Lisa Ronchetti and miniature dachshund Milo

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Short legs, a cold nose and the ability not to leave a puddle on the floor aren't attributes generally associated with top male models. But it's different when you're a dog.

Eight month old miniature dachshund Milo only signed up to his pet model agency in January but the pint size pooch has already starred in a video and photo campaign for Barclays Bank and appeared in the pages of the London Paper.

With possible fees of up to £100 an hour, the earning power of your pet is not to be sniffed at, as Milo's proud owner 26 year old PR manager Lisa Ronchetti is aware. But while the money is nice, it isn't everything.

"I don't want to be thought of as a pushy showbiz owner," says Lisa from North London. "But I'm so proud of him I just want everyone to see him."

Though there is an occasional call for a chameleon or cockatoo, dogs are the top earners in animal modeling. And according to Beverley Cuddy, Editor of Dogs Today magazine, Lisa could be onto a winner with Milo. Sausage dogs are hot at the moment. In fact an edition of Dogs Today earlier this year had two on the cover.

"Ads often use a token dog to add a bit of warmth," says Beverley. "Ten years ago it was usually a big shaggy one. Nowadays it's likely to be a small dog like a dachshund. You see a lot more young people with dachshunds now too. It's just their time"

Finding an agency is the first step to making your pet a star. As with human model agencies, you have to watch out for the dodgy ones. Some demand large sums of money from proud pet owners in return for a glossy portfolio and little else, warns Beverley. So be wary and use your common sense. Dogs Today magazine has its own free in-house agency.

Lisa was lucky. Whilst surfing the net for new designer duds for her dog, she discovered www.petlondon.com, the website for PetLondon Models. the central London agency run by 27 year old former lawyer Melody Lewis. Melody started the pet clothing business and agency five years ago, after getting her own dog Poppy from Battersea Dogs Home. Now Poppy is a star and the company has offices in Florida and France, nearly 500 animals on its books and supplies products to 300 stores around the UK, including Harrods.

Most of the agency's clients are dogs and cats but they do deal with more unusual pets, like iguanas. There's even a hedgehog called Spike.

"What is really important is that these are pets," says Melody. "We always talk to owners before accepting an application. We want the animals to enjoy themselves when they're working."

Applying for membership of PetLondon Models was simple. Lisa supplied photos and details about Milo and his abilities. A one off payment covered the cost of Milo's online portfolio (£19.99 for a year, £29.99 for three years) Shortly afterwards, Milo found himself on set shooting his first commercial. Though still just a puppy, he took to his new career like a pro.

"He had to walk across the studio wearing a little sandwich board, then stop and walk on," says Lisa. "It took a few takes but he did it."

Milo is undeniably a canine cutie, but training and temperament are what really count. Your dog may be the most handsome hound in town, but if he is snappy and won't do what he's told on set, his career will be over before you can say "bonio".

The basic rules are simple. Make sure you know what will be required of your pet and don't ask the dog to do more than it is capable of. Lisa and Milo did a six week training course to make sure they had the basics. Take everything you need with you too: toys, treats, basket, bowls, water and food.

As models go, Milo is quite low maintenance. Though he only eats organic dry food, his beauty routine is fairly simple. His nails are clipped occasionally and after a bath he has a tiny drop of baby oil rubbed into his coat to keep it glossy.

But, however good-looking and obedient, don't expect your dog to make you a millionaire. Though Milo earned £200 for the Barclays Bank shoot there are travel expenses involved too. Jobs often come up at short notice and you may have to take time off work.

Plus this is a highly competitive business. As Beverley Cuddy points out, "There are 6.9 million dog owners in the country, and 6.8 million of them think their dogs should be on telly."

Jasmine Birtles is from Money Magpie - the website that gives you a richer life