Here are some pointers from me:
1. POST PROCESSING: A little less on the post processing. Additionally, when needed keep your post processing to a minimum. I am not a fan of the artificial lens blur, gaussian blur effects (not to extremes anyhow). The selective coloring images are fun to play around with, but not as a hand off to a potential clients - they tend to look really unprofessional. Rarely does it work effectively when done by pro's.
2. CROPPING: You should practice getting "the shot" by manually cropping your image by moving and positioning yourself rather than doing it in some paint program. Some of your crops don't work too well. Look at animal photography books and see what elements are included and what can be excluded. Finding your photographic eye is probably the most challenging task. (I haven't found mine yet either).
3. POINT OF VIEW: Try getting as close to eye level or below eye level for your subjects (hero shots work well for pets). Your working with pets, that means you need to really get down low or prop them up somehow for a better point of view. Your best set are the ones of the great danes. Surprise surprise, they are large and tall. A much better perspective makes a great deal of a difference.
4. EQUIPMENT: Get a decent camera. Amazing things can be shot with just an entry level DSLR these days. The rebel works well, and the kit lens is decent. Next, save up for a better portrait lens, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 goes for $80 and the better step-up Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 goes for about $350. With minimal to no lighting setups, the fast lens will help you out a lot with available light. Some people say it's not the equipment that makes a photographer. That is partly true. But a great photographer is limited by the equipment he uses. Your equipment will help you achieve better results without relying on post processing and creating artificial bokeh effects that your are going for.
4. TELL A STORY: Perhaps think about showing your subjects in their environment. Are they hunting dogs? do they live on a farm with a bunch of animals? Perhaps they have a litter or puppies. Are they seeing eye dogs? or hospital dogs? Try to portray their life through what you capture. Sometimes it' natural to say "let's go outside on the grass - it's nice out" without thinking that this particular dog is an indoor dog that has a crazy obsession with grandpa's lounger. Capturing this lil mutt on the lounger will create a lasting memory for the owner. Ask the owner about their habits, what they love or hate, favorite toys, furniture, pesky leather shoe - etc. and work from there.
4. LEARN MORE: join
www.photo.net and ask your questions there. It's a better forum for your needs as it relates to photography.
GOODLUCK!
Nate
