If you have a passion for spending time with your beloved dogs, you might want to think about transforming it into a sideline or even a full-time job.
We examined a few of the top professions for individuals who adore dogs, the potential earnings associated with each, and delved into their advantages and disadvantages!
Determine whether you have a future career working with dogs!
Job #1: Veterinary Assistant
At a veterinarian clinic, a veterinary assistant performs a range of duties. These may include assisting during veterinary check-ups and surgeries, as well as handling basic tasks such as scheduling appointments and addressing collar-related matters.
Although not mandatory, numerous individuals opt to undergo numerous veterinary science courses before applying for a job as a veterinary assistant. The American Veterinary Medical Association’s authorized website offers a list of authorized veterinary science courses that you may explore.
The median wage for a veterinary assistant, as reported by Chron.com, falls anywhere between $11.75 and $16.81 per hour. Conversely, those in the lowest 10th percentile can expect to earn around $8.16 per hour.
Job #2: Professional Dog Groomer
Becoming a professional dog groomer can be a profitable career choice. You can either work for an established company or venture into freelance grooming if you have a sufficient number of dog owners willing and able to pay for your services.
Although not a mandatory requirement for the job, there are online courses available for professional dog grooming. Examples include the JKL diploma course in dog grooming, dog grooming courses offered by the Pet Industry Federation, and courses provided by QC Pet Studies.
The average pay for professional dog groomers varies greatly depending on factors such as the employer, level of experience, and variety of offered services. Hourly rates can fall within the range of $8.86 to $20.59 as reported by PayScale.com.
Job #3: Dog Walker
Why not think about becoming a professional dog walker if you enjoy taking walks and have some spare time?
In bustling places such as New York, one has the potential to earn a decent income by providing dog walking services for busy individuals who are unable to spare the time for it. It’s a career with promising prospects.
While it is not necessary to possess qualifications to work as a professional dog walker, it is recommended to gain some hands-on experience.
Keeping the dogs safe is a major priority when you are responsible for walking them. Your duty is not limited to just taking them for a stroll, but also ensuring their safety while taking them from one place to another and back. This implies that you cannot schedule the walk of an aggressive Rottweiler with a miniature schnauzer as you are aware that they will not get along well.
It is advisable to think about obtaining liability insurance if you operate a dog walking business to cover any injuries caused by the dog you are walking to you, other people, or other dogs.
On average, a dog walker earns $13.27 per hour, as reported by PayScale.com.
Job #4: Dog Trainer
If people frequently refer to you as the dog whisperer, perhaps you should contemplate pursuing a career as a dog trainer.
It is recommended to explore the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (UK) as this particular job requires more training compared to others on the list.
Diverse types of dog training are available, and you need to choose what you want to impart to your dogs. Specific courses are designed for service dog or K9 unit training, and you have to modify your abilities accordingly.
Engaging in the effort of aiding ordinary dog owners in improving their training skills and comprehension of their furry companions is also a commendable undertaking!
According to Study.com, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that dog trainers earn an annual mean salary of $33,600, which translates to a monthly pay of $2,800. However, PayScale.com presents a considerably lower average hourly rate, indicating that dog trainers typically earn around $11.12 per hour.
Job #5: Dog Sitting
Currently, there is a significant demand for dog sitting. With daily travel being common, some individuals embark on extended vacations in the Caribbean while others must attend to sudden business trips lasting a few days. Consequently, many pet owners struggle to find someone to feed and look after their animals.
Your involvement could be essential in this. The potential fees for a skilled dog caregiver differ greatly and are dependent on the location you are in and the type of services you provide, such as being a live-in pet sitter or taking them for walks intermittently.
Being a dog sitter presents two possible opportunities.
- Go watch a dog at an owner’s house and move in for the week
- Gave the dog come bunk up with you
If you opt to become a house sitter and take care of the owner’s dog, you not only get to look after the dog without disrupting your routine, but you also get to stay in the owner’s house for free. This could potentially provide you with some luxurious temporary accommodation, especially if the owner’s house is beautiful.
It is necessary to consider additional costs such as transportation and contemplate possible scenarios if an animal falls ill under your care.
Similar to dog walking, you have the option to utilize online platforms like Rover to link with fellow pet enthusiasts and showcase your offerings to a wide audience promptly. Alternatively, you can stick to the traditional method of printing flyers or business cards.
Our list comprises top-notch dog sitting websites, each presenting unique benefits. It is recommended to peruse through our list to identify the ideal match for your preferences.
When dog-sitting, it is advisable to meet the dog beforehand and familiarize yourself with the house. If you enter a dog’s home for the first time without introduction from the owners, some dogs may not greet you warmly.
The payment ranges from $20 to $60 per day depending on the provided services and the geographical area.
Job #6: Pet Photographer
Do you doubt that you could pursue a career as a part- or full-time pet photographer, given your ability to recognize excellent photographic opportunities?
If you are a pet photographer, it is probable that you will capture photographs of animals to be used in family photo books, advertising for pets, calendars, and other similar purposes.
Along with individual customers, it might be worth contemplating selling your pictures on websites such as Pond5 or iStockPhoto. There are also certain pet publications that give lucrative compensation for high-quality images.
The average wage for pet photographers remains uncertain, but based on The Balance’s information, photographers may earn an average of $17.30 per hour.
BONUS: Dog Training 101: How to Completely Train Your Dog
Do you feel prepared to begin training your puppy or dog? Adequate training and socialization are essential to meet the fundamental requirements of your dog. It’s crucial to commence the training of your furry friend promptly, teaching them to sit, stay, come, go to their safety crate, and carry out their bathroom activity outdoors. Surprisingly, you can undoubtedly initiate this process even if you’re a beginner.
Dog training can initially be overwhelming, particularly if you are a first-time dog owner. The fact remains that it is no small task to train your dog. However, by breaking it down into manageable steps, the task will become less intimidating. The following details can help you begin:
- Start a Dog Obedience Program : Learn how to set a basic foundation before you begin to train your dog.
- Train Your Dog Using Games : Training your dog should be fun! Everyone knows it’s easier to learn when you are having a good time, so try implementing some games into your dog training regimen.
- Six Weeks to a Well-Trained Dog : Using this schedule as a guide, you can teach your dog the basics in about six weeks.
- Positive Reinforcement : There are many different ways to train a dog, but most dog professionals agree that the positive way is the best for both the dog and trainer.
House Training and Crate Training
House training, also known as housebreaking or potty training, is an essential aspect of raising a dog unless you plan on keeping them outdoors, which is not recommended. In order to teach your dog where to eliminate, you should focus on house training early on. Crate training is an effective tool that can aid in this process, as well as other areas of training.
- Crate Training Dogs and Puppies : Here are the basics of training your dog or puppy to accept and even enjoy the crate. Not only will it help with housebreaking, but it will also give your dog a place of his own.
- How to House Train your Dog : When it comes down to it, house training is not that complicated, but this doesn’t mean it’s easy. Consistency and diligence are key during the housebreaking process.
- Submissive/Excitement Urination in Dogs : If your dog is still having accidents in the house, it may be more than a simple housebreaking issue. Your dog might urinate out of excitement or to express submissive behavior.
Leash Training Dogs and Puppies
It is essential that all dogs are trained to walk on a leash. This is not only due to the presence of leash laws in many areas but also for the safety of your dog. It is important to familiarize your puppy or dog to the leash and teach them how to walk properly, even beside you while biking. Teaching your dog to walk on a loose leash prevents them from pulling or lunging, making the experience of walking on a leash much more pleasant for both you and your furry friend.
How To Socialize Dogs and Puppies
To socialize your puppy or adult dog implies exposing them to new people, animals, and places as a way of preparing them. Dogs that have undergone socialization are usually better received by others and less likely to exhibit problematic behavior. Furthermore, socialization can serve as a preventive measure against fears and phobias.
In summary, if you socialize your puppy or dog, they will become a more well-behaved and content canine.
Clicker Training for Dogs
Utilizing positive reinforcement, clicker training is a popular, uncomplicated and efficient technique to train dogs. While there are alternative methods of dog training, there are many individuals who find clicker training advantageous. This dog training approach facilitates the ability to effectively instruct your canine with a broad range of fundamental and complex commands and skills. Moreover, learning how to clicker train your dog is swift and facile.
Basic Commands and Fun Tricks
Every dog should be trained on basic dog commands and tricks such as come, speak, drop it, stay, and back up. These key commands provide structure to your dog’s training and can also address common dog behavior issues while ensuring your dog’s safety.
Advanced Dog Training
Upon your dog’s mastery of the fundamental tricks, you may contemplate proceeding to more intricate ones. These undertakings will not only maintain your dog’s physical and mental well-being but also enhance the bond between you and your furry friend.
It is crucial to keep in mind that training your dog is not a one-time task, but rather a continuous process. Even if you have trained your dog well, you should continue working on obedience training throughout its lifespan. Similar to individuals who learn a language in their childhood but stop using it, dogs may forget much of their training as they age. Therefore, it is vital to practice even the simplest commands consistently to refresh your dog’s memory. Furthermore, training is an excellent way to bond with your furry friend.
