Dog jobs in Thornton Heath

Surrey Dog School & Daycare is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Driver & Daycare Assistant to join our team in Walton-on-Thames.

This is a full-time, permanent position working 32.5 hours per week, Tuesday to Friday, combining our daycare collection and drop-off service with hands-on work within our dog daycare.

We are a training-focused daycare, so our days involve much more than simply supervising dogs at play. We focus on appropriate socialisation, training, enrichment, rest and individual care, and we're looking for someone who genuinely cares about canine welfare and enjoys working with dogs.

The successful applicant will have previous professional experience working with dogs and be confident handling a variety of breeds, sizes and personalities.

Our collection and drop-off service currently covers Walton-on-Thames, Weybridge, Molesey, Esher and Hersham. Our company vehicle is equipped with heating and air conditioning for the dogs.

Hours: Tuesday–Thursday 9am–6pm and Friday 9am–4pm
Salary: £13.50–£14.75 per hour, depending on experience
Location: Walton-on-Thames

Duties & Responsibilities

• Safely collect and return daycare dogs using our company vehicle.
• Supervise dogs within the daycare and actively monitor their interactions and body language.
• Provide appropriate training, enrichment and structured activities throughout the day.
• Support appropriate play and social interaction between dogs.
• Recognise when dogs need rest, space or intervention and respond appropriately.
• Exercise dogs both on and off site as required.
• Handle dogs of different breeds, sizes, ages and temperaments confidently and safely.
• Feed dogs and administer routine care where required.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the daycare and vehicles.
• Clean up after dogs as part of the normal day-to-day role.
• Follow individual care instructions and our daycare procedures.
• Communicate effectively with the rest of the team regarding dogs' behaviour, welfare and any concerns.
• Help maintain a safe, calm and positive environment for every dog in our care.

This is a physically active role involving working both indoors and outdoors in all seasons and being on your feet for much of the working day.

Requirements

Essential:

• Must be over 25 for our vehicle insurance requirements.
• Full UK manual driving licence.
• Previous professional experience working with dogs.
• Confident handling dogs of different breeds, sizes and personalities.
• A good understanding of canine welfare and body language.
• Able to work the full contracted hours Tuesday to Friday.
• Reliable, punctual and responsible.
• Calm and confident when working around groups of dogs.
• Comfortable driving a van and transporting dogs safely.
• Able to work independently when required as well as being part of a team.
• Physically able to undertake an active, hands-on role.
• Willing to clean and carry out all practical aspects of working in a dog daycare.

Desirable:

Professional qualifications relating to dogs or animal care, previous daycare or group-dog experience, experience in dog training/behaviour, dog walking, kennels, veterinary care, hydrotherapy or similar, and previous experience driving a van would all be advantageous.

Most importantly, we're looking for someone who genuinely enjoys working with dogs, puts their welfare first and wants to continue learning and developing their skills within a professional canine environment.

Pay: £22,815.00-£24,927.50 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person