A career working with and around dogs is a dream for many dog lovers. There are a variety of positions in different fields that allow you to work with dogs for a living. These jobs range from animal healthcare to law enforcement, breeding and training. Requirements include necessary skills for your preferred role, the required education and a love for dogs. In this article, we’ll outline 13 great jobs for people who enjoy being around dogs.

Good jobs working with dogs

Here are 13 great jobs for you if you enjoy working with dogs with the salary expectations and primary duties:

1. Veterinary nurse 

National average salary: $24,064 per year

Primary duties: A veterinary nurse assists veterinary doctors in providing medical care to animals. Their primary duties include administering animal medications, preparing the animals for surgery and other medical procedures, collecting samples of blood and urine, keeping animal records and preparing reports. Veterinary nurses may work in hospitals, as well as zoos and animal shelters.

2. Animal control officer 

National average salary: $28,982per year

Primary duties: An animal control officer is responsible for enforcing animal safety laws and ensuring the humane treatment of animals under their jurisdiction. Their primary duties include investigating animal cruelty cases, rescuing endangered and trapped animals, capturing dangerous animals and caring for the animals in their custody. They also write incident reports and provide testimony in court cases

3. Kennel assistant 

National average salary: $29,542 per year

Primary duties: A kennel assistant is responsible for providing basic care to dog kennels at veterinary clinics, shelters or other dog boarding facilities. Their primary duties include cleaning the cages, bathing and grooming the dogs, feeding them and administering medicine when necessary. Kennel assistants may also exercise the dogs and offer training services. In addition, they may be responsible for dropping off dogs at the end of the boarding period.

4. Dog daycare attendant

National average salary: $31,528 per year

Primary duties: A dog daycare attendant is responsible for taking care of the dogs dropped off in a care facility. This involves feeding them, walking them and ensuring they remain safe until their owners return for them. Dog daycare attendants also keep the dog kennels clean and provide training to the dogs, if available at the daycare center.

5. Animal caretaker 

National average salary: $32,092 per year

Primary duties: As the name suggests, an animal caretaker takes care of animals. They may work in shelters, zoos, pet shops, kennels, research facilities, farms or clinics. Their primary duties include feeding the animals, keeping their living area clean, walking them where applicable, administering medication and grooming them. An animal caretaker is also responsible for keeping records of the animals in their care, including treatment records, feeding schedules, exit and entry records. It is their duty to know the status of each animal at every given time.

6. Veterinary technician 

National average salary: $33,789 per year

Primary duties: A veterinary technician provides assistance to veterinary doctors in providing medical care to animals. Their primary duties include carrying out blood and urine tests, administering vaccines, giving medicine and preparing the animals for medical procedures. A veterinary technician also provides emergency first aid and monitors vital signs in animals.

7. Dog walker 

National average salary: $36,451 per year

Primary duties: A dog walker is responsible for keeping a dog exercised. Their primary duties include taking the dogs out for a walk, helping them socialize with other dogs and returning them to their owners in good condition. Dog walkers may also clean up a dog’s elimination, feed it and report any injuries or unusual behavior to the owners.

8. Dog breeder 

National average salary: $38,038per year

Primary duties: A dog breeder mates dogs to produce puppies with specific traits. They provide basic care to their dogs and offer assistance during the gestation and birthing process. Their primary duties include keeping the kennels and cages clean, grooming the dogs, feeding them and providing clean water and administering dietary supplements and medicine. Other specific duties include keeping birth records, helping with insemination and working with vets to ensure that the dogs are in good health and well-nourished.

9. Dog handler

National average salary: $38,077 per year

Primary duties: A dog handler is responsible for providing care and training to dogs. A dog handler can work in a wide range of capacities, including law enforcement for police dogs and in dog shows and pageants. Their primary duties include developing training programs for the dogs in their care, carrying out specialized training to achieve desired outcomes, keeping progress records and maintaining their living area. Dog handlers may also be responsible for feeding, grooming and administering medication.

10. Pet groomer 

National average salary: $42,703 per year

Primary duties: A pet groomer takes care of a pet’s appearance. Their duties include brushing, trimming and styling the pet’s fur, cleaning their ears and keeping their nails trimmed. Pet groomers also keep the animal’s teeth clean and check for any skin conditions.

11. Veterinary receptionist 

National average salary: $45,930 per year

Primary duties: A veterinary receptionist works in a veterinary clinic where they are responsible for managing front desk operations. These include answering phone calls, responding to inquiries, scheduling appointments, receiving mail and handling payments. Apart from basic administrative duties, a veterinary receptionist will need some knowledge of pet care to be able to respond to inquiries appropriately. They will also be involved in managing office supplies and inventory.

12. Dog trainer 

National average salary: $65,667 per year

Primary duties: A dog trainer provides behavioral training to a dog. This includes training in obedience, potty training and specialized training such as bomb detection, rescue operations and more. A dog trainer’s primary duties involve working with the dog owner to teach the dog to respond to certain commands and perform certain actions. They use techniques such as positive reinforcement, conditioning, hand signals and voice commands to improve the dog’s behavior. Dog trainers may be self-employed or work in a shelter, clinic or boarding facility.

13. Veterinarian 

National average salary: $120,936 per year

Primary duties: A veterinarian is a doctor who provides healthcare to animals. They may run a private clinic or work in a shelter, a zoo, research laboratory or another facility with animals. Their primary duties include diagnosing and treating animal diseases, providing emergency medical care to animals, prescribing and administering medication, performing surgical procedures and giving advice on animal care