You may have heard the term "working dogs", usually used as a to classify dogs such as Border Collies, Huskies and Doberman Pincers.
Nowadays however, dogs of various breeds are being given some new and interesting jobs to do.

Dogs are still used to perform traditional work such as herding cattle, guarding buildings, animals or people; and pulling sleds.

Searching Dogs
Some are trained for search and rescue. You are probably familiar with these dogs, as they often are seen on TV news in reports of earthquakes and other natural disasters.

They played a huge part in the aftermath of September 11.

Search and rescue work requires many hours of training and practice. Dogs are taught to find people by the scent of their skin. They can follow an odor in the air or on the ground.

Dogs are also being used to detect certain types of cancer. Their amazing sense of smell enables them to detect cancer cells by the smell they give off. They have even found cancers that doctors and tests had missed.

This sense of smell is also employed at airports, train stations, borders and even schools. Dogs are used to detect explosives, drugs and other contraband - including fruit.

Dogs can also sniff out insects, such as termites.

Helpful Dogs
Dogs are also used as eyes, ears and limbs for people with disabilities.

They can guide a blind person down the street, alert a deaf owner of a phone call or visitor, and do things like open doors and turn on lights for people with limited mobility.

They can remind people to take their medicine, warn epileptics of impending seizures and alert heart patients if they are about to have a heart attack. They can even call 911.

Dogs in Service
They are in the army, too. Dogs, mostly German Shepherds, are used as sentries, scouts and messengers. They are taught to sniff out landmines.

Dogs and other animals are increasingly being used in hospitals and nursing homes. They provide companionship, help patients  to relax and allow them to heal quicker.

Pets are useful in emotional therapy, especially for children, improving the child's ability to participate in the therapy.

Dogs are used in special programs to help children learn to read.

They are often brought in when people have suffered a traumatic experience, such as the school shootings we hear so much about.

Put Your Own Dog to Work
Dogs are man's (and woman's too) best friend, and not just because they are such good companions. They have very special talents, and are always willing to work.

Even if you don't have a disability, or need to check your visitor's luggage for explosives, you can train you dog to do some of these jobs just for fun.

They love to have something important to do, it keeps them sharp and you can impress your friends.

Practical Dog Tricks
Try teaching your dog to turn off the lights, close a door, or find your car keys.

One of my dogs, Sunshine, knew how to find and bring my slippers or my walking shoes, and would pick up things that I had dropped. (I tried to teach her to put my husbands dirty laundry in the hamper, but she declined that task.)

Retrievers especially like to pick things up, so they are a natural for any job that involves putting something in their mouth.

German Shepherds are often used in search and rescue; they do well with any kind of scent training, as do beagles.

Observe your dog and what he likes to do, and see if you can't put it to good use.

And the next time someone says they "worked like a dog" today, ask him or her just what kind of job they do!

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