Trail Dogs Los Angeles, CA Job Details Part-time | Contract $200 - $225 a day 21 hours ago Qualifications Companion animal handling Contractor management Outdoor work experience Pet boarding Leadership Full Job Description Trail Dogs - Los Angeles Dogs. The outdoors. No cubicle in sight. Trail Dogs is looking for an experienced Pack Manager / Lead Dog Pack Hiker to join our established dog hiking and training operation in Los Angeles. This is not an entry-level dog-walking position, and it is not a short-term position. We are looking for someone who wants to make a serious, long-term commitment to the role and become a trusted, integral part of the Trail Dogs team.
ABOUT TRAIL DOGS
Trail Dogs is an established dog hiking and training company with more than 14 years in business , a large and loyal client roster, and families who have been with us through multiple generations of dogs. We have built a long-standing reputation for structured, training-focused hiking and provide pack hiking, individual training, and boarding services throughout the West and Mid-City Los Angeles areas. You're stepping into an established operation with established clients, established systems, and dogs who are already part of a deeply developed training and hiking program—not starting from scratch.
THE ROLE
The Pack Manager / Lead Dog Pack Hiker is the senior field position within our hiking operation. You will be responsible for confidently leading the pack in the field while helping keep the day-to-day operation running smoothly. Depending on the size of the pack, you may: Lead a pack independently on lighter-volume days Work alongside an Assistant Pack Leader on larger days Safely manage approximately 10-15 dogs when appropriate Help divide and manage larger packs when an assistant is present Handle dogs with different temperaments, energy levels, and training needs Recognize and respond appropriately to behavioral or safety issues Handle new dogs and new clients with confidence Communicate with clients professionally Manage pickups, drop-offs, route information, schedules, and daily assignments Communicate operational information clearly with other contractors and the Company Problem-solve when the unexpected happens Assist with training and onboarding new contractors Help identify whether a new contractor is progressing appropriately Board dogs as assignments arise The goal is for this person to become a trusted leader in the field who can handle the day-to-day realities of the operation without needing constant direction.
THIS JOB REQUIRES RELIABILITY
This position needs to be taken seriously. Our clients and their dogs are counting on us every day. This is not a casual job where you can simply decide not to show up when something else comes up. We need someone who takes their commitments seriously, shows up consistently, communicates proactively when an unavoidable issue arises, and understands that reliability is a fundamental part of caring for people's animals. If you are looking for something temporary, occasional, or simply something to do for a few months, this is not the position for you. We are looking for someone who wants to build a long-term relationship with Trail Dogs and become someone we can genuinely depend on.
YOU You are:
An experienced dog professional with substantial hands-on experience Confident handling multiple dogs at once Comfortable managing large packs and varying dog personalities Knowledgeable about dog behavior and training Calm, observant, and capable of making good decisions under pressure A natural problem-solver Extremely reliable and responsible Professional with clients and coworkers Comfortable working independently Comfortable working as part of a team when the pack requires an assistant Physically fit and able to hike at a moderate-to-fast pace over varied terrain Comfortable working outdoors in dirt, heat, cold, rain, bugs, ticks, lizards, snakes, slobber, and everything else that comes with working with dogs in the mountains Available consistently Monday-Friday Someone who takes animal safety and responsibility seriously Looking for a long-term position , not a temporary job Professional dog experience is required. Pack-handling and/or dog-training experience is strongly preferred.
TRANSPORTATION
You must have reliable transportation with sufficient capacity to safely transport a large number of dogs.
Appropriate vehicles may include:
Mid-size or larger SUVs Compact SUVs with sufficient cargo capacity Large hatchbacks/wagons Minivans Vans Small hatchbacks, sedans, and compact vehicles without sufficient cargo space are not suitable for this position.
BOARDING
Boarding is an important part of this position. You must be able and willing to board dogs when assignments arise, either at your own home or at a client's home. Trail Dogs has an established boarding client base, so boarding is a regular part of the work available to our field team—not simply an occasional perk. Boarding is compensated separately per dog per night and is paid on top of your daily hiking compensation.
COMPENSATION
$200-$225 per day, depending on experience and demonstrated pack-handling ability. Candidates with significant professional pack experience and the ability to independently manage a large pack may start at the top of the range. When independently managing larger packs without an assistant, the daily rate may be higher based on the size and requirements of the assignment. Boarding compensation is separate and paid in addition to daily hiking compensation.
SCHEDULE
Monday-Friday Approximately 10 AM-4 PM , depending on the day's schedule. Hikes are approximately 90 minutes , plus transportation, pickups/drop-offs, and other responsibilities associated with the day's route. We work throughout the year in the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding West and Mid-City Los Angeles service areas—rain or shine, hot or cold.
THIS IS FOR YOU IF
… You don't just love dogs. You understand them. You can walk into a chaotic situation and calmly figure out what needs to happen next. You can take responsibility without needing someone standing over you. You want to work with dogs professionally, develop your leadership skills, and become an integral part of an established operation. You're looking for a place to stay, grow, and become deeply invested in—we're looking for someone who wants to become part of the Trail Dogs family—not simply someone looking for your next job. Trail Dogs has long-standing clients, long-standing dogs, and a history of people staying with us for years. We are looking for that kind of commitment in the person stepping into this role. If you're looking for a short-term position, this isn't it. If you're looking for a long-term professional home where you can become an important part of an established operation, we'd like to hear from you.
TO APPLY
Please send: Your resume A brief cover letter telling us about your professional dog experience Your experience handling multiple dogs or large packs Why you think you'd be a strong fit for this position The make/model of the vehicle you would use to transport dogs Trail Dogs is looking for someone who wants to become a trusted, long-term part of the operation.
Job Types:
Part-time, Contract Pay:
$200.00 - $225.00 per day Application Question(s): Do you live within a reasonable commuting distance of the West/Mid-City Los Angeles service area? Do you have professional experience handling multiple dogs at once, including large packs? Do you have a reliable vehicle with sufficient capacity to safely transport approximately 10-15 dogs? Please include the make/model of your vehicle. Are you available consistently Monday-Friday for the required schedule?
