Professional Dog Handler (Pack Hikes & Adventure Daycare)

Compensation:

$100-$205+ per service day + $100 to $250 monthly incentive bonus

Location:

Austin, TX Type:

Independent Contractor About DogCentric Society DogCentric Society is not a traditional dog daycare. We specialize in structured Adventure Daycare experiences that combine supervised pack socialization, trail hikes, enrichment, and outdoor exploration for dogs throughout Austin.

Our goal is simple:

provide dogs with the exercise, structure, and social experiences they need while giving owners peace of mind that their dogs are safe, fulfilled, and cared for by experienced handlers. About The Role We are looking for a confident, reliable, professional dog handler to lead small-to-medium groups of dogs on daily Adventure Daycare outings.

This position involves:

Picking up dogs from clients' homes Safely transporting dogs in a company vehicle Managing structured pack hikes and outdoor adventures Monitoring dog behavior and pack dynamics Reinforcing basic manners and appropriate social behavior Returning dogs safely home Providing excellent communication and customer service This is a highly independent role requiring strong judgment, situational awareness, and confidence handling dogs in real-world environments. Who Thrives In This Position This role is ideal for someone who has previously worked in: Dog daycare Boarding facilities Kennels Dog training facilities Veterinary clinics Pack walking programs Animal care operations Successful candidates are: Calm under pressure Observant and proactive Comfortable managing multiple dogs simultaneously Physically active Dependable Excellent communicators Capable of working independently without constant supervision This Position Is NOT For This role is likely not a good fit if: Your only dog experience is owning family pets You are looking for casual dog walking work You are uncomfortable correcting inappropriate dog behavior You are uncomfortable managing multiple dogs at once You need constant supervision or direction You prefer primarily indoor work Minimum RequirementsRequired Minimum 1 year of professional dog handling experience Valid driver's license Clean driving record Comfortable driving a larger vehicle Ability to lift 50 pounds Ability to work outdoors year-round Reliable smartphone Strong communication skills Preferred Dog daycare experience Kennel technician experience Veterinary assistant experience Dog training experience Pack walking experience Compensation Daily Service Compensation Independent contractors are compensated based on total pack size during each scheduled service day. Pack Size Daily Compensation 1-2 Dogs $100 3-4 Dogs $115 5 Dogs $130 6 Dogs $145 7 Dogs $160 8 Dogs $175 9 Dogs $190 10 Dogs $205 Additional Performance Incentives DogCentric Society rewards reliability, professionalism, and exceptional care. In addition to daily service compensation, contractors may be eligible for additional performance-based incentives, including: Customer review and recognition bonuses Performance and accountability bonuses Safety and incident-free operation incentives Client retention and relationship bonuses Special project and operational improvement bonuses These incentives are designed to reward team members who consistently demonstrate professionalism, reliability, excellent dog handling skills, and outstanding customer service. Compensation is paid as a flat daily service rate and is not divided into separate categories such as fuel, mileage, transportation reimbursement, or hourly wages. Independent contractors are responsible for their own transportation, fuel, taxes, insurance, and contractor-related expenses. Schedule Typical service days run approximately: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Actual hours may vary based on: Pack size Pickup routes Drop-off routes Traffic conditions Operational needs Most service days are Monday through Friday.

Pay:

$100.00 - $210.00 per day

Benefits:

Flexible schedule On-the-job training Application Question(s): Do you have at least one year of

PROFESSIONAL

dog handling experience? Yes or No.. Which best describes your experience? Dog daycare Boarding kennel Veterinary clinic Dog training facility Professional pack walking Rover/Wag only Personal pets only Largest number of dogs you've managed at one time? 1-2 3-5 6-10 10+ Have you ever worked in a professional dog daycare, boarding facility, kennel, veterinary clinic, or training facility? Yes or No Briefly describe your professional dog handling experience. Ability to

Commute:

Austin, TX 78736 (Required)

Work Location:

In person