Need a doggy career!!

[snowpaws]

Hi everyone, I just joined this site today and it's great! Everyones so friendly!!! :D
Anyway, I'm really having a crisis at the mo because I have left college after getting really bored of studying Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Art (wouldn't you!) I really really want to work with animals, especially dogs and I'm finding it really difficult, I guess because I'm so young (17).
I have applied to quite a few dog kennels and other dog related jobs here in theUK, but with no luck so far... :cry:
I would really love a live in job where I could take my little boy (6 month old Sibe) 'cos I NEED to get away from my parents who do not have the same passion for dogs as I do!
:roll: I would be really grateful if anyone knows anywhere that I might be able to get a job!!! I do have quite alot of experience with dogs, I have walked a yorkie for nearly 4 years for an elderly lady, I do quite a bit of dog sitting, and I am staff at a dog training club. I worked my way up to this by first attending the classes for about 6 months and watching as I didn't have a dog back then. Then I finally got my puppy in December and took him to classes there straight away. As I had already learnt alot by watching countless classes, I managed to train him quite easily, and he passed his KCGC puppy and bronze awards at 4 months old!
As this is not a paid job, and only once a week I do need something else as I in the long run I want another dog..(and to learn to drive as I have no money yet!)
My dream would be to go abroad and work with dogs.So if there is anyone in America (especially Alaska!)or New Zealand :D !! who wants to adopt me and let me look after their dogs I wouldn't say no!!!!!!!
:D Please if anyone has an advice or info to help me I would be really grateful..please help me!!
Thank you!!!!
Snowpaws xxx

[Aroura]

Hello and welcome! :D
Sounds like you've got the dreams but havn't had the chance to follow them.... well a few suggestions. Apply for jobs at maybe some dog groomers, or find out what you need to do to start your own dog training club. Help out at the local pound once a week, do some dog walking.... there's pretty much endless opportunitys for working with dogs, its just a matter of getting started, as they say, it's not what you know, its who you know.
And about boarding, ever thought of australia? :wink:
By the way, you've gotta be crazy... biology and chemistry are enough for me, but physics also!!!! :o No wonder it got too much for you!!!! :lol:
Whatever you do, good luck cuz it sounds like you've got a good heart and deserve nothing but the best. :D

[Malamum]

Aroura had lots of good suggestions and my advice to you is follow your dreams and do what you want to do while you are still young.

I would love to work with dog/animals but have mortgage to pay so I am pretty much stuck with my boring office job. :-?

[snowpaws]

Aroura,
Austrailia sounds great! Why you offering?! :D :wink:
It would just be getting over there. I guess I'd have to do something boring for a while to get a bit of money behind me, before I think about traveling. But, anything to get away from here!
Thanx for your advice and encouragement :D
Snowpaws xx

[Guest Anonymous]

You could take a handling course, that way you could handle dogs for Dog shows and travel all over...you sound like you are good with dogs (especially since you did so well with your pup) you could also try agility, you could meet alot of people that way...
the suggestion of working in a Dog Grooming facility is great also. I started out working as a receptionist at a Vet clinic...which I have now branched out and work at a Grooming facility and boarding facility as well. I also have Newf's which I am working on a CD at the moment...attending obedience you are going to make some contacts and I have met ALOT of dog people at the Dog shows (of course) . I also found working at the vet clinic leads you into all sorts of different opportunities such as a Vet Tech. , doggy sitting, etc...
Good luck to you

[Jerakeen]

Contact the College of Animal welfaer. They do many dog courses and are based at Wood Green Animal Shelter in Cambridgshire. The course are from a day course to longer depending what you want to do. The more of these types of courses you have under you belt the better your chances are of beating others as many many people want to do what you do. Get the dog papers, Dog World and Our Dogs as live in positions are advertised in there. Or you can do what i did and set up your own business!
Good Luck
Bec

[jen]

hi :D
welcome :laola:
everyone`s given you some really good suggestions and idea`s, so i hope you manage to find something soon. whatever happens keep following your dream as you definatley have the right heart for working with animals. :Fade-color
i wish you all the good luck in the world :kciuki:
:Dog_run:

[Aroura]

Well snowpaws, mum moved out a few days ago and we are actually looking for a boarder now, so it could be something to think about :wink:
Thats the problem with getting a good job, nearly everyone has to start off with something they'd really prefer not to do and stick at it until they have enough experience to do what they want to do. But as I said before, good luck, you're still young and have plenty of time to work your way up to where you want to be 8)

[snowpaws]

Hey Aroura, You're my new best friend.. :D hehe
What part of Austrailia do you live in?? What about the big scary spiders? :-?
Thanks for all the ideas everyone, I do want to do a course like, handling or behaviour part time while I work. I just have to find something that isn't too boring in the mean time! :sleeping:
Where can I get the doggy papers from? I have never seen them before!

[Aroura]

Excellent!!! You can never have too many best friends!!! :D

I live in a town about half way between sydney and brisbane in NSW with a population of about 25, 000 people. Its a university town so most of the population is fairly young, which is good!

Don't worry, there are no funnel webs where I live, you do get the occasional red back though :o

[snowpaws]

yike!

[snowpaws]

:cry: :cry: :cry:
ohhhh, just got into another arguement with my mother about not having a job.
I try!!!!! But I really can't stick at something boring...
The thing is I really want to get another dog as a friend for Kodi, I know THEY would never pay for it, but I found a great dane on the internet, that someone needs a home for. It's a gorgeous blue boy, really well behaved, they can't have it because they have to move...but the moment I mentioned it they went off the wall. I mean if I lived on my own I wouldn't think twice about getting another dog (or two...or three).
AAARRGGGHH! It's so frustrating not being able to move out, I really want a live in job somewhere where I can take my puppie(s!) and work with doggys too.
I can't afford to go anywhere at the mo though, I have no money and I'm 17!!!
Does anyone know how you can get into show dog handling ?
If anyone in the UK is looking for a junior handler! PLEASE let me know!
Hey, Jerakeen, you say you have your own business, what is it? Do you need anyone to work for you!!??
Sorry everyone, just had to have a moan at people who understand!!!!!
:Dog_run:

[mouseatthebusstop]

JOIN RING-CRAFT CLASSES- YOUR VET MAY KNOW WHERE YOUR NEAREST ONE IS. YOU WILL LEARN BASIC HANDLEING :) OR A SHOW BREEDER IN YOUR AREA

[Aroura]

Just a word of advice, I know you probably didn't mean it literally when you said "you wouldn't think twice about getting another dog... or two or three" but really think about if you even want just one other dog, let alone two or three. You see, I didn't really think twice when I got Lily, I NEVER regret it, but it is really tough sometimes. Every week theres the food bills, then theres worming and vet bills, training bills, birthday presents, just every day "i love you" presents... it all adds up, especially if you're thinking about something like a great dane!!! Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying getting another dog is a BAD idea, but it can be very tough. Finding a place to rent with one dog is hard enough, but two is twice as hard.
Have you ever thought of rescue work? Then you get to look after lots of different dogs and see them go from bad homes to good homes... stuff like that can also lead to jobs :wink:

[snowpaws]

Yeah, I know, I mean when I move out and have a job, I want to get another one. It's just that Kodi is so much better behaved with other dogs, and he gets lonely. Like when I come back from my sisters after staying over and he's been with the other dogs he gets really bored and barks and howls at me.
He always barks when he wants to go for a walk, or when he wants his Dinner, whereas when he's with doggy company he is very well behaved. It's also easier for me to call him back on a walk if he's with a dog, cos he won't run away, and he wares himself out more, because he is playing whilst he is on the walk.
As soon as I have enough money to be able to have two dogs, (and have moved out) I will get another. It isn't particularly a great dane, but I had just found someone on the internet who desperately needed a home for his dog, because they were moving. And they said he loved all dogs, cats and people! I was just so annoyed that I couldn't say yes to him, because my parents said No... GRRRR