Two years ago Howard Hayman retired from a 34-year career at Verizon Communications Inc., traded in his suit and tie for a leash and a training collar and launched Per`fect-A-Pup LLC, where he coaches canines on how to be less aggressive, hyperactive or shy.

Hayman, 59, knew when he left his job as Verizon vice president of customer service that he wanted to stay in the working world. He still wanted to have close contact with customers, but he could do without the office politics. So he packed up his golden retriever, Kelsey, for a road trip to National K-9 Inc., a dog training center in Columbus, Ohio, where he became certified as a trainer and behaviorist.