Shirley Said:

Possible career future with dogs [please read]?

We Answered:

Well you are certainly going about getting the career you think you would like in the right way.

At this stage I would add, keep your options open, think laterally and also think 'humans', so things like coaching and mentoring, you need to get facts and training across to people in a way they will understand............and also that they 'buy into', so it belongs to them, otherwise the real training never gets done ( the practise at home).
When you are training dogs ( or other animals) there is always an owner/carer and if they don't own what is taught it won't happen.

Read books by people who know what they are talking about, such as "On Talking Terms With Dogs" by Turid Rugaas, look at the reports about all the long term, up to date research that is being done....and check the references, knowledge and backgrounds of who has researched these, for EG. Bristol University in the UK does lots of good quality research which can help you get a 'feel' for what you want to do, Science Daily (online) often report on up to date research around animal behaviour from around the world and myths that people have believed for centuries and are still believing such as 'Dominant' behaviour in dogs, a human trait not a dogs.

I have two students here working, doing their placement as part of their 3 year degree, they learn about and take part in dog training, behavioural work, animal acupressure, ttouch, homoeopathic treatments, Bach Flower, body language ( human and animal) & micro body language, performance coaching, working with parents and children and dogs, H&S, as well as agility, traditional obedience, behavioural obedience, groundwork, flyball, k9dance, showing & schedules, grooming, ringcraft and all the rule and regulations that go with them all, learning styles, observation skills and be involved with as well as work independantly on research I am doing on dog 'senses', 'comparable behaviour', 'brain waves'(thinking patterns) and lots of other things.

And forget what people 'think' it is not 'fact' just because they think it. I was a teacher and behaviourist by profession of human animals...........and many would say animals as I worked with prisoners and young offenders, speicalising in Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, great profession and I loved it and I was paid very well, have always worked with animals, the research I did/do is animal based and I do CPD, I don't 'buy' into bought titles so I can add letters after my name by paying for memberships of 'professional dog training organisations' they are naff and just to 'con' the public into thinking 'trainers' are something special it is what you do, how you change things and the numerous referals from satisfied customers, vets and rescue centres that count......Oh my dogs have titles,(as have many of the people/dogs I train from 'pet dog' to Champions and International Champions), Breed, Obedience,Agility, Flyball, qualified for Olympia, Cruft's numerous times including 2010. I have a centre fully equipped, indoor, outdoor with show facilities, two houses, two cars, both new ( one real one for the dogs and one sports car), no debts, all bought and paid for in the last 10 years with money used only from this.....so yes it can pay.

Keith Said:

Could sentencing people convicted of dogfighting to work in prisons that train service dogs reform them?

We Answered:

They already have quite a few programs like that, although not necessarily for perpetrators of violence against dogs (there aren't enough of them in prison). I believe the effects of the program on prisoners are a cause for hope.

Seriously, if Michael Vick is going to enter that sort of program, he has to enter it having proved himself deserving of what is a relatively rare placement. (Some very humorous answers to a serious issue - sorry I couldn't think of anything witty to say).

Tina Said:

Is it time for a social uprising?

We Answered:

oh please don't do that, don't free us in united states of america the land of the free.
that is a bad idea, please take all of our money....and charge us interest.
oh hey, lets give our money to the market and they can charge us even more interest.
let the fat money hungry so n so's build the system up from the ground up....or do they need a a FREE HAND OUT using my money again.

Leo Said:

careers working with dogs?

We Answered:

This is the closest I could find on wages for animal trainers:

http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summar…

It looks like you can learn how to be a groomer at home with a course that you can do online. I did find something that might interest you:

http://www.nashacademy.com/index.html

Billy Said:

Got an email from a lady wanting a Papillon pup...seems kind of odd?

We Answered:

She sounds great to me.

If all her animals have lived to a good age, chances are she takes good care of them. Many people opt for a smaller dog when they get older (especially if they want to travel.)

The fact that she is already thinking about spaying is a good indication that she is not some fly by night breeder.

Assuming the information is correct, I would happily let her have one of my foster dogs.

(She could have heard about you or your website somewhere....it wouldnt have to be through a search engine.)