Veterinarian Or Dog Trainer?

[southerngirl]

So next year I'm going to be a Junior in high school and we will start sending out collage applications, problem is I can't decide between dog trainer and veterinarian. Since I was a little girl I have wanted to be a Veterinarian, but lately I've been thinking about a dog trainer instead because 7 years of collage to be a veterinarian is a long time and I'm wondering if it's worth it or if I really want to do this. Is any one here a Veterinarian or in college to become one? If so could you please tell me how challenging you feel the college training is? Do you feel all those years in college are worth it? Is any one here a dog trainer? What classes did you take in college if you went? How did you become one? Is it hard to become successful(do you have a lot of clients)?
I really need to decide if you have any suggestions please feel free to tell me. Thank You.

 

[Puppylove]

I have a double masters in nursing and went back and did my degree in animal behaviour, I love to study and educate; I'm a sucker for knowledge If I can put my two cents in.. I think study to be a veterinarian would be more beneficial for you. You can be a vet then specialise in dog training and behaviour BUT you can't be a dog trainer then be a vet. Does that make sense? Studying to be a veterinarian will open a lot more dogs and you can eventually end up doing both things.. Hope I helped...

 

[tigerlily46514]

Great question, SouthernGirl, if you have the fund$ to go to vet school, i doubt you'd ever regret it.


Most vets i know seem to be friendly ppl, i'd bet, most vets would let you interview them, either on phone or if you set up quickie appt to ask them questions.
The vets also might be able to hook you up with current vet students who could answer more questions about which schools, current curriculum, (which professors to avoid, ha ha) etc.

Make a list of questions you want to ask, have it written down.

You could also *try* calling your local veterinary schools, and asking to have an appt with a counselor there, to advise you about what the school program would be like, etc.

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[tigerlily46514]

I don't think becoming a dog trainer takes that long,
you can ALWAYS fall back on that.

Most places, you can just hang out a shingle, and go.
WA-LA!!! You are now a dog trainer.

Becoming a GOOD dog trainer, could take time.
Becoming a certified trainer, i don't think takes an extraordinary amt of time, either. DTA has teenagers who are certified tricks trainers,
and they are still in high school. I think Sara and Hero even offer a way to test out on some things over in the "instructions" area of forums.

You may want to investigate also "animal behaviorist" as well, as something to consider.

 

[Ripleygirl]

Great question, southerngirl! Follow your heart with it but get as much info and advice from everywhere possible to back up your heart... As Tigerlily said if you have the money for vet school then I believe you would not regret the long hard slog... You can have your veterinarianship and then specialise in behaviour etc (as mentioned by Puppylove) but don't discount how far you can go as a vet... it is worth the slog. My friend from school in Britain went through vet school and it was hard work, but she would never change that and is now is Christchurch in New Zealand as a vet and also runs agility and behavioural classes as a sideline. If she hadn't done vet school she would probably still be in the wet and windy Uk and certainly wouldn't be earning the bomb that she is in what she does and I'm certain wouldn't be half as happy in her career as she is... Good luck on your decision!

 

[fickla]

I just want to add to everyone else's comments, that if you ultimately decide to be a dog trainer it will be a long road before you can turn that into a full time career and earn enough to live off of. If you want to do dog training FULL TIME than you will either have to end up working for a non profit as a type of service dog trainer, the government as some type of police dog trainer, or own your own business and get enough clients to get up to full time.

While anyone can technically paint a sign and call them selves a dog trainer, it will take years of experience in order to hone your skills to get to the point where you can do it full time.

Good luck on your decision!

 

[southerngirl]

Thank you for all the advice you guys! It's really helpful.

 

[Dogster]

Good question!!!
I know I'm younger than you, so what should I know about this topic, lol Anyways, if you can find a way to do both that would be AWESOME!!!! But I think you'll have a better shot at becoming a vet. It's hard to become a well-recognized dog trainer. Well, that's what I think. You can completely disagree.