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Pawparazzi Pet Resort
Senior Pack Leader (Pet Resort)
Career Insights for Animal Trainer
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What they do
An Animal Trainer trains animals to become familiar with human voices and contact, and to respond to commands. Trains dogs to assist people with disabilities. May train animals for a health, competition, or show. May train other animals such as horses, dolphins, and apes.
$44,963 / year median in California
+5% projected growth
Job Description
Senior Pack Leader Canine Behavior, Temperament & Training Specialist Part-Time | Pawparazzi Pet Resort | Chatsworth, CA About the Role Pawparazzi Pet Resort is looking for an experienced, confident, and compassionate canine professional to join our team as a Senior Pack Leader. This is a specialized, hands-on position focused primarily on conducting temperament tests for new clients, safely introducing dogs into our daycare program, and helping develop the skills of our existing Pack Leader team. For the right candidate, there may also be an opportunity to provide private dog training lessons to Pawparazzi clients onsite, allowing you to expand your training experience while working with an established client base. We are looking for someone who truly understands canine body language and group dynamics, can confidently handle dogs of all breeds and sizes, and enjoys teaching both dog owners and other dog handlers. Although this is not a management position, you will serve as an experienced canine resource and mentor for our Pack Leaders while working alongside our Management Team. This is a part-time position, making it a great opportunity for a professional dog trainer who would like consistent morning hours while continuing to operate or train through their own business outside of Pawparazzi. What You'll Do Conduct New Client Temperament Tests You will be one of the first members of our team that new clients and their dogs meet.
You will:
Meet with new clients and create a welcoming, professional first impression of Pawparazzi Pet Resort Review relevant information about each dog's behavior, social history, and daycare experience Conduct structured temperament evaluations using Pawparazzi's established testing protocols Assess canine body language, confidence, play style, communication, boundaries, arousal levels, and overall suitability for group play Safely introduce dogs to appropriate daycare groups alongside the group's Pack Leader Observe how dogs respond to the environment, handlers, and other dogs Determine whether a dog is appropriate for daycare group play based on our established safety standards Clearly and compassionately communicate results to pet parents Help recommend appropriate Pawparazzi services when traditional daycare may not be the best fit for a particular dog Support & Develop Our Pack Leaders Our Pack Leaders already complete a comprehensive training program. Your role is to help them continue building upon those skills through hands-on coaching and real-world experience.You will:
Observe Pack Leaders managing groups of up to 15 off-leash dogs Coach team members on canine body language, group management, positioning, redirection, and safe intervention Help Pack Leaders recognize subtle behaviors before they escalate Encourage confident, calm, and proactive dog handling Provide constructive feedback with a positive, coaching-focused approach Reinforce Pawparazzi's existing training standards and safety protocols Help newer Pack Leaders develop confidence while continuing to challenge experienced Pack Leaders to grow Lead by example and demonstrate excellent dog handling at all times Potential Private Dog Training Opportunities For candidates with professional dog training experience, this position may also provide the opportunity to conduct private training lessons with Pawparazzi clients onsite at our facility. Depending on experience, availability, and client demand, opportunities may include: One-on-one private training sessions Puppy and foundational obedience training Basic manners and household skills Leash walking and handler communication Confidence-building exercises Behavior-focused training within the trainer's professional scope and experience Helping pet parents better understand and communicate with their dogs Developing ongoing training plans and recommendations for Pawparazzi clients This portion of the role has the potential to grow as we expand our training services and would be structured based on the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate. Outside Training Business & Client Boundaries We welcome candidates who currently operate their own dog training business or independently train private clients. We believe this position can complement an existing training career. Because this role provides direct access to Pawparazzi clients, client information, and new-client relationships, clear professional boundaries are essential and will be clearly communicated before an official offer is made. Who We're Looking For Our ideal candidate has significant professional experience working directly with dogs and a strong understanding of canine behavior.You should be:
Highly knowledgeable in canine body language and behavior Experienced safely handling dogs of different breeds, sizes, temperaments, and energy levels Comfortable assessing dogs for off-leash social play Confident managing and evaluating group dog dynamics Calm and decisive when canine behavior changes quickly Comfortable communicating directly with pet parents Able to explain behavioral observations in a professional, educational, and compassionate way An excellent teacher who enjoys helping other dog handlers improve Positive, encouraging, and approachable while still holding high safety standards Physically capable of working on your feet and safely handling large, strong dogs Reliable, punctual, professional, and team-oriented Able to maintain appropriate professional boundaries between Pawparazzi clients and any outside training business Professional dog training experience is strongly preferred, particularly for candidates interested in providing private lessons to Pawparazzi clients. Experience in dog daycare, boarding, training facilities, or other professional canine settings is highly valued.Schedule:
Part-Time We are currently considering a consistent morning schedule such as: Monday through Friday OR Tuesday through Friday Approximately 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Final days and hours are TBD and may be adjusted based on the right candidate and business needs. Additional private training appointments may potentially be scheduled outside of these core hours depending on client demand, trainer availability, and the final structure of our training program. We specifically envision this role working well for an established or developing professional dog trainer who would like consistent part-time hours while continuing to train clients through their own company. Why Pawparazzi? At Pawparazzi Pet Resort, our mission is to enrich the lives of pets and their families through every service we offer. We believe great dog daycare is about much more than simply putting dogs together in a room. Safe group play requires knowledgeable handlers who understand canine communication, actively manage their groups, recognize changes in behavior, and continually develop their skills. Our daycare groups are intentionally structured at approximately 15 dogs per Pack Leader, allowing our team to actively supervise and engage with the dogs in their care. We also recognize that daycare is not right for every dog. Our temperament testing process allows us to evaluate dogs individually and determine whether our group-play environment is truly a good fit. Most importantly, we believe genuine care changes everything. We're looking for someone who shares that philosophy and wants to help us continue developing an exceptional team of canine professionals while helping Pawparazzi families build even stronger relationships with their dogs. If you're an experienced dog trainer or canine behavior professional who loves working with dogs, enjoys developing other handlers, and wants a consistent part-time position that can complement your own training business, we'd love to meet you.Pay:
From $22.00 per hour Expected hours: 16.0 - 20.0 per weekBenefits:
Employee discount On-the-job training Opportunities for advancement Paid training Professional development assistance Referral program Retirement plan Application Question(s): How many years of professional experience do you have working hands-on with dogs, including assessing canine body language, behavior, and/or managing groups of off-leash dogs? Less than 1 year 1-2 years 3-5 years 5+ years Please briefly describe your professional experience conducting canine temperament evaluations, introducing dogs into group play, and/or professionally training dogs? What is your weekly availability?Experience:
Dog training: 2 years (Required) Dog handling: 3 years (Required)Language:
English (Required) Shift availability: Day Shift (Required)Work Location:
In personBenefits
- Professional Development
- Dental Insurance
- Other Retirement and Savings
- Discounts/Reimbursements