Need advice for studying?

Question

First of all, I'm studying towards Vet Nursing for captive animals. I've applied for 2 courses. My Certificate in Animal care & Vet Nursing, and the Certificate in Animal Management - Captive Wild Animals.

Now, I've already planned to do them both as well as my Diploma in Vet Nursing, Certificate in Companion Animal Services (Of which I'm already doing the cat strand) for dog, small animals, aquatic and birds so I'm well rounded.

Thing is, we have a dog who we don't take very good care of as we both work full time and don't get much time to spend with her. We're thinking of getting her a decent family, which will be unbelievably hard, or, with the Certificate in Animal Management, I can get a job as a canine trainer and behaviourist, meaning I can get a job where I can take her to work with me. On the other hand, there aren't that many jobs around my area that cater to that, whereas there are many more Vet Clinics where the Certificate in Vet Nursing would be more appropriate.

I just don't know where to start, should I do the Vet Nursing one first and have to give our dog away because there are more options with it?

Or do I do the Animal Management one, where the job options aren't as big, but I can take our dog to work with me?

Any advice would be really helpful, I have less than a month to make a decision and it's not long enough!!!

Answer 1

Keep you dog.  It gives you more credibility with dog/pet owners.

Having a pet and not having the time to spend with it is a problem that many people face.

In the wild, young dogs are often left for most of the day while the adults go off to hunt.  As pets, dogs are most often treated as puppies in the wild would be.  Their behavior remains in adolescence.  Not too many people would want to live in a house ruled by an alpha pair of canines.  You have to take that position.  You likely know more about this than I do.  I have always found it best to have a well trained old dog around the house with a young dog.  Besides just keeping each other company, the pup will learn appropriate behavior from the older one even while you are away.  Keep the dog if you like.

If you are worried that it is not getting enough attention, you do have some options other than giving it up.  

You could have a kid in the neighborhood come by and take it for a walk.  Friends of mine did this for a neighbor kid that wanted a dog.  His parents had him come by, clean up the poo and take the dog for a walk after school.  He got a few bucks, but more importantly was able to demonstrate to his parents that he was responsable enough to have a dog of his own.

Another option, if your dog is docile, is therepy.  Many resthomes welcome dogs and cats.  You could be doing someone a great service if you found one of these that would take your dog for a day.  Leave a bag of treats and some of those elderly people would likely pet and talk to your animal all day long.  Pick up the dog on your way home.  This frees the resthome from the expense of ownership but has the benefit of companionship.