I Want To Start Working With Dogs?

[haylz27]

It's been almost 2 years since I've finished school and I've been struggling to find what kind of work I want to do. This past year I've realised that I really want to work with dogs; whether it be through volunteering at a shelter, obedience club, doggy day care... But I honestly don't know how to get my foot in the door.

We only have one shelter that I know of near me (Geelong Animal Welfare Shelter) and they do not take volunteers.

I'm not sure where to start. I've looked up some local dog boarding facilities but none are hiring.

Is it unrealistic of me to want to get a job working with dogs? I would say that I'm intermediate when it comes to training but I'm no expert.

I probably won't get many replies, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

[poodlefan]

If you want hope of ever earning more than a minimum wage as a kennel hand or walker, I'd suggest you train for a dog related job eg.

Groomer

Trainer

Dog Handler (police, Customs, AQIS etc)

Vet Nurse

Vet

Canine Chiropractor

Do you currently have a dog? Joining a dog club to train can open a lot of doors.

Edited July 27, 2010 by poodlefan

[karly101]

Also jobs with animals are not everywhere.. you may have to travel to get your foot in the door in the beginning. Perhaps ask any vet clinics, dog groomers near you if they accept any volunteers. Once there you can sign up to TAFE courses to give you some background to the practical side of things. Also... the wage for most of these jobs isn't great.. so probably check them out before you commit yourself to any courses.

[Ravyk]

Not to burst your bubble or anything, but it is an exceedingly hard area to get into and quite a low paying one too. Even volunteering can be difficult to get into. The work is hard and back breaking and at times heartbreaking, it's not all fun and games.

Your best option is to apply for some courses such as NDTF courses in dog training or TAFE courses in vet nursing and go from there. Courses like these will give you a little bit more of a chance of getting into something.

Edited July 27, 2010 by Ravyk

[Sky_Mel]

Definitely try to get any volunteer work you can, that is how I got into the industry as well as doing courses in Animal Care.

[Burkes]

Not to burst your bubble or anything, but it is an exceedingly hard area to get into and quite a low paying one too. Even volunteering can be difficult to get into.

Yep, most of them don't pay much. Hence why I work in the public service and then just volunteer and foster for a rescue organisation.

But, I would just try and do as much as you can while you have the opportunity. Eg NDTF courses. Can you foster or volunteer for a rescue organisation that is not a shelter?

If Vic is anything like Canberra there will be heaps of jobs with mobile dog washing companies.

[Brennan's Mum]

I don't think it's unrealistic to want to work with dogs. There are many ways to work with dogs depending on your interest. I was in the same position last year..I realised I wanted to spend my life working with dogs.

I have been really lucky in getting the opportunity to volunteer with a brilliant Positive Reinforcement trainer in Brisbane . This all came out of Facebook...earlier in the year Danielle and I became Facebook friends thanks to having many mutual friends ( a large group of PR trainer's are on Facebook and all friend each other to share idea's etc). Danielle quickly became some one who gave me great advice and we get along well. I mentioned to Danielle that I want to learn to become a PR trainer first and foremost to increase my knowledge and help me with my dog, but also if a career came out of it that's a bonus. Anyway a few months ago after a few hints here and there she said to me about making the move to Brisbane to volunteer and learn from her.

Of course it will only be a volunteer role to start off with and will see how I go as to whether I become a paid worker. However I am thrilled I just want to get the chance to be around some one who is an award winning trainer and to learn from her and her colleagues. So as far as the tasks I will be doing...I really don't care..I'm just happy to have the chance

I should probably point out that this has really been a luck of the draw thing for me, thanks in part to getting to know some one willing to allow me to tag along and learn from her. It's not without sacrifices though. To do this I will be leaving my hometown of Adelaide and moving to Brisbane which is going to cost me a lot of money, as well as be a huge change.

But I really suggest volunteering and courses. Be prepared to volunteer for anything, even if it is not 'ideal' and consider the fact that you may need to relocate to increase your chances.

Edited July 27, 2010 by Brennan's Mum

[Skitch]

Do Vet Nursing through tafe . You wont regret it.. opened up SO MANY doors for me! It's a two year course with a six month work placement.. you learn so much and people are really willing to take you seriously when you've got your cert 4! It can just be a stepping stone to other things too, alot of the vet nurses I studied with have gone on to do Animal Science at Uni..I was considering that until I got pregnant . But yeah, since completing vet nursing I've worked at clinics, shelters, pet shops, done a ton of volunteering and it was all well worth it. What everyone here says is right though, it's hard to get your foot in the door but once you've got some experience under your belt it's much easier to find something to do in the animal industry .

[Ravyk]

You need to be really committed to the work too if you want to succeed and do well. What in part are you interested in? Vet nursing? Or dog training? Or some other area?

I have a friend who is training to be a vet nurse. She says it is some of the most tiring work you can do and the most heartbreaking. She hates it when she they have to put down animals. And to top things off she had to help euthanise her own dog who suffered from a unrecoverable injury.

I've helped out vets before on call outs to neighbours for larger animals. Helping pull half dead calves from cows isn't the funnest thing to be doing at 11pm on a winters night.

Im sorry for going off on a tangent but what I am trying to say is, you will get covered in blood, sweat, slime and shit in most jobs with animals. It's not all about cuddling cute kittens and puppies and every story has a happy ending, which a lot [i'm not say you think this] of people think being a vet nurse or working with animals is.

[Skitch]

You need to be really committed to the work too if you want to succeed and do well. What in part are you interested in? Vet nursing? Or dog training? Or some other area?

I have a friend who is training to be a vet nurse. She says it is some of the most tiring work you can do and the most heartbreaking. She hates it when she they have to put down animals. And to top things off she had to help euthanise her own dog who suffered from a unrecoverable injury.

I've helped out vets before on call outs to neighbours for larger animals. Helping pull half dead calves from cows isn't the funnest thing to be doing at 11pm on a winters night.

Im sorry for going off on a tangent but what I am trying to say is, you will get covered in blood, sweat, slime and shit in most jobs with animals. It's not all about cuddling cute kittens and puppies and every story has a happy ending, which a lot [i'm not say you think this] of people think being a vet nurse or working with animals is.

All very true! But for me the positives far out weigh the negatives.. cant wait to get this baby out of me and get back into it. It's a very hard (and severely underpaid) career but is super rewarding and I would do it over anything else.

But just because you complete the vet nursing course doesn't mean you HAVE to be a vet nurse.. a few girls I know ended up in doggy day care, at kennels/boarding kennels, and other similar places. Even Cert 2 in Animal Care/studies would be a good place to start!

[Sky_Mel]

That is something I come across alot, A lot of people think the day entails just playing with cute animals but there are other things including ALOT of cleaning. In saying that though I love the industry I am in but definitely be prepared for hard work.

The courses I have done in Animal care have been challenging but in saying that I thoroughly enjoyed them

[Ravyk]

You need to be really committed to the work too if you want to succeed and do well. What in part are you interested in? Vet nursing? Or dog training? Or some other area?

I have a friend who is training to be a vet nurse. She says it is some of the most tiring work you can do and the most heartbreaking. She hates it when she they have to put down animals. And to top things off she had to help euthanise her own dog who suffered from a unrecoverable injury.

I've helped out vets before on call outs to neighbours for larger animals. Helping pull half dead calves from cows isn't the funnest thing to be doing at 11pm on a winters night.

Im sorry for going off on a tangent but what I am trying to say is, you will get covered in blood, sweat, slime and shit in most jobs with animals. It's not all about cuddling cute kittens and puppies and every story has a happy ending, which a lot [i'm not say you think this] of people think being a vet nurse or working with animals is.

All very true! But for me the positives far out weigh the negatives.. cant wait to get this baby out of me and get back into it. It's a very hard (and severely underpaid) career but is super rewarding and I would do it over anything else.

But just because you complete the vet nursing course doesn't mean you HAVE to be a vet nurse.. a few girls I know ended up in doggy day care, at kennels/boarding kennels, and other similar places. Even Cert 2 in Animal Care/studies would be a good place to start!

Yes I'm not trying to put aside the positives, but just show what some of the down sides are. I find the role of a vet or a vet nurse or even a dog trainer has been severely romanticised by the general public into some happy fuzzy job where everything has a happy ending.

I'm looking at studying Vet Nursing next year [if I remember to put my application in on time this time!].

[haylz27]

I'm interested in working specifically with dogs. I've already looked into doing Animal Studies (Vet Nursing) course at TAFE before but in the end I chickened out because I don't think it's what I want to do.

I didn't know that the pay in most animal-related jobs is low.

Perhaps I should be more focused on actually getting a proper part-time/full-time job for now and focus on working with dogs later on?

I just wanted to see how people start out in these careers. Cheers

[karly101]

Probably not a bad idea to focus on another job and perhaps volunteer on the side just to give you an idea whether its the right industry for you...

To do vet nursing at tafe in VIC you do need 15 hours of paid work a week.. plus the course fees so yes its a big commitment if you are not sure thats what you actually want to do!

And to give you some ideas on pay scales... I earn more at Safeway than I do as my job as a vet nurse (in training but even once qualified I won't earn as much as I do at Safeway on weekends).. the award rate for working with animals is pretty bad but I do enjoy the job.

[Skitch]

I think if you're not willing to study you probably wouldn't have had much hope getting a job working with animals anyway. Animal Studies cert 2 (completely different to vet nursing - prepares you for work in places like kennels) is pretty much the minimum that most shelters, boarding kennels, etc would take someone on with. They can afford to be picky because there are just SO MANY people wanting to do these jobs!

And yep.. pay is absolute crap unless you're lucky enough to work for someone who will pay you above the norm. I'm working as a checkout chick through my pregnancy and get paid more per hour than I ever did as a vet nurse in most clinics.. sucky but true!

[Sayly]

I work in a boarding kennels and recently got a job as a casual vet nurse.

I got the boarding kennel job through a friend. We both show dogs and she was friends with the owner. Introduced me to the boss who also breeds and shows dogs and I think my dog showing interest/experience and being a vet student was a big part of getting the job. I love my job! It's cleaning more than anything else and you spend more time doing that than physically doing something with the dogs but I really enjoy working around dogs (and cats) and working with others who share how I feel. I also love my boss who is now a dog breeding mentor.

The vet nursing job I got by applying to an advert at uni looking for a vet student for casual work at the clinic. That wouldn't have happened had I not been studying to be a vet. Still alot of cleaning.

Working in both the kennels and the clinic requires good people skills too, you are often on the phone to them or dealing with them face to face.

You will get dirty doing both, could you deal with a stinking, infected wound or putting your hand into a pile of dog poo accidently?

Do you have the option of uni? An animal science degree might suit you?

You need to be really committed to the work too if you want to succeed and do well. What in part are you interested in? Vet nursing? Or dog training? Or some other area?

I have a friend who is training to be a vet nurse. She says it is some of the most tiring work you can do and the most heartbreaking. She hates it when she they have to put down animals. And to top things off she had to help euthanise her own dog who suffered from a unrecoverable injury.

I've helped out vets before on call outs to neighbours for larger animals. Helping pull half dead calves from cows isn't the funnest thing to be doing at 11pm on a winters night.

Im sorry for going off on a tangent but what I am trying to say is, you will get covered in blood, sweat, slime and shit in most jobs with animals. It's not all about cuddling cute kittens and puppies and every story has a happy ending, which a lot [i'm not say you think this] of people think being a vet nurse or working with animals is.

All very true! But for me the positives far out weigh the negatives.. cant wait to get this baby out of me and get back into it. It's a very hard (and severely underpaid) career but is super rewarding and I would do it over anything else.

But just because you complete the vet nursing course doesn't mean you HAVE to be a vet nurse.. a few girls I know ended up in doggy day care, at kennels/boarding kennels, and other similar places. Even Cert 2 in Animal Care/studies would be a good place to start!

Yes I'm not trying to put aside the positives, but just show what some of the down sides are. I find the role of a vet or a vet nurse or even a dog trainer has been severely romanticised by the general public into some happy fuzzy job where everything has a happy ending.

I'm looking at studying Vet Nursing next year [if I remember to put my application in on time this time!].

Completely agree.

ETA: And as everyone else has said, the pay sucks!

Edited July 27, 2010 by Lyndsay

[dancinbcs]

I'm interested in working specifically with dogs. I've already looked into doing Animal Studies (Vet Nursing) course at TAFE before but in the end I chickened out because I don't think it's what I want to do.

I didn't know that the pay in most animal-related jobs is low.

Perhaps I should be more focused on actually getting a proper part-time/full-time job for now and focus on working with dogs later on?

I just wanted to see how people start out in these careers. Cheers

Some of the most successful trainers started by training their own dog to the highest level in obedience and dog sports, volunteering to instruct with their local training club, and built up a reputation as a good trainer. From there you can start giving private lessons and go on to become a full time trainer.

Most jobs just "working with dogs" are very badly paid so you really need to specialise in something, be it training, grooming or whatever. If you want to work as groomer start training now, otherwise get a job that will allow you to have the finances to buy, train and compete with a really good dog, and take it from there.

[RubyStar]

When I was in high school, I wanted to be a vet nurse so I volunteered at a local vet clinic weekly for about 6 months. Lots of cleaning the kennels, but also got to sit in on consults and operations. In the end I had to give it up, and my idea of becoming a vet nurse, because I soon discovered that I am no good with watching operations I fainted, with it one minute, out cold the next I am so glad that I discovered that it wasn't for me before I pursued tertiary studies in it!

[RubyStar]

I have heard many times that general dog jobs is low paying, but what about specialised ones? For example, would a Guide Dog trainer get paid a decent wage? It all seems to be hush hush about what specialised dog jobs get paid!

[Debyork2]

You may be able to find a job in a grooming salon-they seem to be everywhere these days, obviously you wouldn't be let loose with clippers etc at the beginning , I used to work in a salon that a young girl used to just do bathing and drying-she had the opportunity to go on and learn to clip, scissor etc, as it happens she didn't want to but I'm sure there would be positions such as hers available. I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned it (to early in the morning to read all the posts!) but AQIS uses dogs and I have seen them advertising in the past for trainee dog handlers... also the armed forces but not sure if they have female dog handlers-surely they do in this enlightened age