Timothy,

I was never in the military, but if I was just out of high school and I could do it all over again, I would consider joining the Air Force, Marines or become a LEO.

I think they have military working dog programs in the service and you could receive an education as well. If you became a LEO you could apply for the K9 Unit.

Whatever you decide,I would pursue my dog training career if that was your true passion. I have worked as a cosmetologist,spa manager, travel agent, real estate agent, manufacturing in aerospace, human resources manager, sales person, receptionist, purchasing agent, payroll clerk, pediatric clinic manager, dog groomer and dog trainer. My point being , I have had many jobs, usually 2-3 at the same time to make ends meet. I always have a back up plan regarding employment.They may not be 6 figure jobs, but I can always find a job. In other words, get as much education and training as you can. You don't have to choose computers and stay in that field the rest of your life.

Lisa....it would have been less writting to just tell us what you hadn't worked as!

 Quote: Timothy Dotson

Should I give up on being a dog trainer and just go into some boring computer career that will pay more? Or still go with my original plan and do both? Thanks for any help

Timothy,

Where are you since you first posted? I hope you weren't scared off. I don't have any personal knowledge of the Tom Rose school but I found their website and it sounds pretty intense and a place to go when you have a little experience under your belt. Have you been training dogs? Or is it a dream of yours? If it is a dream I'd suggest getting a little practical experience by volunteering at a shelter or apprenticing at a training school etc to see how you feel and be better situated to enter a school of Tom Rose's level. Also there are some great books about training theory on this site which would be a great investment.

Anything you have an aptitude for is a gift. It doesn't have to be boring and it doesn't have to be something you are tied into for life, but if the ability is there and career potential is decent; it can pay the bills while you pursue your dreams. Don't get bogged down in needing to decide what career path to take now. You need to decide if pursuing computers fits in better with your life now and the experiences you have had so far, or does the Tom Rose school fit better? In looking at the curriculum and cost I know I couldn't swing both at the same time but everyone's circumstances are different.

Have you talked to your guidance counselor? What about college admission's counselors or a represenative of the Tom Rose School? They should be able to provide you with some insight.

I know my next suggestion may sound a little crazy and out there.... but have you discussed this with your parents? Hard to believe as it might be, their knowledge of your history is greater than yours, they can remember years you can not recollect and your best interest is in their hearts. You do not, of course, have to agree or do what they suggest but to dismiss their opinion would be a big mistake.

Have you figured out that I have a 17 year old son who is also a Senior in high school? He is all over the place too so you are in good company Please post again I'd love to know what you decide.

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

Join the Army.

Let them put you through college. You'll learn a heck of a lot about yourself. Join the Active Duty Army and become an MP. After three years if you do well, you can go to Lackland and become a Dog Handler.

I agree 100% You read my mind!

Let me start out by saying, wow! I didn't expect so many responses to this and also sorry about not getting back sooner.

Also joining the military in any way is not really one of my options I was thinking about. Though I'm sure it would be good for some people just not me.

Yes I do have SOME experience in dog training. I have attended a few dog training classes and I worked at a dog training facility to pay off my fee for joining the Schutzhund club. I have also read a few books(some of which were junk btw). But I had to drop the Schutzhund club about a year ago because of school(so much studying) and work. I have a German Shepherd who I was told would be great at Schutzhund and he is excellent at basic Schutzhund, which is has far as I got in his training.

Yes I have also talked to my parents, but they aren't much help. My dad is a Nursing Home administrator, but his dad basically gave that to him and he didn't really have to work for anything. And my mom was a stay at home mom until the divorce. But my dad doesn't support me becoming a dog trainer at all! So that kind of makes me want it even more lol.

Money isn't really a big problem for me, due to the fund my grandfather set up for me a long time ago. I just want to have my colleges picked out and ready to go as soon as possible.

Thought we scared you off, Timothy.

My .02, speaking as a mom but also as someone who rarely did what my parents wanted....

Parental approval is a nice thing to have but, ultimately, it is your life and you have to live it. If dog training is your passion and your interest, then you should go for it. I would say: Make a firm commitment to it for a set time period, like a year, and re-evaluate where things stand at the end of that time. You may love it, you may hate it...but you'll never know if you don't try.

Life is way too short for regrets and "What Ifs".

I think your idea of continuing on with computer studies is a good one. Gives you something to fall back on if you find dog training isn't what you really want to do. You have a lot of work in front of you studying two disciplines, but you may as well do it while you're young and have the stamina.

Going back to your dad's disapproval: You probably aren't going to win this by reasoned debate or argument and, in fact, the more you try to "win" his approval, the more you weaken your position. :wink: You're just going to have to go out and DO it. All any parent wants is to see their child happy and thriving and if dog training does that for you, then your dad will probably fall into line. I can guarantee you that, while he may never "like" your career choice, he will respect you and your decision if he sees you commited to it and working hard at it.

Best of luck to you!

Tim,
5 pages of advice!!!!! WOW!!!!!! Now for my own advice:

Yes, it's important to go with your heart. But, these are changing times we live in. The economy hasn't been in such bad shape since the depression, and it isn't likely to get better anytime soon. We're in a period of transition right now, and which direction we'll head in is anyone's guess.

I wouldn't want to dissuade you from following your dreams of being a dog trainer, but consider who will be using your services. The very people who are growing concerned about or have already lost their jobs. Dog training is one of the luxury items that would immediate be cut out of anyone's budget if they're suddenly faced with how they're going to eat and heat their home.

In my opinion, it's best to get training in some sort of trade skill that people will always need. Basic stuff we all require to live, like car repair (I drive over an hour to my diesel car mechanic, because there is no one like him near me, and most mechanics shy away from diesel cars), electrician knowledge, plumbing, etc. Perhaps engineering where you're learning how to build and maintain structures.

You could still learn dog training on the side, and if the economy levels out and you're able to make a living at it, then great! But at least you'd have a real skill to fall back on if the shit hits the fan and our economy gets a lot worse. With computers, it seems like that field is rapidly changing, and you'd have to be really involved in it steadily to stay up to date on changes in the field.

Anyway, just some more thoughts to ponder. Good luck to you!