Career In Something To Do With Dogs

[Gretel]

I'm reading this with interest too as I've just handed in my resignation.

[Leema]

I worked at an animal shelter, in their boarding kennels, for three years.

I then got my current position, co-ordinator of the Delta Dog Safe program. I have been doing this for just over two years.

I have a couple of plans I'd like to try;

The first is, I'd like to do my Graduate Diploma of Psychology, to then do Honours in Psychology, and perhaps specialise in animal (particularly dog) behaviour.

Secondly, I'd like to become dog trainer on paper through the NDTF or Delta course.

My long term goals is to perhaps run a shelter and/or boarding kennels and dog training business (especially with children) in regional areas. It's a long way away, but I've got plenty to do in the meantime.

[milly2]

Dog walking, and grooming.

[Weasels]

It might help to think where your skills and interests lie other than animals.

Are you good with people? Dog training jobs will require a lot of interaction with different kinds of people, and your people/communication skills will probably be what makes or breaks your business.

Specific training jobs (customs, police, military etc.) will usually require you to be in the organisation for a time first, so it's worth thinking about how you would fit in and work with the people in these types of jobs, and if you are happy to do the job until a dog-related position opens up.

Do you like making things and prefer running your own business? You could move into the dog food/toys direction and advertise your goods at dog-friendly markets or dog events.

Etc.

Good luck :)

[Ben and Jerry]

Maybe something like an in store demonstrator? Not a job that deals directly with dogs but you do get to hear some interesting stories, help owners with some issues they may be having with there dogs and even get to meet dogs on the odd occassion.

[alpha bet]

Hate to tell you but there are very very very few people who actually make a decent living working with dogs. Ask around with trainers/behaviours etc you know and ask them....

First consider a groomer - employed by a salon - working often on part time hours at basic wages. If you own the salon you might make money but you have incredibly high overheads and all the risk of running a business.

Next consider a mobile groomer - costs to purchase a franchise between $20,000 and $40,000 - a full days work driving from one dog to another means perhaps 6-8 dogs per day @ most $55 for clips but more likely $25-30 for washes, So perhaps a really good day could be $300 over 5 days (of which you will find you end up working most weekends) sounds good at $1,500 per week - but take away franchise fees, advertising, insurances, running your vehicle and turning up and clients have forgotton you where coming. Also no sick days, holiday pay or super. If it doesnt work out and you want to sell unless your lucky to find another sucker you hand your franchise back and get nothing.

Rescue Centre - mostly volunteers with a few paid staff, but even then money is always tight with any rescue group and wages do not get priorities.

Assistance Dog Trainer - no money available and therefore generally done on volunteer basis.

Dog Trainer - you need experience which means you need to work at a club or with a trainer probably as a volunteer (no money for years) until you have the expertise and ability then you need to fork out money advertising, insurances, a professional website, further development for courses etc for about 5 years to start to build a reputation within a community where you might then start to cover costs and perhaps make a little extra.

Behaviourist - spend 3 years or so gaining a degree and then perhaps further studies and then hope that someone wants to employ you because you have this bit of paper..... otherwise you go thru all the same things as setting up as a dog trainer.

Health professionals - acupunture, massage, bowens etc.... same problems as setting up as a dog trainer and behaviourist.

Boarding Kennel attendant - basic wage, very little imput, picking up shit, washing down floors, washing dogs under a fairly strict time frame. Not much time allowed to enjoy playing with dogs.

Boarding Kennel owner - own a property where you can get a permit and then spend $300,000 to build, then all the problems with running a business.

Customs, Police - All take time, but customs do take in handlers from time to time - and the advantage is wages, sick leave, super etc.

Pet Supplies Industry - Either as a shop attendant or in sales or administration - again wages, sick leave etc... Perhaps you could consider making dog products to sell online, Blackdog started out as a bit of a sideline.

I dont want to sound negative but my advise is try all the things you enjoy but consider doing this in your spare time and build your experience while you bring in a wage to live in the boring normal world. Often when enrolling for courses it can be made to sound as tho there are jobs out there, but look everywhere, where are these jobs advertised..... not in the paper, not at centrelink.... anything that might become available is often through word of mouth.

Perhaps in time other options might become more viable.

Edited March 27, 2012 by alpha bet

[Nushie]

I have been looking for work in the animal industry for the past 3-4 months. From what i have seen, there isn't much available and the ones that are all want experience.

At the moment i am studying Certificate II in animal studies. I am hoping that will give me a bit of an in so that when i am done i can start looking at maybe doing some volunteer work in my spare time, build my skills and experience and then start seriously looking for job.

Have you considered working as a vet receptionist?? I know a lot of the smaller vets just use their vet nurses to man the reception but some of the bigger ones dont. I believe you get paid under the administration award so the pay is better and you still get to work in a vet but just dont do any of the hands on stuff.

[Poppy's mum]

I have been looking for work in the animal industry for the past 3-4 months. From what i have seen, there isn't much available and the ones that are all want experience.

At the moment i am studying Certificate II in animal studies. I am hoping that will give me a bit of an in so that when i am done i can start looking at maybe doing some volunteer work in my spare time, build my skills and experience and then start seriously looking for job.

Have you considered working as a vet receptionist?? I know a lot of the smaller vets just use their vet nurses to man the reception but some of the bigger ones dont. I believe you get paid under the administration award so the pay is better and you still get to work in a vet but just dont do any of the hands on stuff.

Hey Nushie, where are you doing your CERTAIN II. I'm at Tafe with a class full of school leavers who want to be zoo keepers. One ex-pet shop owner who is a professional snake handler/catcher. Some work volunteer positions at pounds/RSPCA. Not much paying work out there and lots of competition.

Sorry about the certain, can't edit on iPad I meant cert II.

Edited March 28, 2012 by Poppy's mum

[Kavik]

My experience (having worked as vet nurse, assistant groomer, dog daycare attendant, animal attendant) is that the pay is very low, the hours run early and late, the work is very physical and dirty, and the turnover is often quite high. My main issue is that the pay does not go up very much, even with experience and qualifications, unless you go into a very specialised field, and there is a LOT of competition for those positions.

I am looking to compromise. Try to stay in an industry/area that has to do with animals, but in a position that does not directly deal with the animals and is better paying. Such as customer service/support/call centre/reception. My last job (before I had baby #2) was at WIRES, which I really enjoyed.

Edited March 28, 2012 by Kavik