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BLS- How to become a Veterinarian
Veterinarians must obtain a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and a State license. There is keen competition for admission to veterinary school.
Education and training. Prospective veterinarians must graduate with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree from a 4-year program at an accredited college of veterinary medicine. There are 28 colleges in 26 States that meet accreditation standards set by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
The prerequisites for admission to veterinary programs vary. Many programs do not require a bachelor’s degree for entrance, but all require a significant number of credit hours—ranging from 45 to 90 semester hours—at the undergraduate level. However, most of the students admitted have completed an undergraduate program and earned a bachelor’s degree. Applicants without a degree face a difficult task gaining admittance.
Preveterinary courses should emphasize the sciences. Veterinary medical colleges typically require applicants to have taken classes in organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, biochemistry, general biology, animal biology, animal nutrition, genetics, vertebrate embryology, cellular biology, microbiology, zoology, and systemic physiology. Some programs require calculus; some require only statistics, college algebra and trigonometry, or pre-calculus. Most veterinary medical colleges also require some courses in English or literature, other humanities, and the social sciences. Increasingly, courses in general business management and career development have become a standard part of the curriculum to teach new graduates how to effectively run a practice.
In addition to satisfying preveterinary course requirements, applicants must submit test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT), or the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), depending on the preference of the college to which they are applying. Currently, 22 schools require the GRE, 4 require the VCAT, and 2 accept the MCAT.
There is keen competition for admission to veterinary school. The number of accredited veterinary colleges has remained largely the same since 1983, but the number of applicants has risen significantly. Only about 1 in 3 applicants was accepted in 2005.
New graduates with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree may begin to practice veterinary medicine once they receive their license, but many new graduates choose to enter a 1-year internship. Interns receive a small salary but often find that their internship experience leads to better paying opportunities later, relative to those of other veterinarians. Veterinarians who then seek board certification also must complete a 3- to 4-year residency program that provides intensive training in one of the 20 AVMA-recognized veterinary specialties including internal medicine, oncology, pathology, dentistry, nutrition, radiology, surgery, dermatology, anesthesiology, neurology, cardiology, ophthalmology, preventive medicine, and exotic small-animal medicine.
Licensure. All States and the District of Columbia require that veterinarians be licensed before they can practice. The only exemptions are for veterinarians working for some Federal agencies and some State governments. Licensing is controlled by the States and is not strictly uniform, although all States require the successful completion of the D.V.M. degree—or equivalent education—and a passing grade on a national board examination, the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam. This 8-hour examination consists of 360 multiple-choice questions covering all aspects of veterinary medicine as well as visual materials designed to test diagnostic skills.
The Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates grants certification to individuals trained outside the United States who demonstrate that they meet specified requirements for English language and clinical proficiency. This certification fulfills the educational requirement for licensure in all States.
Most States also require candidates to pass a State jurisprudence examination covering State laws and regulations. Some States do additional testing on clinical competency as well. There are few reciprocal agreements between States, veterinarians who wish to practice in a different State usually must first pass that State’s examinations.
Other qualifications. When deciding whom to admit, some veterinary medical colleges place heavy consideration on a candidate’s veterinary and animal experience. Formal experience, such as work with veterinarians or scientists in clinics, agribusiness, research, or some area of health science, is particularly advantageous. Less formal experience, such as working with animals on a farm or ranch or at a stable or animal shelter, also can be helpful. Students must demonstrate ambition and an eagerness to work with animals.
Prospective veterinarians must have good manual dexterity. They should have an affinity for animals and the ability to get along with their owners, especially pet owners, who usually have strong bonds with their pets. Veterinarians who intend to go into private practice should possess excellent communication and business skills, because they will need to manage their practice and employees successfully and to promote, market, and sell their services.
Advancement. Most veterinarians begin as employees in established group practices. Despite the substantial financial investment in equipment, office space, and staff, many veterinarians with experience eventually set up their own practice or purchase an established one.
Newly trained veterinarians can become U.S. Government meat and poultry inspectors, disease-control workers, animal welfare and safety workers, epidemiologists, research assistants, or commissioned officers in the U.S. Public Health Service or various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. A State license may be required.
Nearly all States have continuing education requirements for licensed veterinarians. Requirements differ by State and may involve attending a class or otherwise demonstrating knowledge of recent medical and veterinary advances.
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Education and training. Prospective veterinarians must graduate with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree from a 4-year program at an accredited college of veterinary medicine. There are 28 colleges in 26 States that meet accreditation standards set by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
The prerequisites for admission to veterinary programs vary. Many programs do not require a bachelor’s degree for entrance, but all require a significant number of credit hours—ranging from 45 to 90 semester hours—at the undergraduate level. However, most of the students admitted have completed an undergraduate program and earned a bachelor’s degree. Applicants without a degree face a difficult task gaining admittance.
Preveterinary courses should emphasize the sciences. Veterinary medical colleges typically require applicants to have taken classes in organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, biochemistry, general biology, animal biology, animal nutrition, genetics, vertebrate embryology, cellular biology, microbiology, zoology, and systemic physiology. Some programs require calculus; some require only statistics, college algebra and trigonometry, or pre-calculus. Most veterinary medical colleges also require some courses in English or literature, other humanities, and the social sciences. Increasingly, courses in general business management and career development have become a standard part of the curriculum to teach new graduates how to effectively run a practice.
In addition to satisfying preveterinary course requirements, applicants must submit test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT), or the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), depending on the preference of the college to which they are applying. Currently, 22 schools require the GRE, 4 require the VCAT, and 2 accept the MCAT.
There is keen competition for admission to veterinary school. The number of accredited veterinary colleges has remained largely the same since 1983, but the number of applicants has risen significantly. Only about 1 in 3 applicants was accepted in 2005.
New graduates with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree may begin to practice veterinary medicine once they receive their license, but many new graduates choose to enter a 1-year internship. Interns receive a small salary but often find that their internship experience leads to better paying opportunities later, relative to those of other veterinarians. Veterinarians who then seek board certification also must complete a 3- to 4-year residency program that provides intensive training in one of the 20 AVMA-recognized veterinary specialties including internal medicine, oncology, pathology, dentistry, nutrition, radiology, surgery, dermatology, anesthesiology, neurology, cardiology, ophthalmology, preventive medicine, and exotic small-animal medicine.
Licensure. All States and the District of Columbia require that veterinarians be licensed before they can practice. The only exemptions are for veterinarians working for some Federal agencies and some State governments. Licensing is controlled by the States and is not strictly uniform, although all States require the successful completion of the D.V.M. degree—or equivalent education—and a passing grade on a national board examination, the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam. This 8-hour examination consists of 360 multiple-choice questions covering all aspects of veterinary medicine as well as visual materials designed to test diagnostic skills.
The Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates grants certification to individuals trained outside the United States who demonstrate that they meet specified requirements for English language and clinical proficiency. This certification fulfills the educational requirement for licensure in all States.
Most States also require candidates to pass a State jurisprudence examination covering State laws and regulations. Some States do additional testing on clinical competency as well. There are few reciprocal agreements between States, veterinarians who wish to practice in a different State usually must first pass that State’s examinations.
Other qualifications. When deciding whom to admit, some veterinary medical colleges place heavy consideration on a candidate’s veterinary and animal experience. Formal experience, such as work with veterinarians or scientists in clinics, agribusiness, research, or some area of health science, is particularly advantageous. Less formal experience, such as working with animals on a farm or ranch or at a stable or animal shelter, also can be helpful. Students must demonstrate ambition and an eagerness to work with animals.
Prospective veterinarians must have good manual dexterity. They should have an affinity for animals and the ability to get along with their owners, especially pet owners, who usually have strong bonds with their pets. Veterinarians who intend to go into private practice should possess excellent communication and business skills, because they will need to manage their practice and employees successfully and to promote, market, and sell their services.
Advancement. Most veterinarians begin as employees in established group practices. Despite the substantial financial investment in equipment, office space, and staff, many veterinarians with experience eventually set up their own practice or purchase an established one.
Newly trained veterinarians can become U.S. Government meat and poultry inspectors, disease-control workers, animal welfare and safety workers, epidemiologists, research assistants, or commissioned officers in the U.S. Public Health Service or various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. A State license may be required.
Nearly all States have continuing education requirements for licensed veterinarians. Requirements differ by State and may involve attending a class or otherwise demonstrating knowledge of recent medical and veterinary advances.
BLS
Stop Dog Fighting!
What You Can Do
1. Spread the word about our $5,000 reward by ordering a free reward action pack! Includes posters, postcards, brochures, and stickers with information about our reward. Put them up around your neighborhood and help stop dogfighting.
2. Help take a bite out of dogfighters. Urge your local radio station to run one of our public service announcements, available in English or Spanish, about our standing $5,000 reward for information leading to a conviction of illegal dogfighting.
3. You an also fundraise for local bus ads, billboards and PSA placements. Fundraising is a great way to get the kids involved: Have them hold a bake sale or car wash.
4. Do you have friends who offer services or own stores? Have them donate half their proceeds of a weekend towards a fund to advertise our animal fighting reward.
5. Educate the masses (or at least your circle of friends). Order a copy of our educational video, "Life in on The Chain, Death in the Ring" and invite your friends over for a viewing party. Pictures are worth a thousand words, and there is no better way to get people motivated to do something than to let them see the problem. Host a party and then split into groups to plaster the city with reward posters.
6. Want to go further? Have an official viewing in a church or other public area (with permission, of course), and advertise the event. What a way to build a local coalition!
7. If you live in a state where dogfighting penalties are deficient (like California, New York, or several others), write to your state legislators and urge them to upgrade the law. Wherever you live, urge your local, state and Congressional representatives to support better funding for enforcement of animal fighting laws.
8. Learn about our grassroots End Dogfighting Campaign, and get involved.
9. Sign up to receive HSUS' email alerts to get the latest news about our efforts to combat animal cruelty.
10. Put a dedicated team on the animals' side by donating to our Animal Cruelty Response and Reward Fund.
11. Write letters to the editor about the cruelty and dangers of dogfighting.
12. Make friends with your sheriff, and bring animal fighting issues to his attenton. Call or visit your local law enforcement office and bring them animal fighting reward posters. Even better, present law enforcement with statements from local animal control or shelter workers regarding the signs they see of animal fighting in the community.
13. Let your sheriff know about The HSUS' day-long training courses for law enforcement on animal fighting, with experts who discuss the signs of animal fighting and how to eradicate it. Once your sheriff is serious about cracking down on dogfighting and cockfighting, word will quickly spread that your town is no safe haven for animal fighters.
14. Post our dogfighting video on your website, blog, or social networking profile like Facebook to raise awareness about dogfighting.
15. If you suspect dogfighting in your own neighborhood, alert local law enforcement. Urge your local officials to contact The HSUS for practical tools, advice, and assistance. The HSUS has a standing reward—now doubled to $5,000—for information leading to a conviction of illegal dogfighting.
How to Spot Signs of Dogfighting in Your Community
- An inordinate number of pit bulls being kept in one location, especially multiple dogs who are chained and seem unsocialized
- Dogs with scars on their faces, front legs, and stifle area (hind end and thighs)
- Dogfighting training equipment such as treadmills used to build dogs' endurance, "break sticks" used to pry apart the jaws of dogs locked in battle, tires or "springpoles" (usually a large spring with rope attached to either end) hanging from tree limbs, or unusual foot traffic coming and going from a location at odd hours
Well said PETA!
From the PETA Blog
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It wasn't easy to choose two people out of the slew of celebrities who have taken action for animals this year—heck, just during the past two months, Joanna Krupa bared her true feelings about purebred pups, Ana Ortiz blasted McDonald's, and a blinding number of stars all agreed that protesting the Canadian seal slaughter fit their caring personalities to a T.
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But we had to make a decision, so this year, PETA's Man of the Year is Tim Gunn and PETA's Woman of the Year is Ellen DeGeneres. I must say, we're over the moon about it!
Let's start with Ellen—ever since she and her wife, Portia De Rossi, decided to ditch all animal products in 2008, Ellen has made sure that her wildly popular talk show includes features to raise people's awareness of animal issues. She made vegan pizza with Chef Wolfgang Puck, spoke with Dr. Neal Barnard about the health benefits of a vegan diet, and just in time for Thanksgiving, "talked turkey" about the everyday abuse of animals on factory farms with Jonathan Safran Foer, author of Eating Animals. Ellen also created pages on her Web site that feature insight, info, and tips about cruelty-free living. Visitors can find recipes, read about why Ellen went vegan, learn where to shop, and more.
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Now on to Tim Gunn: The connoisseur of class, the guru of good taste, the titan of tact (I could go on all afternoon with these) narrated our video exposing skin-crawling atrocities suffered by animals who are slaughtered for their pelts, and the media have been buzzing ever since. Tim recently told the L.A. Times, "Wearing fur is like wearing a big sign reading, 'I'm in favor of inflicting cruelty and pain on animals as a fashion statement.' Unspeakable torture is inflicted on dogs, cats, bunnies, raccoons, foxes, minks, and myriad trapped, helpless creatures in the name of fashion—yes, dogs and cats."
And thanks to Tim, fur challenges are noticeably absent from Project Runway—and there's zero fur at Liz Claiborne, where he is chief creative officer.
So, to Ellen DeGeneres for her exuberant embrace of cruelty-free living and to Tim Gunn for his thoughtful and thought-provoking messages of compassion for animals, we at PETA are dancing in the halls. Thank you, thank you! And conga-rats!
Posted by Karin Bennett
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I've got a new look!
I was just over at TheContestHub and saw that there was a giveaway with my favorite blog designer. I like my page look but, I really liked the layout of the new design that was being given out. CreativeBlogMe was able to blend the 2 sites into just what I needed. Thank you!
...
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How to Be a Good Dog Owner
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
If you have a dog, or have just gotten a pup, you know all about the unconditional love your pet gives. You want to give back to your loyal canine, but how? Read the advice given below.
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If you have a dog, or have just gotten a pup, you know all about the unconditional love your pet gives. You want to give back to your loyal canine, but how? Read the advice given below.
Steps
- Learn to groom your dog yourself. It is a great time for you to bond with your dog. Take your dog to the groomers when it isn't possible for you to groom properly. Grooming should be done on a daily basis.
- Take your dog out for two long walks each day. 'Long' means about thirty minutes. He needs the exercise, and this will become a good habit for both of you. However, if you have a small breed or a puppy, you might want to start out with less and gradually work your way up.
- Crate train your dog. This means he needs to sleep in his crate from the beginning. A crate is your dogs home (den) and his security.
- Make sure you reward and compliment your pup when he does something right. Give him a treat, or go 'Good boy! Great job!' in an excited voice.
- When your pup is young, take him to a training classes. Teach him basic commands such as 'Sit', 'Stay', 'Down' and 'Heel' and how to walk on a leash. Training will also give you tips on how to control him and better his behavior.
- Let your pooch to know how to act around other dogs by giving him social interaction. If you don't have another dog introduce to him to dogs you know (example: your best friends pooch).
- Be sure you license your dog. Dog tags are important for your dog to have and microchips are affordable so you can get your dog back if he runs away.
- Go to www.mypetpages.webs.com for more information.
Tips
- Be patient with puppies. It takes time for them to learn.
- Give your dog the right toys and bones for when you can't pay attention to them.
- Don't go overboard with expensive toys. Dogs love the inexpensive ones too! An old washrag dampened with water, tied in a knot and frozen is a great treat for teething puppies.
Warnings
- Never be too strict or harsh to your dog. Remember that your precious pooch does have feelings and give them lots of love.
- Don't ever use violence with them!
- Use a newspaper to get your dog's attention in a dangerous situation by swatting the air near your dog to elicit a sound from the paper and distract your dog. Do not hit the dog with it or your hand, otherwise your dog may not trust you or be afraid of your hands.
Related wikiHows
- How to Understand Dogs and Their Environments
- How to Clean Dogs Ears
- How to Get Help for Dogs with Canine Epilepsy
- How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Dogs
- How to Detect Diabetes in Dogs
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Be a Good Dog Owner. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
How to Give a Small Dog a Bath
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
One of the advantages of owning a small dog is that they are very easy to bathe at home, though, at times can be difficult. Often small dogs are frightened by the noise and activity of a high volume pet salon. Why not save yourself the expense and your dog's nerves by following these simple steps for bathing your small dog at home?
Steps
- Can Be Bathed in the Kitchen Sink]] Collect the materials you will need so you will have everything close at hand. These materials generally include combs and brushes, pet shampoo, clean towels, and perhaps doggie treats. If you think about cleaning the dog's ears, then getting some cotton balls would be a good idea.
- Allow your dog time to adjust to the idea of getting a bath. If you have a puppy, or a new pet, the whole process may be somewhat frightening, so take things slowly. Help your dog to associate the tub or sink with pleasant things by placing the rubber mat in the tub and feeding meals there. Be ready to hand out lots of praise and a few treats to make the bath a pleasant experience for your dog. It will pay off in the long run if your pet is a happy participant, rather than frightened or resistant.
- Groom your dog's coat before bathing to remove loose dirt, mats and snarls. Tangles in your dog's coat will be much harder to remove once his coat is wet. If you find yourself chopping away at matted fur - have them removed by a professional groomer the first time, then groom your pet more regularly to avoid matting in the future.
- Decide whether you will bathe your dog in the bath tub or kitchen sink. This is not only a question of your dog's size. It is also important to judge whether your dog is likely to remain calm and obedient during his bath. If there's any chance he might jump away from you, you should bathe your dog in a bath tub, rather than risk a fall from the kitchen sink. Another option is to take your dog with you right into the shower. You will get wet anyway so why not kill two birds with one stone! Sounds silly but it works.
- Place either a rubber mat or a small towel on the bottom of the sink or bath tub. This will keep your pet from slipping on the wet surface, and will help him feel more comfortable.
- Test the water temperature before beginning to wet your dog's coat. Keep your hand in the water to make sure the water temperature is correct. If you're using the kitchen sink, the spray hose attachment makes it easy to wet your dog down. Sprayers emit a sound that affects some dogs so you may wish to have a small plastic pitcher handy to pour water over your dog. Spray attachments are also available for your bath tub to make bathing your dog easier.
- Use a shampoo designed specifically for pets, rather than your own personal shampoo. Quality pet shampoos take into consideration that a dog's skin has a different pH level than human skin. There are also tear-free shampoos that will not sting a dog's eyes. (Keep in mind that just like human tear-free shampoos, they simply contain an eye-numbing agent, and the soap exposure can still damage the eyes. Keep all shampoo, tear-free or not, out of the eyes as much as possible.) A great smelling conditioner is also a nice addition. Consult your veterinarian if your dog has skin irritations or other conditions. Dilute the shampoo and apply from a squeeze bottle (like a dishwashing liquid) so you can squirt the shampoo wherever you wish.
- Avoid getting water or shampoo in your pet's eyes and ears. You can gently place a cotton ball in your pet's ears to help keep the inner ear dry. Rather than using the spray hose on your pet's face, your pet will be happier to have his face cleaned gently with a warm, wet wash cloth.
- Rinse all shampoo out of your dog's coat thoroughly.
- Blot up the water left in his coat by wrapping your dog in a bath towel. Change towels as needed to continue drying your dog's coat. Let his coat air dry once you have blotted up as much water as you reasonably can.
- Blow-dry your dog's coat to get your dog dry more quickly, if your pet will tolerate this. Always use a low-temperature setting (warm or cool) to avoid inadvertently burning your dog's skin. Using a lower fan setting will undoubtedly be easier for your dog to endure. Some dog hair gets very static-y. There are sprays that limit this, help keep the hair smooth and easier to brush.
- Praise your dog and give him a tasty treat as a reward for good behavior. He'll quickly learn that getting a bath is not a frightening experience.
Video
This video is not specific to small dogs but has instructions relevant to bathing dogs of all sizes.
Tips
- Bath time is also a good time to examine your dog carefully for skin irritations, fleas and ticks,ear infections or other health concerns. It may be useful to trim his nails at the same time your bathe him. Metal nail files are good for skittish dogs and owners you can also use a battery powered nail file to make the process faster. Sometimes a groomer will let you watch the process and you may want to observe before you go at it yourself the first time.
- One thing that may prevent dogs from shaking is to hold their ear. This should only be done while taking them to a more shake-friendly place.
- If your dog tends to shake try placing one hand over the back of the neck when washing. This can stop the shake before it starts and keep you (and your bathroom) relatively dry.
- Some small dogs prefer placing their front paws on the edge of the bath away from you. My dog puts his paws up in the side of the tub facing the wall. It helps keep him calm and from that position he can't jump out.
- It is very important to brush your dog after every bath so that their hair doesn't get matted.
Warnings
- Be careful not to get water in the small dog's nose as they can choke very easily. Try covering its nose with the palm of your hand. Or, as mentioned above, use a wash cloth around his face, rather than spraying or pouring water over his head.
- Try not to bathe the dog too often as this may strip the dog of its natural oils causing its skin to dry out. Regular grooming and brushing will go a long way to keeping a dog healthy between baths.
- Do not bathe the dog with soap intended for humans. It can damage the dog's skin by making it dry, forming flakes or creating chemical reactions. Remember human skin and the skin of a dog are not the same.
- Use warm water. If you must use cold water, use it slowly. Continuously running cold water might only be 60 degrees and a dog's body cannot tolerate that much cold. If you dog is young, old, small, or has little fur or fat, use warm water! Imagine having someone run an equal amount of water over your body, at 60 degrees. If you weigh 120 and the puppy weighs 12, that would be 10 garden hoses worth of water being sprayed over your body, at 60 degrees. If it would continue, it would definately be uncomfortable, and could be fatal.
- Dry your small dog thoroughly and keep her sheltered until she is completely dry - small dogs can be vulnerable and catch a cold quite easily.
- Do not try to use your own shampoo for your dog. Although it might be safe to just wash the fur of certain long-haired dogs, it's better to stay risk-free and use a dog shampoo. Tear-free will make the job easier.
Things You'll Need
- Pet shampoo - Use a shampoo formulated for dogs, because a dog's skin has a different Ph level than we do, so using human shampoo is inappropriate.
- A good grooming brush
- Lots of towels and a favorite waterproof squeaky toy can help the dog feel more at ease
- A small dog
Related wikiHows
- How to Share Your Dog Knowledge
- How to Select a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- How to Buy a Purebred Puppy
- How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Dogs
- How to Find a Lost Dog
- How to Choose Healthy Dog Food
- How to Give Your Cat a Bath Without Fear
- How to Give Your Large Dog a Bath
- How to Wash a Dog
- How to Hold a Dachshund
- How to Travel With a Small Pet
Sources and Citations
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Give a Small Dog a Bath. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
How to Become a Professional Dog Walker
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Walking dogs for a living is more than just clicking on a leash and getting some exercise together. You need to be a dog-lover who is in tune with the ways of dogs and ready to run a business. Yet, it can be a rewarding job for a dedicated person who is well-organized, professional and human and dog client-oriented. Here are some suggestions on how to start your professional dog walking career..
Steps
- Consider how big you want your dog walking career to be. Be realistic - you'll probably need to start small, and allow yourself to grow. Do you want it to be a part-time or a full-time career? How much time can you devote to dog-walking? If you are young and want to make money by dog walking, make flyers and offer around your neighborhood. For example, consider these scenarios:
- If you are a student who needs income during studies, you will have crunch times around exams and essay due dates but you will likely be fairly flexible during the rest of the time. Be honest with a potential client and explain your availability, including the possibility that there may be certain times when you will be very busy and may need to reschedule temporarily at such times. Always let them know you'll make up for it during vacation etc.
- If you want to start a permanent business, consider whether it is something you want to work 9 - 5 (or extended hours) 5 - 7 days a week, or is it something that only interests you part-time, say 2 - 3 days a week of a few hours here and there? These are important considerations that will either expand or limit your options and availability. More hours means more clients and a likelihood of referrals. Less hours will mean more devotion to a small corps of clients and a need to make it clear to them that your availability is limited to them.
- If you are a student who needs income during studies, you will have crunch times around exams and essay due dates but you will likely be fairly flexible during the rest of the time. Be honest with a potential client and explain your availability, including the possibility that there may be certain times when you will be very busy and may need to reschedule temporarily at such times. Always let them know you'll make up for it during vacation etc.
- Be prepared for running a business. If you want a large business, are you prepared to manage employees and cover a larger part of the city than you could do alone? If you make your business large, you will need employees. You will need to:
- Get insurance and become bonded.
- Interview pet sitters, check them for reliability, train them and pay them.
- Be able to trust them to do their dog-walking according to your instructions.
- Keep good financial records, manage a payroll system, pay taxes on business income, and manage other worker's requirements.
- Keep a tight leash (no pun intended) on the client arrangements. As owner of the business, you should make all arrangements for dog-walking directly with clients and then provide the instructions, keys etc. to your employees. That way, if things don't work out with your dog-walker employee, you keep the client and substitute with a new employee.
- Get insurance and become bonded.
- Set the amount you want to charge. How you price your services will depend on the quality of your service and the length of time you have been dog-walking professionally. It will be difficult to charge higher amounts until word-of-mouth begins to boost your business and you have solid references.
- Research the field first. What are other dog-walkers charging in your area? Ask them if they are willing to divulge information to a potential competitor. Compete fairly with them - you could undercut slightly at first to get a toehold in the business. Don't undercut viciously; after all, you want to stay in this industry, not be cold-shouldered by your fellow dog-walkers. If there is no one competing, then use the internet to get some idea of the costs for your region.
- Don't under-charge or over-charge. Undercharging will lead some to think you are an amateur, perhaps even the local school kids looking for odd jobs. Charge a fair amount in return for good, reliable and professional services.
- Research the field first. What are other dog-walkers charging in your area? Ask them if they are willing to divulge information to a potential competitor. Compete fairly with them - you could undercut slightly at first to get a toehold in the business. Don't undercut viciously; after all, you want to stay in this industry, not be cold-shouldered by your fellow dog-walkers. If there is no one competing, then use the internet to get some idea of the costs for your region.
- Print some stylish business cards. Make sure that they present a professional image and provide your contact details. Include a few short, pithy lines or words about what you offer as part of the dog-walking service. For instance:
- Say where the dogs will be walked - for example, to the parks, on green grass, in quieter areas of the city - whatever you think dog-owners would appreciate and trust.
- Explain what you will do with the dogs to keep them entertained and well-exercised - for example, that you are prepared to run with the dogs for exercise, that you will play ball/tug rope/fetch with the dogs etc.
- The ways in which you will pay attention to nutritional and medical requirements of your canine charges.
- Say where the dogs will be walked - for example, to the parks, on green grass, in quieter areas of the city - whatever you think dog-owners would appreciate and trust.
- Advertise. Pass around flyers or business cards to let people know about your business. Stop residents walking their dogs as you walk around, introduce yourself and offer your business card to them. Begin to network with family and friends regarding your business. Start small and let your good business spread by word-of-mouth. There is no harm in asking your first set of clients to refer you to their friends, colleagues etc. If they are happy with your work, many will be happy to do this.
- Consider value-adding with other services. It might be worthwhile adding other dog-services to your skills-set. While these additional services will also add costs and some may even require business or home-office style space, if you are seriously considering make an entire career from dogs, this may be the key to a lucrative career. Consider extra services as:
- Dog-bathing and dog-grooming;
- Dog-sitting (either on client's premises or at yours if you have space for boarding kennels);
- Dog-training (if you are properly qualified only);
- Dog-listening (if you are properly qualified only);
- Spending extra time after the walk at client's home with a dog to simply be with it, play with it, feed it etc; and
- Dog medical attention - some owners can't stay home from work to medicate their dogs; you could be the answer.
- Dog-bathing and dog-grooming;
- Love and understand your canine clients. You need to love dogs to have a successful career with dogs. It is as simple as that. Dogs sense non-dog people and it won't be smooth riding if you aren't truly comfortable around them. There are some important considerations to think about:
- Do you know as much as possible about dogs? Know as much as you can, not just from your own experience with them but also from reading and speaking to the owners and to your local vet.
- How many dogs will you walk at any one time? Some dog-walkers can walk as many as ten dogs at once, all shapes and sizes. Consider whether you think this is a good thing or even achievable for you!
- Do you know which breeds of dogs might not be compatible or will be compatible with one another? Know this before teaming them up for a walk.
- Do you know what to do if a dog is in heat? It'll attract more than its fair share of attention and you'll need to be prepared.
- Do you know how to handle a dog that suddenly turns aggressive on you? Or on passers-by around you?
- Do you know how to poop-scoop? Do you know the local by-laws on walking dogs in certain areas etc? Read up! Your being well-informed will impress clients and will reassure them that you are not amateur and will help them to feel you are going to have their dog's best interests at heart.
- Do you know as much as possible about dogs? Know as much as you can, not just from your own experience with them but also from reading and speaking to the owners and to your local vet.
- Understand your human clients. Realize that your human clients will have all sorts of expectations, based on their own beliefs in dog-care and often with a dose of guilt that they can't spare the time to do what you are doing for them. Be generous in your compassion for their concerns (after all, they know their own pooch best) and be tolerant of the more difficult requests. Gentle persuasion and negotiation will often win the human client over!
- Learn some basic dog first-aid. Ask at a local veterinary for some training in basic dog first-aid (expect to pay the vet for this advice). It will help you to fix some of the little problems that you may encounter. And while you're at this, do you know the first-aid for a dog bite?
Tips
- Have extra leashes, collars, dog toys, dog treats, etc. Get a good backpack for storing extras as you walk, something that your dog clients can't reach.
- Take water for you and for the dogs you are walking. Take a small bowl for the water.
- Keep a raincoat handy at all times. It'll bother you more than the dogs if it starts to pour.
- Your dog-walking career might start slowly first, but don't worry; as long as you are professional, punctual and trustworthy, your business will grow in no time.
- Get police checks/clearance papers to show potential clients that you are trustworthy and that you are taking a professional approach. This is an important consideration since you are entering their homes during their work hours to take pooch for a walk; you have access to their keys and everything else.
- Insurance is also a must. You never know what may happen. Dog Walking insurance is cheap.
- Be sure to have a signed service agreement to be sure your business is covered against liability.
Warnings
- Always be cautious around the dogs that you are not familiar with!
- Be certain that you have good physical fitness; dog-walking can be a strenuous activity, especially with medium to large dogs.
- Remember this is NOT YOUR DOG. Take care of it like it is.
- DONT Let the dog off the leash until you have really gotten to know them and the listen well to you
Things You'll Need
- Leashes
- Other equipment as required
- Dog treats/cookies
- Good communication skills
- Pooper Scooper or a plastic bag to pick up poops
- Toys
- Food
- Notebook with all clients emergency numbers
- Map
Related wikiHows
- How to Walk a Dog
- How to Walk Two Dogs with One Leash
- How to Walk Two Dogs at the Same Time on Leashes
- How to Approach a Shy or Fearful Dog
- How to Become Friends With an Unfriendly Dog
- How to Be a Good Dog Sitter
- How to Make Dogs Love You
- How to Select a Pet Sitter
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Become a Professional Dog Walker. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
HSUS Rewards for Information- Dog Fighting
Animal Fighting Hurts Animals, Children, Communities and You
Be Part of the Solution
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) offers a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in dogfighting or cockfighting.
If you have information about illegal animal fighting, you are eligible for this reward. Here are the steps to take.
- Call your local police department or animal control agency. Give them as many details as you can about the suspected animal fighting situation.
You do not need to give your name to law enforcement to report illegal animal fighting.
Tell the law enforcement agency about The HSUS's reward program. - Get a letter from law enforcement. If the suspected animal fighter is convicted, ask the law enforcement agency involved in the case to write a letter to The HSUS.
The letter should state that your tip helped lead to the arrest and prosecution of the convicted animal fighter. The letter should be mailed or faxed to:Animal Fighting Reward Program
c/o Ann Chynoweth
The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St. NW
Washington, DC 20037
FAX: 301-721-6414 - Call The HSUS for more information. If you have questions about the reward program, please call us at 202-452-1100 or go to humanesociety.org
 |
Order our Animal Fighting Reward posters and display them prominently throughout your community or wherever you suspect illegal dogfighting is occurring. To order your free action pack of dogfighting reward posters and stickers, send an email to officeservices@humanesociety.org.
Additionally, The HSUS offers rewards in specific animal cruelty cases, at the request of local law enforcement, to assist in apprehending perpetrators. If you have information about any of the cases below, please contact the local law enforcement agency listed in the case descriptions. You can also contact The HSUS's Media Relations Department at 202-452-1100.
Note: In order to qualify for the Rewards program, this must be an open case. Additionally, law enforcement officers (including ACOs and Humane Officers) are not eligible for the HSUS Rewards program.
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