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.
Madison, CT You know dogs. Like, really know dogs. You can tell the difference between an excited dog and an overstimulated one. You know that the 90-pound sweetheart who "just pulls a little" may require a bit more strategy than enthusiasm. You've handled shy dogs, strong dogs, energetic dogs, stubborn dogs, nervous dogs and probably at least one dog who was absolutely convinced that squirrel needed to be chased. If that sounds familiar, we'd like to meet you. We Let the Dogs Out is an established professional pet care company serving the Connecticut shoreline. For more than 11 years, our clients have trusted us with something incredibly important: the care, safety and happiness of their pets. We're currently looking for an experienced Dog Walker & Pet Care Professional to join our team in the Madison, CT area. And while loving animals is important, we're specifically looking for someone who brings substantial hands-on experience with dogs. Professional experience in pet care, dog walking, veterinary care, shelters/rescues, boarding/daycare, grooming or dog training is strongly preferred. This Might Be Your Kind of Job If… You're the person friends call when they need someone who actually knows how to handle their dog. You're comfortable reading canine body language and adjusting your approach to the dog in front of you. A big, energetic dog doesn't intimidate you. You understand that great pet care is equal parts affection, judgment, consistency and responsibility. And when someone trusts you with their pet and their home, you take that responsibility seriously. If you're nodding along, keep reading… What Your Days Will Look Like You'll spend your weekdays traveling between clients in the Madison shoreline area, providing professional care to dogs, cats, and other pets.
That includes:
Walking dogs safely and confidently in all kinds of Connecticut weather Handling dogs of different sizes, breeds, temperaments and energy levels Reading canine behavior and responding appropriately when situations change Providing exercise, enrichment, play, and lots of appropriate affection Caring for cats and small animals, including litter and cage cleanup Following detailed feeding, medication, behavioral, and household instructions Cleaning up after pets and leaving clients' homes exactly as they should be Using our mobile apps for scheduling, communication and visit reports Driving between visits in your own reliable vehicle Occasionally transporting dogs safely in your vehicle Communicating professionally with clients and your WLTDO team Most importantly, you'll be trusted to make good decisions when nobody is standing over your shoulder. The Dog Experience We're Looking For You do not need to be a professional dog trainer. But you do need meaningful, hands-on experience working with dogs. We're especially interested in candidates with experience in: Professional dog walking or pet sitting Veterinary hospitals or clinics Dog daycare or boarding facilities Animal shelters or rescues Dog training Grooming or other professional animal-care environments Strong personal experience may also qualify if you've regularly handled a variety of dogs, not just your own family pet.
You should be comfortable with:
Large and strong dogs High-energy dogs Shy or cautious dogs Dogs that pull on leash Managing distractions during walks Recognizing basic canine body language Adjusting your handling style based on the individual dog Knowing when a dog needs encouragement, space, structure, or a change of plan is a big part of doing this job well. Who Thrives at We Let the Dogs Out? Our best team members tend to have a few things in common. They show up. Pets don't understand call-outs or scheduling problems. Reliability matters enormously in this business. They pay attention. A gate that didn't latch properly, a dog behaving differently than usual, or a medication instruction that changed yesterday all matter. They stay calm. Dogs are wonderfully unpredictable. We want people who can think clearly and make good decisions when something unexpected happens. They take ownership. You'll work independently for much of the day, but you'll never be operating without support. They communicate. Clients want to know their pets are safe and happy, and our team depends on good communication to provide consistently excellent care. And yes…they genuinely love animals. That part is pretty important too. What You Can Expect From Us Professional pet care should feel professional for the people doing it, too. At We Let the Dogs Out, you're not simply handed a leash and wished good luck. You'll have training, systems, communication and a team behind you.
We offer:
Starting pay of $18.50/hour Tips and bonus opportunities Paid training Paid sick time Paid time off 401(k) Employee discounts Referral program Professional development assistance Ongoing support from an established local team Opportunities for growth and advancement The Practical Stuff To be considered, you'll need: Significant hands-on experience with dogs A genuine love for both dogs and cats Confidence handling dogs of varying sizes, temperaments, and energy levels Strong time-management skills and personal accountability Physical stamina for multiple walks each day in year-round weather Ability to occasionally assist or support large dogs physically A reliable vehicle Valid driver's license, registration, and insurance Willingness to safely transport dogs when required Comfort using mobile scheduling, communication, and reporting apps Availability for a consistent, full-time weekday schedule Pet CPR / First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain it shortly after hire One Last Thing There are plenty of jobs where being five minutes late doesn't really matter. This isn't one of them. There are also plenty of jobs where nobody notices the small things. This isn't one of those either. Our clients trust us with their pets, their homes and their peace of mind. We take that trust seriously, and we want teammates who do too. In return, we work hard to create a company where great pet care professionals are trained, supported, appreciated and given room to grow. So, if you have real dog experience, take pride in being someone others can count on, and would rather spend your workday with four-legged coworkers… Come join our pack. We'd love to meet you.
Pay:
From $18.50 per hour
Benefits:
401(k) Employee discount Flexible schedule On-the-job training Paid time off Paid training
