Is it your dream to learn how to become a dog trainer? If so, you may have big dreams of also running a doggie day care. While this is a fantastic goal, it is essential to understand just how much work goes into establishing a doggie day care business. Could it be the right choice for you?
These traits can help you run a successful daycare for pets. 1. Desire to Help Do you find yourself volunteering a lot? Do you have compassion for homeless animals, often fostering them yourself? If this sounds like you, you may have the compassion necessary to run a professional but caring doggie day care center. 2. Business-Minded Every certified professional dog trainer needs to be focused and determined. Not only must you focus on scheduling and handling finances, but you must also scout locations, market your business, and deal with professional communication. 3. Understands Pet Owners Who best understands the needs and wants of a pet owner? Generally, a fellow pet owner. In order to run a successful animal-based business, you must first understand what these animals need. 4. Flexibility One of the first skills you must develop to become a dog trainer is learning how to be flexible. Your schedule will be determined by your clients, as many people will want to drop off their pets during holidays. 5. Patience Dogs do not always act the way we want them to, and just like people, they often behave unpredictably. It is essential that you always approach animals with compassion. 6. Love for Dogs Obviously, running a doggie day care requires that you genuinely want to be around dogs. You must have a desire to train them and get to know them, but you must also develop a love and appreciation for their owners. Whether you are a certified professional dog trainer or you simply adore dogs, running a doggie day care is a viable option. Do you possess the traits on this list? If so, it may be time to pursue a new dog training career and check out some classes for dog trainers.
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Thinking about applying for a job at your local animal shelter? You may be surprised at how many options are available for you to consider. There is much more to running this type of facility than cleaning up after animals and feeding them. Here are some of the jobs that are necessary to running an animal shelter:
1. Overnight Technician While a quality dog trainers school will help you learn about animal behaviors, you may put your skills to use as an overnight technician at a rescue center. You may oversee the health of incoming animals or handle overnight emergencies. You may even handle the nursery, where newborn animals are taken to recover and build strength. 2. Director of Animal Services As a director at the clinic, you will most likely handle business administration and supervisory tasks. You may find yourself helping to enforce laws regarding animals and even becoming part of animal cruelty investigations. 3. Vet Tech Learning dog training skills will help you operate as an effective vet tech. This is a position that requires education and passion in animal health. You will be performing tasks ranging from administering medication to assisting with animal surgeries that may save lives. 4. Animal Trainer A well-trained pet makes them a more appealing adoptable candidate. Many animal shelters do not realize how beneficial behavior consultants and trainers can be in helping animals appear to be more desirable choices to those coming in to adopt. 5. Animal Control Officer If you are looking for a more physical job after finishing dog trainer classes, you may become dedicated to work as an animal control officer. This job may require you to pick up animals that have been reported as on the loose and bring them in to the shelter. If you are interested in dog training in Phoenix, AZ, you will find that there are plenty of ways to put your new knowledge to use. Your learned skills with animals will help you develop into any of these positions. You may not realize it, but the relationship you build with your dog could have an influence on the way you interact with the people around you.
Our love affair with dogs goes back thousands of years. Back 16,000 years or more, before the dawn of time when a dog was not just a pet, but an important necessity for our survival. For all that time, dogs have been our hunting buddies, our assistant, protectors, and companions. Through the ages, other animals have become integral parts of our lives, but none more than the dog. Dogs have evolved from their ancestor the wolf, into many breeds; but it wasn't until the 19th century that those breeds started becoming cataloged and formalized by Kennel Clubs. The breeds evolved as a result of the duties they could perform that could benefit man. Good dames and sires were paired to accentuate certain traits which led to the emergence of the various breeds. One specific Kennel Club group, the sporting dogs include Hounds, Beagles, Pointers, Retrievers, Setters, and Spaniels who evolved from the need to have a dog that would aid in hunting. Many medieval paintings, and even paintings in recent times show elite owners with their many hunting dogs. Foxhounds in particular, have a record in the US that dates back to 1650, when Robert Brooke brought them to America with his family. The origin of the hound can be traced to many ancient documents and wall paintings from Egypt and Assyria. Working dogs include the Shepherds, Sheepdogs, Collies and other types of herding breeds. They are the dogs that excel at performing duties and tasks. In ancient times, they protected and herded livestock. Now, there are many variations of working dogs including police and rescue dogs, companion dogs and assistance dogs. Since ancient times, other attributes of dogs have been favored as well, like size; thus Toy Breeds have evolved as another Kennel Club group. No matter the dog breed, they have all crossed time and now likely has become your special companion - which means, your pet has become an important part of your life. Why not take some time to learn more about your special K9 friend? Work with a professional dog trainer in Phoenix, AZ or at a school for dog trainers to learn more about dogs. You love dogs. They are your world. But do you want a career working with dogs? You might want to investigate the variations and find the dog career that works best for you. From vet tech, to shelter worker, dog trainer, dog walker or dog sitter. Part time. Full time. How do you choose the best career that meets your personality? It isn't just about loving dogs. How much money do you want to make? Do you like all kinds of dogs with all kinds of temperaments, or do you want to just deal with small adorable pets? Do you want to work with as many dogs as possible, or develop a relationship with just a few dogs? Here are some examples of how people use their love of dogs: In vet offices: Vet Techs work with veterinarians. As a vet tech some of your responsibilities might be, caring for dogs and other animals, taking vital signs, administering medications that are prescribed by the doctor, assisting in dental cleaning and interacting with the public. The average pay is $15/hour. At animal shelters and non-profits: Shelter work can be paid or unpaid. The work can be similar to a Vet Tech. The variety of animals who desperately need homes can be fulfilling and rewarding. Helping socialize, exercise & teach basic obedience skills are invaluable to making the dogs more adoptable. Becoming a certified dog trainer: Dog trainers make on average, $15 an hour, but some can make as much as $100 an hour if they are certified and own their own business. They work with animals to develop desired behaviors in a positive manner. They conduct training programs to develop desired dog behaviors for obedience, competition, entertainment, or security. As professional dog sitter/walker: Dog walkers and dog sitters do many similar tasks and generally start at around $11 an hour. They take the dogs for walks and make sure they are fed and cared for. This usually supports a family or individuals who have busy schedules or are unable to keep their dog exercised. Some advanced dog walkers can handle many dogs, thus making more money. Regardless of the choices you make, you should explore the possibilities. You love dogs, so it’s time to start doing what you love! Many different types of schools for Dog Trainers around the country exist in order to help you learn more about these careers and which one is right for you. If you are in the Phoenix area, contact us about our special dog trainer classes and academy. We can help you improve your dog handling, behavior and dog trainer skills - and choose the best career for you! You see those cards all the time on restaurant bulletin boards, and suddenly that 9 to 5 job seems boring, or you have been downsized and think that this would be a good business to start. Dog Walkers.... You have heard that they can make nice income and live a great life. And what do you really need to start? A leash, a dog and a sidewalk? Any five year old could do this, right? So why can't you? Unfortunately, it’s not that easy! To create a PROFITABLE dog walking business you need a lot more resources and knowledge. However, a good dog trainer school can help give you a one up towards becoming a certified dog walker. Here are some of the tips that we would like to share with you: Marketing is Key Dog walking can be part time or full time, it’s up to you. It depends on how much work you want, how well you market yourself, and how skilled you are at obtaining clients. Start walking one or two dogs in the same family Yes, those pictures of dog walkers with a bunch of leashes walking multiple dogs looks cool and lucrative, but you must build up to being able to walk and handle multiple dogs from various families. Start small and start with dogs and dog owners you know. Shop Your Competition Be aware of what other dog walkers are charging. Are they certified dog trainers, or just people who think that can walk a few dogs? Determine how much you are willing to work, how much you want to be paid, and how much you want to make in year. These questions will help you set goals to work towards. Be Fit and Flexible Remember, walking dogs takes energy and involves outside elements. Do you already walk a great deal or are you a couch potato? Take into consideration the weather in your area. If you live in the Phoenix area remember you will be walking dogs during the heat of the summer and will have to change your walking schedule accordingly to accommodate the dog’s paws and body temperature levels. Also consider if this is something you'd enjoy doing on a consistent basis. Be Business Savvy Remember it's a business! Accounting, marketing, along with a functional ability to read and write a contract are all necessities for dog walking businesses. You should also be aware of local laws and practices. Are there areas where you aren’t allowed to walk dogs - such as off limit parks, river-walks or certain neighborhoods or subdivisions? Walking dogs for a living can be a fun and lucrative business. It would be in your best interest to spend some time in advance figuring out the nuts and bolts before you move too fast. If you need help, please look into our professional dog trainer school before you start! Pet owners in Phoenix have plenty of advantages that other pet owners in other states do not have. For starters, the Arizona and Phoenix metro has plenty of outdoor space for dogs. However, on the other hand, there is also a lot to consider if you own a dog in Phoenix....Could your issues with your pet be caused by one of these serious issues plaguing Phoenix dog owners?
1. Hot Pavement When it reaches temperatures upwards of 110 degrees in summer, taking your dog for a walk in Phoenix can feel impossible. In fact, you may skip the walks altogether. This means that your dog has plenty of pent up energy and not much to do about it. Incorporating more playtime indoors at a Phoenix dog training facility may be the key to eliminating some of this energy and ensuring that your pet has everything he needs to be happy and healthy. 2. Exhaustion & Dehydration Here's another problem caused by Arizona's intense heat. If you put your dogs outside during the day (or even at night), they are sure to be exhausted and dehydrated by the heat. In fact, the intense heat can actually kill your pet if you do not take steps to prevent it. One of the best solutions is to have a part of the house that is accessible from the outside so that dogs can enter a cooler room at any point in the day for water and food. 3. Predators Depending on where you live in Phoenix, your pet may come face to face with some dangerous animals, including rattlesnakes, scorpions, javelinas, and coyotes. Unfortunately, predators typically lead to barking and howling. While commonly considered a behavioral problem, barking is often a reaction to fear. Anxiety commonly leads to this type of behavior. It may be time to assess your property to determine whether or not predators could make their way into your yard, causing your animal to become distressed. It may not be your pet's fault at all. 4. Indoor Urination One of the most common reasons for elimination inside is the heat outside. As a pet owner, you are probably very frustrated. Unfortunately, this is more than just a nuisance. It's also damaging to your home and property. If there are no health problems, it could be that your pet has no comfortable place to eliminate outside. Learning dog training skills by taking classes can be incredibly helpful in either preventing these issues or coping with their effects. In fact, you may find that your dog responds much better to the environment with proper behavior and obedience training. Unfortunately, every dog barks at some point -- even the most well-behaved ones. Some dogs bark more than others due to personality and training, and others do it seldomly. Just like people, dogs have needs. You may not even want your dog to stop barking entirely, however, as you may want them to ward off intruders. In that case, these tips will help reduce barking as well.
1. Identify why your dog is barking. It could be that your dog always barks when somebody knocks at the door, and he thinks he is alerting you to danger. Some dogs bark when they are trying to play or are afraid of something. Of course, sometimes barking just appears to be a fun past-time. In reality, it is most often based in insecurity. 2.Don't yell at your dog when he barks. He might think that you are joining in, or perhaps he thinks that you are scared as well. The key is to be confident and calm when your dog starts making a ruckus. 3. Build confidence in your dog. Your pet thinks he needs to communicate with you by barking. Show him that this is not the case -- you are the one in charge. Your dog needs to know that he does not need to do anything to help you. You can practice this by holding him on a leash as you answer the door, showing him that this is okay. You can do this by speaking calmly and soothingly to your pet. 4. Teach your dog to do something besides bark. Many pet owners find success in teaching their dog to bring an item over when the doorbell rings rather than to bark. You can point to a favorite toy or other item and ask the dog to bring it to you. 5. Attend Dog Training Classes. Many times, professional dog trainers can provide some insight into your dog's behaviors. You might even be surprised at some of the things you learn about your dog when you see the interaction with the trainer. The key to training your dog not to bark is consistency. Communicate with your dog verbally, and take baby steps. It could very well take weeks or months for your dog to warm up to the idea that the person at the door is not a predator. So long as you are consistent, you will see good results. Your dog wants to help you, not drive you crazy by barking. Training dogs is not a type of career that people dream of doing, and yet it offers a number of excellent benefits. Not sure where to start when it comes to becoming a professional dog trainer on the side of your normal career?
No matter where you start, you will find that this path is more rewarding and exciting than you initially thought. 1. You will be making a difference in the lives of both dogs and people.Whether you train personal pets or you are helping to prepare dogs to work with individuals who may be disabled, you are helping somebody in need. Dogs benefit from having tasks to fill their time, and many do not have to be rehomed because of the training. Additionally, many dogs are choked with chains or are sprayed with water for bad behavior. Teaching them good behavior can be a good starting point- and attending schools for dog trainers at an accredited academy will help. 2. It’s a very social job.You may not be working alongside co-workers all day, but you will still be interacting with people throughout the day. You aren’t just working with dogs. In fact, you could argue that you are actually working more with their owners. If your day job isn’t cutting it for you in this realm, training dogs could be much more beneficial. 3. Training dogs on a full-time basis can be difficult.A part-time schedule may consist of up to 20 classes regularly, and even that feels like a lot. This is why working as a dog trainer on a part-time basis is so desirable. Still, there is no formal training and you get to learn on your own if you wish to do so. 4. You are self-employed.Most dog trainers are self-employed. This means that you get to pick and choose who you work with and for. You can also set your own hours for work, giving you the desired flexibility. Of course, this does not mean you never have to improve your skills. It is actually important to continue studying in order to become a better trainer 5. It’s fun!If you are passionate about animals, you can’t do much better than training dogs. If your day job doesn’t fulfill this need for you, turning to training as a second career can. Your love for animals will actually help you enjoy pursuing this passion, and you will also see the results of your efforts. This job also allows you to stretch some muscles, especially if you spend most of the day at work sitting down. |
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December 2016
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