Dog jobs in Retford

We’re a small residential dog training business looking for a reliable, practical person to help with the daily care of our dogs.

You’ll be working around a variety of breeds and temperaments, including large, powerful dogs, high-drive working dogs and dogs undergoing training for reactivity and other behavioural challenges.

This is a hands-on role combining kennel duties with opportunities to shadow training sessions and develop your handling skills under supervision. Daily care and cleaning are the main responsibilities.

Your responsibilities

• Cleaning dog areas and equipment.
• Changing bedding and managing laundry.
• Preparing meals and providing fresh water.
• Helping with exercise and enrichment as instructed.
• Keeping supplies and equipment organised.
• Reporting changes in a dog’s health or behaviour promptly.
• Following individual care plans, handling instructions and welfare procedures.

Learning opportunities

During paid working hours, you’ll have opportunities to observe training sessions and learn about dog behaviour, engagement, safe handling and working with high-drive dogs.

Practical involvement will depend on your experience and demonstrated ability. You won’t be expected to handle challenging dogs independently before being assessed as competent to do so.

We use a balanced training approach, including rewards, clear boundaries and appropriate training tools. Applicants should be comfortable working in this environment and following our procedures.

This is a paid entry-level position with on-the-job learning, rather than a formal apprenticeship or accredited qualification.

About you

You’ll need to be:

• Reliable, punctual and willing to learn.
• Calm, patient and attentive around dogs.
• Comfortable working in an environment with barking, excitable dogs and strong breeds.
• Interested in dog behaviour and training, including high-drive working dogs.
• Happy carrying out cleaning and practical tasks, including outdoors.
• Able to follow instructions carefully, respect safety procedures and ask for help.
• Able to travel reliably to our location for the agreed shifts.

Previous experience with working breeds, kennels or animal care would be helpful, but is not essential. Training and supervision will be provided.

Pay: £12.71 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 10.0 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Employee mentoring programme
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person