Dog Trainer - Female

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and compassionate dog trainer to join a private household team, providing professional training and behaviour support for family dogs and guest animals. The successful candidate will deliver bespoke training programmes, focusing on obedience, manners, socialisation, and problem behaviours, while working closely with household staff and pet carers. This role requires patience, excellent animal handling skills, sound understanding of canine behaviour, and a respectful, discreet approach suitable for a private residence.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and deliver tailored training programmes for dogs of all ages and breeds, including basic obedience (sit, stay, recall), loose-lead walking, and advanced commands as required by the employer.

• Assess canine behaviour and temperament, identify triggers for unwanted behaviours (e.g. aggression, separation anxiety, excessive barking), and implement positive, evidence-based behaviour modification strategies.

• Provide one-to-one and group training sessions for family members and household staff, teaching handling techniques, cue consistency, reward systems and safe management routines.

• Develop structured socialisation plans for puppies and newly introduced dogs to ensure confident, well-adjusted behaviour around people, other animals and household environments.

• Prepare concise training plans, progress reports and written guidance for the employer and household team, including step-by-step instructions for daily reinforcement and follow-up.

• Support day-to-day care of dogs when required, including supervised exercise, enrichment activities, grooming assistance and monitoring of health or welfare concerns; liaise with veterinary professionals as necessary.

• Maintain safe handling practices at all times, ensuring the wellbeing of dogs, family members and guests; use humane, reward-based methods and avoid aversive techniques.

• Assist with transport of dogs to external appointments (veterinary visits, grooming, training classes) when required and ensure secure, compliant travel arrangements.

• Manage, store and maintain training equipment, toys and supplies; report when replenishment is required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of 2 years’ hands-on experience in dog training, behaviour consultation, or a related role within private households, kennels or professional training settings.

• Proven knowledge of positive reinforcement, reward-based training methods, and up-to-date understanding of canine ethology and learning theory.

• Experience with behaviour modification for common issues such as reactivity, separation anxiety, resource guarding and fear-based responses.

• Good observational and report-writing skills, with the ability to produce clear training plans

• Calm, patient and confident manner when working with dogs and people; able to remain composed in challenging situations.

• Highly observant, detail-oriented and reliable with strong time-management skills.

• Excellent communication skills, able to teach and coach household members and staff in a clear, supportive way.

• Discreet and professional, maintaining confidentiality and respect for the private household at all times.

• Physically fit and able to handle dogs of varying sizes and temperaments, including lifting and moderate physical activity.