Having A Career Working With Poodles

As a pet owner, have you ever thought about Having A Career Working With Poodles?   There are a lot of jobs you can do and still work with and be around dogs.  If nothing else, you can start by getting a job in a pet store.  From there you can begin to look around at other opportunities as well.

Some jobs occupations demand years of study and training and some do not.  For example, getting a job as a veterinary technician requires you to go to have a 4-year bachelor's degree and a 2-year associates degree.

Training Poodles and dogs for a living can be a rewarding career

Working With Poodles As A Living

Here's what the Bureau of Labor Statistics had to say about the requirements of becoming a Veterinary Technician.

What Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Do

Veterinary technologists and technicians perform medical tests under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian to treat or to help veterinarians diagnose the illnesses and injuries of animals.

Work Environment

Veterinary technologists and technicians work in private clinics, laboratories, and animal hospitals. Their jobs may be physically or emotionally demanding. Many technologists and technicians may have to work evenings, weekends, or holidays.

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist or Technician

Veterinary technologists and technicians must complete a postsecondary program in veterinary technology. Technologists need a 4-year bachelor’s degree, and technicians need a 2-year associate's degree. Typically, both technologists and technicians must take a credentialing exam and must become registered, licensed, or certified, depending on the state.

Pay

The median annual wage of veterinary technologists and technicians was $29,710 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is expected to grow 52 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. Job opportunities are expected to be excellent, particularly in rural areas.

Above from United States Department of Labor

If this is too ambitious a career choice for you to undertake, then consider a career as a dog walker.  Dog walking businesses have been springing up all over the place and there is a real need for a qualified dog walker who can walk dogs in your neighborhood for people who are out all day and can't care for their pets at home.
Keep in mind, of course, that this is not a hobby and it is a real profession.  You need to be a professional.  You will either run it yourself or hire employees, who also need to be qualified to handle the tasks associated with dog walking and dog care.  You will need to be insured and bonded and run it just like any other business.

Other Options Of Having A Career Working With Poodles

What about any special passions or skills you may have?  Do you love to take pictures or are you a good photographer?  How about a career as a Pet Photographer?  There are those who specialize in pet photography who go out and do shoots of people's animals and family members at events and at their homes, as well as those who do shoots for websites and trade magazines.  If you are really good at timing the shot and capturing the personality of the animals you are working with, then you will probably be successful.  Practice on your own poodle or pet and make some homemade holiday cards and sell them to people you know.
Another idea is to make your own home cooked pet treats.  Look around and you will probably see that there are a lot of pet bakeries that have opened up their doors for business.  I know of several and there are dozens of such businesses in Manhattan, in New York.  Are you a good cook and like to bake homemade treats?  Why not come up with some good recipes for dogs and have a little pet treat business?   You can distribute them to your local pet stores or grooming salons.  There is always a need for healthy snacks for poodles and people like to buy quality treats.

Working With Poodles As A Trainer

Becoming a dog trainer or a trainer who specializes in Poodles could be a great career.  I know that my dog trainer is as busy as she can be, dealing with dozens of animals each and every week.  She goes out to the home and sometimes they come to her for classes in groups.  My wife and I took our miniature poodle to a group class many times, when she was a puppy.  You can make some good money as a trainer. 

Of course, you will need to study and go through training yourself to acquire all of the skills necessary.  You will also likely need a dog trainer certification, although it may not be required, depending on where you live.  Most dog trainers are basically self-taught and since it is a "service-based" vocation, you will be dealing with people as much as you will be dealing with dogs.
Doggy Day Care is another way to make a living and still be around the animals you love.  You can begin by working at a local doggy day care facility in your area and if you really are ambitious, you can decide to eventually start your own doggy day care business or start one with a business partner.

Becoming a Pet Sitter is another way to break into the dog business.  Look into what the requirements are about bonding and insurance and find out what you need to do.  I know of a former vet tech, who is doing extremely well with his dog and cat sitting business.  He's so busy, it has become a full time deal with many clients and repeat clients coming to him for his pet sitting services.

As you can see, Having A Career Working With Poodles and other animals can be the opening for a rewarding and lucrative future.  And you will be doing what you love, which is being around animals.