Dogs have been surrounded by dog all of my life and have been solely respomsible for my own dogs for over 35 years. I also believe the following skills are needed when caring for own or other peoples dogs: * the ability to handle and train dogs * the ability to interact with the animal to recognise behavioral signals and needs * knowledge of the animal's grooming and healthcare needs. Additionally, dogs require you to have certain personality traits including patience, thoughtfulness, conscientiousness, and the ability to interact and communicate dog owners. You need to have an interest in ongoing education to understand the characteristics and needs of the various dog breeds. Specific Skills Necessary to Work With Dogs: Basic Dog Handling and Training Skills Basic Obedience Positive Reinforcement Techniques Reward Systems Handling Dogs With Clicker Training Voice Commands Persuasiveness Handle Stressful Situations Well