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.
Houston, TX Job Details 16 hours ago Qualifications Companion animal handling Obedience training for pets Constructive feedback for students Behavioral therapy Full Job Description Companion Animal Training Manager Houston SPCA | Houston, Texas Join a Team Dedicated to Helping Animals and People Thrive At Houston SPCA, we believe every animal deserves compassionate care, positive experiences, and the opportunity to find a loving home. We are seeking a Companion Animal Training Manager who is passionate about animal welfare, committed to humane, science-based training practices, and motivated by developing both animals and people. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing and advancing our canine behavior and training programs, while coaching employees and volunteers to confidently and safely handle the animals in our care. The ideal candidate is an experienced trainer, educator, and collaborator who thrives in a fast-paced shelter environment and is driven by measurable outcomes that improve animal welfare and adoption success. What Success Looks Like Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to: Build trust and positive relationships with dogs of varying breeds, sizes, and behavioral histories. Develop and implement training and behavior modification plans that improve quality of life and adoption readiness. Coach, mentor, and empower staff and volunteers to apply humane handling and positive reinforcement techniques consistently. Balance compassion with accountability by providing constructive feedback and maintaining high animal care standards. Communicate effectively across departments to achieve organizational goals and support successful outcomes for animals and adopters. Remain calm, adaptable, and solution-oriented when managing challenging behaviors or rapidly changing priorities. Key Responsibilities Animal Training & Behavior Management Develop, implement, and continuously improve behavior and training protocols for shelter dogs. Conduct behavioral evaluations and assess canine temperament to determine individualized training needs. Design and execute training plans focused on obedience, enrichment, socialization, fear reduction, and behavior modification. Monitor and document behavioral progress, adjusting plans as needed to support positive outcomes. Utilize force-free, positive reinforcement methods that align with best practices in animal welfare. Staff & Volunteer Development Lead hands-on training programs for employees and volunteers on dog handling, behavior interpretation, and training techniques. Provide coaching, mentoring, and real-time feedback to increase skill, confidence, and consistency among team members. Observe interactions between staff, volunteers, and animals to ensure compliance with safety and handling protocols. Foster a culture of learning, accountability, and continuous improvement. Program Leadership & Collaboration Partner with shelter leadership to establish training priorities and support organizational objectives. Collaborate with veterinary, animal care, foster, and adoption teams to ensure behavior plans are integrated into each animal's care journey. Support adoption counseling efforts by providing behavioral insights and recommendations that promote successful matches between pets and adopters. Stay informed of current research, industry standards, and emerging trends in animal training and behavior. Documentation & Compliance Maintain accurate records of behavioral assessments, training plans, progress notes, and participation in staff and volunteer training programs. Ensure training procedures align with organizational policies, safety standards, and animal welfare best practices. Track and report program outcomes to support continuous improvement and operational effectiveness. Qualifications Required Professional experience training dogs using positive reinforcement methods. Strong knowledge of canine behavior, learning theory, and body language. Experience coaching, teaching, or mentoring adults in a professional, volunteer, or educational setting. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities. Commitment to humane, force-free training practices and animal welfare. Preferred Certification such as CPDT-KA, CPDT-KSA, CDBC, ACAAB, IAABC, or equivalent credentials. Previous experience in an animal shelter, rescue organization, veterinary setting, or animal welfare environment. Experience developing training curricula and leading group instruction. Physical Requirements & Work Environment Hands-on work with dogs of all breeds, sizes, ages, and temperaments. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and handling animals. Work is performed indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions. Exposure to animal-related odors, noise, and environmental conditions common in a shelter setting. Why Houston SPCA? This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of animals while helping build a culture of compassionate, science-based training and care. If you are passionate about animal behavior, developing people, and advancing animal welfare, we encourage you to apply. Houston SPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees, volunteers, and community members are treated with dignity and respect.
