs

I am very interested in pursuing a career with dogs. I have always loved dogs and have always dreamed of being able to work with dogs on a every day basis.

I am not sure what field to go in, or even where to begin. I just turned 20, and know that I should get a start on this before I get much older.

I have a passion for animals and know that I would be able to get up every day, smile and enjoy my job.

I would just love to hear from people who have worked in either of these fields, how they like it, and what they had to do to obtain their degree/license/what-not. I suppose I am just looking for advice. I had played SD off and on for years, and know that there are some very wise and knowledgable dog people here.

Thanks!

I am a professional groomer and can tell you there are good and bad about it. One bad thing is the clients they tend to be very picky and can be really not understanding if it takes you any time to get them in had someone call today wanting to get in today and called me at 2pm so be aware dealing with the clients there are days I just want to strangle someone. They also at least most of my clients do not keep up on their dogs the dogs come in matted and then they are like I dont want him shaved I want him longer you will slap your forehead a lot.

The other bad the dogs most dogs hate being groomed no matter how you do it and there are groomers out there that ruin dogs I have tons that love me but also have tons that hate being groomed especially the ones that come in matted and then the owners want them brushed out. Be prepared for dogs pooping nad peeing on you, crates, tables, tubs the works the will do it a lot.

The good you have some dogs that just melt your heart and when you take a dog that has been abused by being neglected so badly and you can make them feel better its a great feeling. I have so many dogs that get so excited when they come to see me and love me so thats a great thing its a job you have to love to do because there are more bad owners/dogs then good and you truly have to be doing it because you love the dogs also in my area

I dont make much doing it. I make about half what big city groomers I know make per dog so its not a job you will get rich quick for sure there is a pretty substantial initial investment in gear but you can always start small and build it up. Honestly as far as training and being certified you dont have to be certified to groom but I would recommend and I know some people will slam me here dont go to a grooming school they tend to push tons of dogs at you quickly and dont truly teach you what you need to know and give you enough time and experience to get you proficient at it when you go on your own. I recommend finding a groomer whos wanting an assistant or better yet find a groomer who is ending their career after a long time in it and get them to teach you what you know thats what I did a gal was quiting after 30 years of grooming and she taught me everything I had to know and then I took over the business from there and have built it into my own business since. You will have months you do great and months that suck for income but you take the good with the bad.

I do love my job but there are many days I just want to quit but the dogs welfare is what keeps me going so like I said you have to love your job.

Jana

I am a Vet Tech (the "nurse" and everything else of the vet world) - if youre interested in hearing more about it, let me know!

Hahaa, I knew it would time me out - that was me posting that novel-sized entry above!

Rij

(Dalkeith, Ariege, Northern Lightz, Chaos and Havoc, Rijbakluva, Quileute Legends)

PS: There are so many other things I could write about how much I love my job - but I would be here for years typing hehee!!

Forgot to add two other aspects of vet nursing that a lot of people don't realise:

1. Cleaning! You will spend 100's of hours cleaning as a vet nurse. the simple fact is that animals make mess haha! Running a vet clinic gets messy and you sometimes wonder if you're just a glorified cleaner :P


2. Injuries: be prepared to get bitten, scratched, clawed, attacked, stepped on, knocked over and bruised by animals when working as a vet nurse. Animal teeth and claws are powerful weapons that can cause serious injury. You learn to read an animals behaviour and soon learn how to keep your skin and blood intact but it is very risky at the start. Be prepared to be covered in scratches so often that people think you are self-harming! :P

@Chaos and Havoc

Interesting your experience with the animal labs, I know someone who came at it from a research background who actually liked it, but then she also got to care for rabbits which she had to play with for some amount of time each day and fish which are more pleasant to clean than mice.

grif,

I am a professional service dog trainer. I absolutely love my job. I get to take my two passions, dog training and service work, and combine them. It is not a job for everyone though. Most companies will hire you as an Instructor Assistant before you get accepted into an apprenticeship. Then you have to work your way up and pass multiple written and practical exams to get certified by ADI (Assistance Dogs International)I can take up to 3-4 years to make instructorship.

I also needed prior experience and worked in multiple different private kennels, doggie daycares, and animal shelters.

I also had to be willing to relocated across the country for an undetermined amount of time before being accepted into the apprenticeship, where I had to then relocate again for 6 months before relocating a final time to my determined training region.

If you would like more information about the organization I work for feel free to PM me.

BB

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Last edited by CoffieDog on 3/13/2020 10:52:52 AM

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posted by Chaos and Havoc
Forgot to add two other aspects of vet nursing that a lot of people don't realise:

1. Cleaning! You will spend 100's of hours cleaning as a vet nurse. the simple fact is that animals make mess haha! Running a vet clinic gets messy and you sometimes wonder if you're just a glorified cleaner :P


2. Injuries: be prepared to get bitten, scratched, clawed, attacked, stepped on, knocked over and bruised by animals when working as a vet nurse. Animal teeth and claws are powerful weapons that can cause serious injury. You learn to read an animals behaviour and soon learn how to keep your skin and blood intact but it is very risky at the start. Be prepared to be covered in scratches so often that people think you are self-harming! :P

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That was always my dream job. Very similar to what I did do for 30+ years, (Yes it is) human hospital nursing.

I'm with you PP ... 30+ years of picking shit out of 300lb+ human's pubic hair makes my diversion into human medicine a glaring mistake. The diversion occurred while trying to accumulate funds for vet school and never really caught up .