Positions at The Dog Den & The Puppy Den
If you are looking for a flexible work schedule where you are freed from the typical office routine, we may be the exact right place for you to be!
We are looking for positive, energetic, and motivated applicants to grow our daycare Playgroup Leader & Training team! No experience is necessary, we will teach you to be an expert in dog body language and behavior.
We are a top-rated locally-owned, positive reinforcement-based dog daycare and training facility with a strong emphasis on customer service, understanding canine behavior, and improving the communication between dogs and people. Providing a family-like atmosphere for both our clients and their dogs is very important to us. Our philosophy is simple: we love dogs! We love to help our clients build a better relationship with their dogs and we strive to understand the dogs in our care and help them be the best pup they can be! Daycare is an interactive play environment and carries some inherent risks, both to the dogs and to the staff. Our #1 priority at The Dog Den is the safety of our staff and our dogs. Our Playgroup Leaders play an integral role in keeping everyone safe, healthy, and happy by supervising the play and interactions of all the dogs in our care.
Dog daycare is a learned job; we are all always learning from each other as team members, AND from the dogs! Experiencing daycare and training classes first-hand is the best way to learn and to become comfortable with many types of behaviors you will experience on the job. You will not be expected to be able to perform any of the following job duties without going through a training program first, however, upon completion of that training program, you must meet the Playgroup Leader job responsibilities outlined below.
Work Hours:
We are currently hiring for part-time and full-time help. Playgroup Leader daycare shifts typically run between the following hours: M-F 6:00am-12:30pm and 12:00pm-6:30pm. Full-time applicants must be available both morning and afternoons. Training classes are held on nights and weekends. We are looking for applicants who are willing to work both daycare AND training class hours.
Wage:
The position starts at $13.00 per hour during the training period with several opportunities for immediate advancement upon completion of training. After the initial training period, there is a 4-7% pay increase. Advances don’t stop there, and motivated individuals will receive close to a 25% per hour increase within 6 months and over 40% per hour increase within 1 year. All employees receive annual raises.
Benefits:
Paid holidays
Discounted services
Paid vacation
401K with company match
Paid training and continuing education
A flexible work schedule
Ample advancement opportunities
Adorable dogs and a fun work environment
Job Requirements:
A love for not only dogs, but also their people
Passionate about being part of a team that provides great customer service
Strong written and verbal skills with good attention to detail
Patience with both animals and humans
Enjoy learning and also passing along your knowledge to others
Comfortable in a fast-paced, active job
Ability to be flexible and to switch between tasks quickly and effectively
Ability to supervise dog playgroups while being aware of various play styles, ensuring that all dogs are safe, stress-free, and are having fun
Ability to maintain a safe & clean space for the dogs by watching for, picking up, and properly disposing of any waste
Desire to work with dog behavior to improve the lives of dogs
Upon completion of the training program, the ability to recognize possible canine behavior issues and ability to be proactive to help improve these behaviors in order to maintain the safety & happiness of dog packs
Meet all of the physical requirements listed below
Physical Requirements:
Ability to stand and walk for 6+ hours a day
Ability to repeatedly bend & pick things up
Ability to handle several dogs in one pack at a time, memorize dog names & defining features
Ability to move quickly in response to the dogs
Ability to tolerate different weather changes that are typical for the region (snow, rain, humidity, etc.)
Ability to lift 50lbs
Job Responsibilities:
Group Management
Ensure safe play
Constant monitoring of the dogs
Engage dogs in safe play
Pet, brush, and talk to the dogs
Take dogs outside several times per shift, regardless of the weather
Praise dogs for good behavior, help to modify unwanted behavior
Know the names of all the regular dogs as well as their play styles
Know all the names of all the dogs within your care for that given day
Cleaning
Attend to accidents inside immediately
Follow provided cleaning lists for daily tasks that need to be completed
Work on varied cleaning and extra tasks as needed or assigned
Maintain and improve the general look, atmosphere of the building.
Customer Service
Greet all clients politely and professionally as soon as you see them (inside or outside)
Speak honestly but tactfully regarding dog’s behavior and health while in our care, choosing to be kind and unjudgmental
Provide clients with information on additional services available at The Dog Den, including group classes, playgroups, and private lessons
Answer phone calls professionally and knowledgeably
Write detailed report cards regarding dog behavior, health, playmates, etc.
We are a small business and therefore require assistance with the following tasks from our Playgroup Leaders:
Assisting with special projects (taking photos of the dogs, doggie art, etc.)
Assisting with basic grooming such as nail trims and ear/eye cleaning
Representing the Dog Den at community events on occasion, weekends and holidays may be required
If this sounds like a position made for you, please click below to apply. We would love to hear from you soon!