If you're good at teaching your dog tricks, or know exactly how shoes should look like, you could be in demand as a professional.

Pet training and shoe design were on the list of 12 new professions released by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security yesterday in Beijing.

The others include tyre repairer, brand promotion manager, medical facility maintainer, seed processing evaluator, customs broker, cultural activity consultant, real estate broker and wine maker.

But clearly, it was the job of pet trainer that piqued the interest of many residents in the capital.

"If the pay is reasonable, I will have a try," said Ding Su, a young woman who once raised an Angora rabbit. "I love pets. Furthermore, I will feel satisfied if I see a dog I trained obeys orders."

But Yang Jie, who has had a chinchilla for nearly two years, wasn't as excited, perhaps aware that she doesn't have the right credentials.

"I wouldn't choose pet training as a profession because I know I don't have the patience," Yang said. "I tried to train my chinchilla to hold a small stick, but I gave up after a few times."

As the pet population exploded in the country the number is estimated to have reached 100 million so has the number of pets which are a nuisance to owners and others.

"There is no proper system for training pets, which has resulted in many untrained people trying their hand at it," said Liu Kang, deputy director of the ministry's training and employment department.

"It is urgent to set standards for the profession to meet the strong demand and solve social problems caused by pets."

Liu estimated that the market could reach tens of billions of yuan.

"It will be a booming industry, and training pets will be a lucrative profession," Liu said.

"New professions are like a barometer of economic, social, scientific and technological development," Liu said.

"For example, wine makers, shoe designers and real estate brokers are needed to meet the demands of a changing and affluent lifestyle. Occupations such as brand promotion manager and customs broker will help the country strengthen its international competitiveness."

The country has set standards for 76 new professions since 2004.

Source: China Daily