About the role

If you are looking to start a career in dog training, this is a great place to begin. This is not an entry level role, you need professional experience with dogs. The role offers valuable hands-on training experience, opportunities to grow your confidence, mentoring and ongoing support as you develop your skills. It is also a great opportunity if you are looking for a long-term commitment. Permanent part time or full-time hours can be discussed with a suitable applicant.

If you are still working towards a relevant qualification or do not yet have sufficient experience to undertake the dog trainer role as determined by the business, you may be offered an initial position as a dog walker, with the opportunity to develop your skills and progress to a dog trainer as you gain experience. Pay increases are reviewed as relevant qualifications are completed.

The details:

• You will be doing group socialisation dog walks of up to three dogs, including picking them up and dropping them home after the walk.

• Dog walking

• Walk & Training sessions

• Conducting initial assessments for new clients by gathering information about their dog's history, identifying behavioural concerns, establishing training goals and developing an appropriate action plan.

• Teaching and coaching dog owners to develop the knowledge, confidence and practical skills required to train their own dogs.

• Completing administrative tasks, including responding to emails and direct messages, creating, cancelling and amending bookings, checking and processing payments, taking photos, uploading content to social media, reviewing the schedule and making changes as required.

• Assisting with marketing, including networking with local businesses, putting up flyers, helping with updating the website and newsletter, and representing the business in person at events when required.

• Quality assurance checking of all staff timing, photo quality and notes, with a weekly report to the business manager.

• Helping create content for the business including taking photos and videos with the business manager

• Helping with socialisation and training walks meeting up in the field with the head dog trainer/business manager.

• Working with other team members,



meeting up for introductions to new dogs or for group walks

• Attending team meetings and staff training

About You

You are confident and outgoing, able to meet new people and interact with them confidently, including developing relationships and managing them ongoing. You are willing to be the face of our services, with a presence on social media and our website so clients and potential clients know who you are and a bit about you.

You are fit and strong, and confident handling large dogs. We are talking about potentially reactive or pulling dogs like German Shepherds and Great Danes, not just little dogs. You need well-developed, confident handling skills to be successful in this role.

You can work independently and make independent decisions and judgements. You can problem solve on the go, manage multiple lock boxes and their quirks, and manage access instructions to dogs. You are adaptable and able to remain flexible as the role develops, with responsibilities changing in line with business needs.

You are an LGBTQIA+ ally, and your values align with this. You are also happy to work with neurodivergent people, clients or colleagues. Inclusivity is an important value of the business. You value authenticity and respect.

Essential Criteria

• Report writing skills, including training plans and reports to the business manager.

• A minimum of six months full time equivalent experience working with clients dogs.

• An understanding of dog training theories and methods.

• Knowledge of canine body language.

• Experience in a customer-facing role.

• Excellent communication skills, including discussing each dog's progress with clients, gathering feedback and helping owners work towards their training goals.

• Availability to work Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm,



and the ability to commit to consistent shifts on the same days each week, ensuring clients receive reliable, dependable support from someone who can maintain continuity in their dog's training.

• Time management skills, including the ability to time each walk appropriately so the dogs go out for their allocated time but not over it, and to manage time between clients so the schedule is kept to.

• Fitness to walk for several hours per shift. This is a very physically demanding role with very limited office-based or desk-based work, and successful applicants must be capable of being on their feet for long periods of time.

• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, including summer, winter, cold, rain and heat, and to have and use the correct PPE, including sunscreen, a hat and a rain jacket.

• Ability to follow a dress standard.

• At least a provisional driver's licence and access to a reliable car, as there are no alternative transport options available for this role. Applications cannot be considered if you do not meet both of these requirements.

• No conflicts of interest

Note-applicants who are still attending school cannot be considered for this position, because the business operates during set hours with no shifts available outside the stated operating hours.

Highly Desirable Criteria

• Certificate III in Dog Training and Behaviour or a Certificate IV in Animal Training and Behaviour.

• Experience walking and handling large dogs, including reactive dogs.

• Knowledge of Canberra, including being able to navigate around the suburbs, and knowledge of local walking locations and suitable training locations for reactive dogs.

How to Apply

Please apply through Seek with a short cover letter giving examples of your skills and experience, and stating your availability, along with your updated resume. We do not accept AI cover letters, please use your own words to be considered for this position.

Applicants are assessed as soon as they are submitted, so please get your application in as soon as possible so you don't miss out on this opportunity. Prescreening and interviews will be conducted soon, and the job advertisement will close once a suitable candidate is found.

📌 Dog Trainer (Canberra)
🏢 Paw Ventures
📍 Canberra