WORKING WITH DOGS

     Please note; this page is intended as a guide to some of the jobs available with dogs, and to give you a place to start when looking for a career. It is aimed at those living in the UK although the general points should also help those living elsewhere. The organisations/businesses on it are for your information only and are in alphabetical order. Every attempt is made to keep details up to date, but they may alter from time to time. Inclusion on this sheet does not constitute a recommendation from PADS, and other businesses offering the same services may be found in dog magazines or careers literature. It is wise to ask to be put in touch with satisfied customers before paying for courses. A final word of advice - it is difficult to get any job with animals but don't get disillusioned - keep trying if it's what you really want.

     Are you the right person to work with animals? 

     Although these notes are written by a dog charity and therefore concentrate on careers with dogs, working with any type of animal has similar problems and benefits. An interest in animals is not enough to get you through a whole career, you need to take into account these pluses and minuses before you decide that this is the job for you.

     On the plus side you should be doing a job you love and working with other people with similar interests. Job satisfaction is often an in-built benefit when you see a dog looking smart after a grooming session, fit after an illness or happy in a new home. This sounds very appealing but there are problems too. Many careers with animals are badly paid or have limited scope for promotion without moving into administration. Animals need care twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year, so you may have to work shifts, weekends, or holidays. You may come across neglected or abused animals, or animals may die whilst in your care. You may be faced with putting loving, healthy animals to sleep because there is no home for them or their owners no longer want them - you can’t take them all home!

     In addition to the emotional ups and downs inevitably connected with working with animals you have to deal with the practical side. You have to be determined because vacancies are limited and competition for them is fierce. Most animals come attached to owners and you must have the "bed-side manner" to deal with them too. You may have to give them bad news about their pet’s health. You will certainly have to inspire them with confidence in yourself and the service you are offering. If you are self employed you will have to deal with accounts, tax returns, suppliers, maybe employees. In most jobs with animals it helps to be able to drive.

     If you have taken all this into account and still want to go ahead, read on!

     Qualifications; 

     Experience is often a plus, so try to get it - you may be able to do part time or voluntary work at a vets, rescue kennels or grooming parlour. Some jobs, e.g. Vet have specialised training courses at college or university, which you may need GCSEs and/or A Levels to attend. Otherwise, some City and Guilds NVQs are relevant for working with dogs; "Animal Training", "Animal Welfare and Management", and "Pet Care and Supply" are examples. You normally have to be at least 16 years old to take these. Your careers advisor will be able to give you an up to date list, or contact

          City and Guilds, 1 Giltspur Street, London EC1A 9DD

     Dog care services; 

     "Pet sitting" services are offered by firms such as those below. Workers move into customers' homes to care for their pets while they are away. Amount of work depends on time of year and area, but is rather spasmodic. They deal with all kinds of animals, not just dogs, though you can express a preference.

          · Animal Aunts, Smugglers, Green Lane, Rogate, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 5DA Tel: 01730 821529 You have to be over 21 and have a lot of experience of caring for animals. No formal qualifications though many people have them, e.g. vet’s nurse, kennel maid, dog training.

          · Homesitters Ltd, Buckland Wharf, Buckland, Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 5LQ 01296-630730 Employs those aged 40 to 68, experience needed as above.

     Dog Grooming; 

     Training can be done "on the job" working in a shop, through private courses or by City and Guilds.

          For "apprentice" type employment contact local dog parlours or kennels which offer a grooming service.

          For City and Guilds ring their Customer Service on 0171 294 2800/01/02

     Alternatively the following offer private courses;

          Classic School of Grooming, 51 Nottingham Rd, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 5NN 01602-445048

          College of Groomatology, 134 Wood St, Kettering, Northants NN16 9SA 01536-522961

          Paws-awhile, Mrs J Stevens-Smith, 3B Ashley Rd, Southport, Merseyside PR9 0RB 01704-544519

          Details of other trainers/courses available from Pet Trades and Industry Association, Bedford Business Centre, Mile Rd, Bedford MK42 9TW 01234-273933, or through dog magazines.

     Dog Training; 

     Police, Customs and the Armed forces have dog handling sections and this may be of interest to you, although you can rarely go into these jobs immediately on joining. Contact your local Police Force or Forces Recruitment Office to find out more. Private security firms, which use dog handlers generally, require prospective employees to have this sort of experience. Service dog charities such as Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs and Disabled Helper dogs may also employ a small number of dog trainers. Contact;

          · Assistance Dogs for Disabled People, 23 Slipper Road, Emsworth, Hants PO10 8BS Tel 01243 375723

          · Dogs for the Disabled, Frances Hay House, Banbury Rd, Bishop's Tachbrook, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV33 9UJ

          · Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Hillfields, Burghfield, Reading, Berks RG7 1EF

          · Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, London Rd, Lewknor, Oxon OX9 5RY Tel 01844 353099

     There are no formal qualifications required to advertise yourself as a dog trainer if you wish to do so on a self employed basis, though most work comes by word of mouth so it's important to know what you are doing.
     You also need the ability to deal with people who are often under stress and some knowledge of how to run  a business. You could start by helping out at a reputable dog-training club on a voluntary basis and the groups listed below all offer training courses. You will have to pay to attend and most assume you already have some experience of training dogs. Approach them direct for details of courses, or of local members who run their own courses, or watch the dog press for adverts. When you begin work we recommend membership of a professional group and suitable insurance to protect both you and your clients. Try to attend courses run by as many groups as possible and join the one which seems to reflect your views and methods the best.

          Association of Pet Behaviour Consultants, The Hon Secretary, 257 Royal College St, London NW1.

          Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Greengarth, Maddox Lane, Bookham, Surrey KT23 3HT Tel 01372 457854.

          British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers, Bowstone Gate, Nr Disley, Stockport, Cheshire SK12 2AN 01663-762772

          Federation of Dog Trainers and Canine Behaviourists President, Ann DeRizzio, 15 Lightburne Ave, Lytham St Annes, Lancs FY8 1JE Tel 01253-722923.

          Institute of Military, Police and Civilian Dog Trainers, The Dog Training Place, 204 Ways Green, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 4AN Tel 01606-592236.

          United Kingdom Registry of Canine Behaviourists, Chairman, Mr J Mullen, Dunsmore Kennels, London Rd, Stretton on Dunsmore, Nr Rugby, Warwickshire CV23 9HX Tel 01203-542566.

     Alternatively, the University of Southampton runs a modular course ending in a Diploma/MSc in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling, for which you take eight units over four years or less. You will have to pay a fee to take this course, which is held during University holidays. The minimum age is 18 and as it is a postgraduate course you will have to have a relevant degree or other approved qualification before undertaking the course. Details from

          Dr A McBride, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ Tel 01703-593469.

     Breeding/showing; 

     For most practical purposes, this is a hobby rather than a job. It is extremely rare to make a living from  breeding dogs unless you combine it with another business such as kennels or a dog parlour. There are a few professional handlers for show dogs whose owners cannot go into a ring themselves, but you would need plenty of experience with many breeds of dog at hobby level to do this.

     Dog Warden; 

     You must be at least eighteen, physically fit and hold a current driving licence. Qualifications vary between Local Authorities but most require experience with dogs and up to 5 GCSEs.
     The National Association of Dog Wardens issues NVQs to Level 3 if you train under their direction. Contact them at

          National Dog Warden Association, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Gloucester Rd, Tewkesbury, Glos GL5 5TT Tel 01684-295010.

     Further information; 

     Examples of jobs we have not covered here would be kennel staff, pet shop, vet's nurse, vet, zoos, and RSPCA inspector. Most of them entail work with other animals as well as dogs, and the qualifications required to enter them vary considerably. You should be able to find out details of these, and probably others we haven't thought of, from your local careers advice service, library or job centre.

     If your ideas take you towards self employment you can get advice from the Pet Trade and Industry Association (above).