Professional?

[Pembroke_Corgi]

Actually, I don't think you even need a bachelor's degree (although it's preferred) to be a vet. At Iowa State (one of the countries top programs) you just need pre-vet classes (I think it's about 1 1/2 -2 years of general classes like anatomy, biology, chemistry, etc.) before you enter the veterinary medicine program, which is another 2 years or so and you can be a DVM. I'm not sure about becoming a trainer, but I'm sure there are classes for that. I've never seen classes for becoming a dog trainer at a university before, but maybe there might be something with that at community college. I know you can become a groomer through a lot of them!
I think those would be great careers! I graduated from college last year and I somewhat regret not going into a career with animals. I'm applying to graduate school now, but if I don't get in, I decided I'm going back to become a vet (I just need to get over blood). Good luck whatever you decided to do.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

Im guessing no one knows....

I think there is a member on PT who is becoming or is a trainer, her screen name is veegan. You could try asking her.

[Alysser]

Thanks alot! I'll look it. I hope you get to be a vet!

[.sarah]

I'm guessing you want to make money off of it? For that, I have no idea, but I have a friend who is a pro. trainer so I can ask next time I see her because I'm interested now! I only know how to become one for volunteer, which is what I'm going to do. I'm just joining a dog training club and I will take a few classes on training and will be teaching once I turn 18 (I *think* I have to be 18, but I'm not sure actually).

[Alysser]

Well, not only that but I want to work with dogs. I can't think of any other job I would want. Its perfect. Being a vet isn't for me. It's when you have to put a pet down. So I wouldn't be able to handle it probably.

[lv4dogs]

There are dog training schools, and if it's something that you truly want to do I would start now.
At least start off as an assistant or intern or the like. At least ask a reputable trainer in your area if you can sit in on classes because you would like all the experience you can get because that is what you want to do.

In order to really make a good $ out of it you need to be reputable, have refferals so like I said start AS EARLY as possible, start building up your knowledge & clientell now.
It is also a good idea to do the same with area breeders & local shows (even if it isn't obedience), a good trainer that makes money knows everything about every breed, all obedience commands (hand & vocal), knows all aspects of obedience showing, how breeders work & so on.

Good luck!

[Miss Z]

I don't really know, but is there anywhere that you can gain experience in dog shows etc? I don't know if there are any dog shows around where you live, but here there are plenty of county shows and stuff in the summer, occasionally i've helped at horse shows as a groom (for a friend), and making sure that people know when it's time to enter the collecting ring. I saw people doing that kind of thing for the dog shows too. Just ask on the day, they're usually glad of help. The experience with dogs will be useful when you actually become a dog trainer but i'm no expert in this field, so i could have it all wrong

[k9krazee]

My Aunt is an agility trainer. She made her own "club" and all the classes she offers are at her own house, with her own equipment. She actually makes quite a bit of money, she doesn't have a "real" job and does the agility thing during the week, agility shows on the weekends and also grooms dogs (out of her home) on the side. Sounds like a perfect life to me, lol.

[LKPike]

Being a vet isn't for me. It's when you have to put a pet down. So I wouldn't be able to handle it probably.

I had the same hang up but I've wanted to be a vet since I was literally 4 years old, every single year, every single time somebody asked me. Up till I was 16 and took more interest in forensic pathology but how would I handle the baby cases then? I can't, It would kill me it really would. In the end I'd rather surround myself with the recovery stories, which arent possible with FP, and just deal with the PTS cases if or when they ever come in. Since we live in a small town I doubt itll be so often.

anyway! either medical feild it doesnt matter I'm pretty much hopeless anyway lol since 7 close family members are paramedics, nurses, techs, and dentists, you really don't get to chose anything else!