Possibly the most important skill to acquire is good customer service. People will always need to trust the person they are leaving their pet with. The first impression a pet sitter makes on their client is extremely important. They must display professionalism, knowledge of the job and must also show a genuine love of dogs. A good knowledge of all veterinary issues will be useful should any emergencies arise.

Dedication to the job is essential for a person who wishes to be recommended by clients. Pet owners choose to use a pet sitter because they would rather leave their pet in familiar surroundings. This would be a pointless practice if the pet were always left with new and unfamiliar surroundings. Making oneself available and if necessary, putting the animals before socialising may benefit the reputation of a pet sitter.

The actual service that is provided in the absence of the pet owners is also of high importance. Is the pet happy and comfortable with you? What measures do you take to ensure that he’s happy and comfortable with you? Do you pay attention to simple things such as feeding and walking? Are you comfortable with the pet? Is the pet happy to see you? All of these things are important to consider when thinking about the service you provide.

Good business skills are also important. The majority of pet sitters are self employed. Therefore, to be able to provide the best possible service to the client it is imperative that the business is run as efficiently as possible. There will be no room for inefficient financial management, especially since the income is not terribly high.

There are various areas and degrees of home pet care. Some people, particularly youngsters offer a dog walking service. This is a valuable service for elderly pet owners who may not be mobile enough to take their pet out. Other people offer a home boarding service where a pet can go and stay in a house with a person who looks after the pet whilst the owners are absent. This service is usually offered by people with a lot of knowledge about the type of animal they are looking after.

Whichever service is being offered, it is nearly always offered by a pet lover. Be that the casual cat lover or the seasoned dog enthusiast. This type of job is suited to people who are mobile, enthusiastic and genuinely fond of the pets they look after.

The role of the vet is one of high stress, high responsibility and high reward. A lot of training and studying goes into becoming a vet and not all that go down that avenue are successful.

A vet is not a person who simply attends to sick animals. He is also the person who has to put the sick animals to sleep. He is the person who cleans up the neglected animals and he is the person that has to with a distressed and vicious animal who needs his help. Of course this job can be highly rewarding but it can also be highly distressing.

Anybody wishing to pursue a career in veterinary surgery should recognize that early planning is essential. A good set of G.C.S.E. results are needed so that the candidate can go on to take the relevant A-levels. Excellent A-level results are required in two science based subjects, a maths based subject is preferred and one other subject is also required. An honours degree is the next step. Only six universities in the United Kingdom offer courses in subjects leading to a veterinary degree. They are, Bristol University, Cambridge University, Liverpool University, Edinburgh University, The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and Imperial College, London. It is important to note that the courses that these institutions offer are subject to change, so it is important to refer to the U.C.A.S. handbook.

Even if a student earns a first class honours degree from one of the above institutes, it does not mean that they automatically become a vet. Quite often supplementary training is required for vets wishing to specialise in certain areas. Certain surgeons prefer to work with certain animals, others prefer to work in certain areas of vet surgery such as anaesthesia or cardiology. But the main job of any vet is to help any animal in need of any emergency treatment  and all vets will be qualified to cover a broad base of procedures.

Other attributes that a vet will find invaluable include a good state of physical health and fitness. The industry also demands that a vet be mobile, so a full and current U.K. driving licence. Business skills are useful, especially if the vet is wishing to set up his own practice. Good communication and social skills will be needed, a vet will inevitably have the unenviable task of telling a person that their pet will need to be put to sleep. This needs to be done in a sensitive yet clear way. This skill can only be acquired through time.

Being a veterinary surgeon requires huge amounts of dedication, experience, professionalism and hard work. But the rewards can be huge. A vet can receive the satisfaction of saving the life of an animal, the salary of a vet is usually very high, but so is the work load.

To find out more, contact:

The Royal College of  Veterinary Surgeons.
Belgravia House.
62 Horseferry Road.
London.
SW1P 2AF.
Telephone-0207 222 2001.

Prior to 1974, security dogs were a lot rarer, therefore of the first sets of security dogs were lower in quality than those that we are used to seeing today at football matches and other events where high profile people may be.

Security dogs can be needed for many reasons, but they are only ever effective when under the control of fully trained and qualified security dog handler. The skills needed to become a security dog trainer are not easily acquired, and certain qualifications are essential before any person can practice as a security dog trainer. To become a security dog trainer a person must either complete a course held at an accredited training centre or pass an exam on the patrol dog training scheme.

The main issues relevant to the successful completion of the assessment of include:

Temperament. This includes appearance and general condition of the dog. A well kept and good looking dog will always command more respect  than a scruffy, unhealthy looking dog.

Control. It is imperative that the handler be able to exercise complete control over the dog. Security work carries with it huge responsibly. Security personnel cannot afford to have a dog in which they do not have complete trust. This is why it is essential for the handlers and trainers to develop a good bond with any dog they work with. Potential security dog handlers will be required to demonstrate their control skills by completing five tasks. The dog must respond to ‘stay’, ‘heel’, ‘sit’ and  ‘stay’, he must remain calm when the handler talks to a stranger, he must be able to get in and out of a patrol vehicle. He must also know how to get through a doorway in the quickest and most efficient way. The handler must be able to pick up the dog and carry him for ten paces.

Agility. This will constitute the dog having to successfully negotiate a hurdle jump and a solid wall jump. This can be done on or off the lead.

Basic detection and protection. This will involve an exercise in which an ‘intruder’ has to be tackled by the dog under the instructions of his handler. This is a good opportunity for the judges to see if the handler has a natural talent for training dogs.

Oral examination. This is when the examiner checks to see if the potential trainer is aware of the legal responsibilities he has as well as the veterinary issues he will need to be aware of in order to look after his dog properly. He will also be expected to fit a muzzle on the dog correctly.
 
The only way a person can become an officially recognized security dog handler is by completing the course set out by the British institute of professional dog trainers (security division.)

Further information can be obtained by contacting:

B.I.P.D.T.
Bowstone gate,
Nr Disley,
Cheshire’SK12AW.

Training starts early, and the first stage of training a potential guide dog is the puppy walking stage. This is done by a volunteer every day to provide a basic foundation for the advanced guide dog training. The dog is taken for long walks to help build his confidence and give him worldly experience.

Once the dog has finished puppy-hood the more challenging training will begin. This part of the training is more intense than the first stage as there can be no dogs that struggle in the last stages of training. This part of the training includes familiarising the dog with the type of surroundings he will be required to negotiate with his new owner. He will also need to develop a strong sense of self-confidence and must be able to concentrate and not be distracted before he can be handed over to the guide dog mobility instructor.

To become a qualified guide dog trainer, applicants will need to be eighteen years old or over and possess three G.C.S.E passes at grade c or above, or the equivalent. They must also have a full and current driving licence. An aptitude for learning is one quality that is looked favourably upon, as is a natural affinity with and understanding of dogs. Potential guide dog trainers must be physically fit and willing to work outside in all types of weather.

Dog trainers begin their employment as a trainee, and are constantly assessed and evaluated on their performance. Completion of each module results in a pay rise for the trainee. Upon completion of all of the modules the candidate is considered a qualified guide dog trainer.

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Vets will be reluctant to refer a behaviourist who is not a member of any associations that are in place to standardise service. Also, referrals may not be forthcoming if it is considered that a person practicing as a dog behaviourist does not possess any formal or academic qualifications that are relevant to this particular field.

This is a demanding vocation and certain skills are essential for one to succeed. It is important for anyone considering this job to be able to combine a love and understanding of dogs with good academic qualifications and standards. (An honours degree indicates an aptitude for learning which is essential to this job. An honours degree in psychology or biological science would be even more useful.) Communication skills are essential, as this job will require a person to be in contact with pet owners who will want to express certain problems and expect you to be able to give answers. This is a very skilled trade and as such, a behaviourist’s expertise may be required in other areas. Courts may require a behaviourist when dealing with The dangerous dogs act, this will require any behaviourist to be articulate, knowledgeable and well presented. Informative or general interest publications may require the wisdom of a pet behaviourist, which means good English and written skills are essential. Behaviourists who choose to practice as self-employed will certainly need good business skills. A reliable means of transport is essential and as with all dog related careers, so is a good sense of humour.

A behaviourist can expect to be confronted with many unusual situations, but some of the more common ones include destructive chewing, excessive barking, inappropriate toilet going, and aggressive behaviour amongst others.

There are many routes in to this profession, as with many dog related careers people can start off as kennel-hand and gain knowledge and training from that. Other people may go to university to get the qualifications they want or need. However practical experience with dogs is essential to supplement any academic qualification. There are a number of courses on offer to help people wishing to enter this particular profession.

Further information can be sought from the following sources.

The centre of applied pet Ethology.
P O Box 18.
Tisbury Wilts.
SP3 6NQ.
Telephone-01747871258.

Association of Pet behaviour counsellors.
P O Box 46.
Worcester.
WR8 9YS.
Telephone-01386751151.

The animal care college.
Ascot house, High street, Ascot.
Berkshire.
SL5 7JG.
Telephone-01344628629

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However, certain other outlets such as vets, boarding and breeding kennels and even garden centres are known to offer this service. There are also mobile groomers who visit and groom dogs in their own homes.

Rates of pay vary in this field depending on experience, if you are self-employed and the area in which you work.

It is essential that any potential groomers be equally as proficient at handling dogs as they are at handling a comb and scissors. Some dogs will not want to be shampooed and combed, whereas other dogs will have no problem with it at all. All dog groomers must be prepared to deal with all types of dog, with different coats, in different conditions and in different moods.

Patience is a necessity; a dog groomer could have to spend hours trying to groom a particularly temperamental dog who is showing no signs of cooperating and making the job more difficult.

A dog groomer will have to have extremely good hand to eye coordination in order to be able to do a good grooming of the dog and also to ensure that at no point is the dog in danger of receiving a nick or cut from a slipped pair of scissors.

This possibility can be drastically increased if the dog is agitated or worried, so it is imperative that the groomer is confident at handling dogs and dealing with their moods. Good customer service and business skills are highly desirable.

There are three main avenues to pursue with a view to becoming a dog groomer. Private grooming salons offer training courses, almost all of these are on a fee paying basis. Some private salons offer apprenticeships to young people interested in the job. There youth training programme available which delivers a recognized qualification.

Potential dog groomers who are considering this method of training should be sure to check that they are being trained by someone who possesses the city and guilds dog grooming certificate 775.

All details regarding training for this vocation can be sought from.
The British dog groomers association.
Bedford business centre.
170 Mile road.
Bedford.
MK42 9TW.
01234273933

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