If you want to work with dogs for a living, here are my favourites for careers that appeal to dog lovers. The potential for you to be bitten by a dog exists in all of these job choices, although some more than others. Care needs to be taken at all times when you are dealing with dogs that you are responsible for, especially when they are not your own. The required education and liability are also detracting factors in some of these choices, so choose wisely and educate yourself appropriately.
1. Dog Groomer
This job gets my number one spot because the only drawbacks are small in comparison to the other jobs. You get hands-on time with dogs of all sizes and shapes, you make them look and smell pretty, and it can be done in your own home. My girly side sees this as the ultimate dog lover's career.Hazards:
Hopefully the owners are sensible enough to warn you if their dog may bite, and you can set your own rules about how much you'll tolerate. You may also encounter some unpleasant fur inhabitants.
2. Doggy Daycare Operator
You're going to get a lot of hands-on experience with dogs with this number two career, too. It can also be operated out of your own home, and you can set your own rules of conduct. Playing with dogs for a living ... what could go wrong?Hazards:
Dog bites, and dog fights. Running a full daycare, you'll likely have more than one strange dog in your day. It would be hard to spend time equally with each individually, as well as counter-productive, since a daycare is an ideal socialization setting.
3. Dog Trainer - Behaviourist
Dog training and behaviour modification is definitely rewarding work. Whether you are training just the dog, or training the owner to handle his or her dog, you'll be working closely with your favourite animal.Hazards:
You may run into unpleasant owners who are either unwilling to work with you, won't follow directions, or want you to train the dog in a way you are uncomfortable with.
4. Boarding Kennel Owner or Employee
Get to know different dogs for days or weeks at a time, care for them, play with them, and be their short-term family. It's a great job for a dog lover who can't have one at home for any reason.Hazards:
Getting too attached to the dogs can make it tough to see them go home after, but at least it's a happy good-bye. Owners might also be a pain in the neck, especially if a dog gets sick in your care and you aren't allowed to seek veterinary care for him.
5. Veterinarian and Veterinary Technician
Having the power and knowledge to bring health to ill animals, or deliver puppies, or save the lives of dogs ... it is immensely rewarding work if you can deal with it. Thousands of animal lovers go to school for veterinary medicine every year.Hazards:
Worse than expensive schooling, and inevitable dog bites, is the heartbreak. Euthanizing healthy dogs because the owner no longer wants them, trying to fix a broken dog and failing, or arguing with owners who won't spend money to help their dog.
