About the role
This is a permanent full time position combining hands-on dog training with training operations, team development and rostered work within our pet retreat facilities.

The role is primarily based at Hedgegrove Pet Retreat in Golden Grove, with occasional work at Windamere Pet Retreat in Clarendon.

For the right person, this role offers genuine scope to help shape the future development of Canine Connect, including new services, trainer development, improved systems and broader training operations.

Key responsibilities

Deliver private training appointments, Board & Train programs, Day School, group training classes, Puppy School, social walks and workshops

Provide training sessions for boarding guests

Work with behavioural and more complex cases, depending on experience

Manage client follow-up and ongoing training programs

Develop new classes and training services

Improve utilisation of existing services

Help develop junior and emerging trainers

Improve training systems and processes

Contribute ideas to the ongoing development and growth of Canine Connect

Support the development of training services across both locations

Undertake rostered work within pet retreat operations

Provide senior support to the kennel team when rostered, depending on experience

About you

Proven professional dog-training experience

Ability to work independently with both dogs and clients

Experience beyond basic obedience

Calm and professional communication style

Comfortable working with a wide variety of dogs and behavioural presentations





Reliable and able to work with a high level of accountability

Interested in continuing to develop your technical skills

Enjoy working as part of a broader team

Interested in helping develop other trainers

Comfortable undertaking kennel work as part of the full-time position

Open to contributing ideas and helping improve services and operations

Comfortable with some weekend and evening work where required

Formal dog-training qualifications are highly regarded, but practical experience, technical ability and role fit will also be important.

Management experience is desirable but not essential. We are more interested in someone who can demonstrate initiative, reliability, sound judgement and the ability to help develop a strong training team.

About us
Canine Connect operates alongside Canine Resorts, with its primary training base at Hedgegrove Pet Retreat in Golden Grove and additional services delivered through Windamere Pet Retreat in Clarendon.

We have an established client base, existing training programs, boarding cross-referrals, two pet retreat locations and significant opportunity for further growth.

This is not simply a vacancy for someone to inherit an appointment book. We are looking for someone who wants a long-term role where they can combine hands-on dog training with the opportunity to help develop services, systems and other trainers.

The successful applicant will work alongside our existing training team and senior management, with genuine scope to influence how Canine Connect develops over time.

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📌 Senior Dog Trainer / Development Lead (South Australia)
🏢 Important Company of the Sector
📍 South Australia