Jobs for Kids Dealing With Dogs

For children that enjoy working with animals, caring for a dog can be a fun and rewarding experience. Getting paid to do something they enjoy doing is a basic truth in the teaching of work and life skills that they will carry with them into adulthood. Job opportunities for kids that deal with dogs are available in business establishments as well as private homes.

  1. Animal Shelters

    • Your local animal shelter should be the first place to check for jobs. After school and on weekends are great times for kids to learn to care for dogs. Cleaning out their living quarters or walking them are simple jobs that kids can handle. State and local governments may have regulations for the minimum age of workers or the types of chores they are allowed to do. The animal shelter will know these rules and which ones apply to young workers.

    Dog Grooming Businesses

    • Dog grooming businesses are another option for jobs for kids. These dogs must be cared for while they are with the groomer. The dogs need to be brought from one area of the facility to another, and their quarters must also be maintained. This is an excellent opportunity for the child to observe the grooming skills necessary for the dogs' care. It will give the child who wants to become a veterinarian a background in animal care.

    Pet Shops

    • Some pet shops have dogs that need to be cared for. Feeding, watering and daily walks can be easily performed by a child. Precautions should be taken to ensure that the child only cares for dogs that are safe and ones that the child can control. The pet shop must also follow any local ordinances or state laws regarding the age of the worker and the types of jobs they are allowed to do. There may also be regulations pertaining to the number of hours and the times that they are allowed to work.

    Opportunities with Neighborhood Dog Owners

    • Kids can walk dogs in their own neighborhoods. The dog owner may want someone to walk her dog or take it to a dog park for exercise. The dog that a child handles should be well behaved so the child can be in control at all times. An older child may be comfortable with more than one dog whereas a younger child should not be allowed to walk a large dog that could potentially drag him down the street.