If you have a trainable dog who needs more challenge than the life of a house pet, think about giving your dog some work to do.

Dogs, alas, will not head off on the subway and punch in at the office. Their work means you work too! Working dogs and their handlers can learn new skills together, whether they're competing in sports, comforting the disabled or patrolling the streets.

Start by taking a basic obedience class with your dog, to teach commands like "Sit," "Stay," "Down" and "Come." After that, you can continue training and seek the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen certification, which indicates that your dog can handle itself in public and stay focused on a task amid distractions.

The rest is up to you! Agility training will hone your dog's athleticism and competitive drive. Therapy training will bring you both into contact with people who need and value a furry friend. Whatever job you and your dog decide to do, you'll find yourselves better friends than ever.