Dog Trainer

Job Purpose
Dog training is a career that combines knowledge of animal behavior with practical teaching skills. Patience, consistency, and excellent communication skills (both verbal and nonverbal) help a trainer to effectively teach their canine and human clients. Dog Trainers help dog owners train their dogs.

A few of the main duties of a our dog trainers are identifying problem behaviors, teaching the owner methods to train their dog, developing a long-term plan to help control the dog, and creating a welcoming environment. They also have to understand the owner and dog's needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Our Dog Trainer's responsibilities include evaluating dogs' dispositions and temperaments, providing regular progress updates to clients, and teaching clients how to reinforce good behavior. You should also be able to answer clients' questions regarding training, behavioral issues, boarding, and pricing.

This job generally requires the ability to do the following work:

• Operant conditioning
• Positive reinforcement
• Clicker training
• Hand signals
• Voice commands
• Reward systems

Our trainers use the above techniques to teach new or improved behavior. They will also examine the progress of the dog and advise owners on how best to reinforce these teaching methods at home. You will need to be sensitive to the needs of the owner and be able to make them aware of the important role they play in the ongoing training of their dog.

Daily Duties & Responsibilities Include:

Working w/Dogs:

• Learning and recognizing dog behaviors

• Working individually to accomplish tasks with dogs in real life situations away from the facility

• Working as a team and accomplishing goals through consistent training and communication

• Putting on and taking off collars and leashes

• Properly attaching and charging GPS collars for dogs

• Feeding dogs according to respective schedules

• Taking the dogs outside to use the bathroom multiple times per day

• Giving medication to dogs as instructed

• Bathing dogs when necessary

• Updating clients on their dog’s progress in a timely manner set forth by the company

• Ensuring dogs are secured when unsupervised

Customer Interaction:

• Working one on one with individual owners and their dogs in private lessons

• Updating clients on their dog’s progress in a timely manner set forth by the company policy (Board and Trains)

• Helping and participating in events, shows, or other marketing campaigns as an OLK9 employee

• Scheduling appointments appropriately as outlined in the standard operating procedures

• Interacting and engaging with clients/potential clients via phone, email, and/or messaging, in a timely and professional manner

Administrative tasks:

• Inventory cleaning supplies, e-collars, leashes, medical supplies, contact points

• Closing facility at the end of the day. Setting the alarm system appropriately and ensuring all areas are secured

• Maintaining accountability of assigned equipment

• Maintain log book for medicine

• Maintain log book for food

• Using computers, phones, cameras and other technology to document individual dog progress

• Learning, implementing and reinforcing training methods taught by Off-Leash K9 Training

• Read and understand policies set forth by Off-Leash K9 Training - Colorado

• Filling out Information sheets, contracts, payment forms, cancellation forms thoroughly

Facility Maintenance:

• Cleaning up immediately after any dog messes

• Cleaning and sanitizing dog kennels, the kennel room and training rooms

• Cleaning and sanitizing equipment throughout the facility

• Cleaning up common areas including: Bathrooms, Consultation desks, office, trash, maintenance closets etc.

Qualifications include:

• A passion for dogs
• A high level of customer service
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients
• Ability to work well with any type of dog
• Professionalism with clients and coworkers
• Reliable and Dependable
• Confidence in your ability to train and communicate with dogs, clients, and co-workers
• A positive attitude
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision
• A willingness to learn
• Ability to multitask by working with several different dogs
• Patience and understanding
• An ability to use and understand computers, phones, and cameras
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• High School diploma or GED equivalent

Working Conditions

Dog trainers work independently or in collaboration with other dog trainers. Trainers work from our facilities, local parks, various storefronts, and occasionally at a Clients home.

Due to overnight services, Dog trainers work flexible hours to suit their clients' and dog needs. This includes working nights, weekends, and holidays, as necessary.

Working with dogs is a messy business. It is guaranteed that you will have to clean up after the dogs. Working outside is a must and you will experience muddy pups, wet and dirty paws, drool, and excrement. Almost daily, your hands and clothes will get dirty.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $15.00 - $25.00 per hour