Puppy Counselor position available at Top Dog SF in San Francisco!

Top Dog SF is one of the Bay Area's leading professional dog training and walking companies. Our training methods are a modern, science based using positive reinforcement techniques. At Top Dog SF, we are proud to be locally owned and operated, committed to developing our employees, promoting from within, and always striving to improve our services.

Since 2004, we have offered an award-winning pet care service, exercising and training dogs while teaching owners how to have a well-rounded confident urban dog. 

We are currently hiring a Puppy Counselor position within our unique, customized and growing Puppy Head Start Program. Puppy Head Start promotes early learning of critical foundational skills for puppies between 2-4 months that supports the comprehensive development for puppies. We cover the basics of training and help establish play and social skills. Puppy Head Start provides essential skills and prepares puppies for life both in the home and in public settings.

This is an amazing opportunity for an individual looking to learn more about animal behavior, development and training. Previous dog experience ideal, but not required as we’ll train you. The puppy counselor position is ideal for someone getting started in the growing pet care industry.

The Basics:

• Working with the Puppy Head Start Program clients and their puppies from Monday through Friday, 7:30am –3:30pm, approx. 30 - 35 hours per week.
• Patience, empathy and awareness will be needed in this role.
• Much of the day is on your feet with pups under your feet, being able to react quickly is needed.
• You will receive on-the-job training that includes puppy socialization, dog body language, reinforcing good play skills, proper dog communication, positive reinforcement training and basic learning theory.
• Previous dog experience ideal, but not required.  We can teach the right person!

The Responsibilities:

• Provide a safe and positive learning environment for the puppies, enabling them to have critical early enrichment
• Assist with training the puppies on the basics based on our training plans. You will collaborate with our certified trainers to provide enrichment activities and desensitization within our space.
• Cleaning up after the puppies in real time (dog urine and feces)
• Setting up and breaking down before & after school. This includes cleaning and disinfecting the office, preparing snacks, cleaning food toys each day and doing laundry.
• Preparing food (light kitchen duties, cutting dog treats, ability to use a knife, etc.)
• Assist trainers with a variety of tasks assigned
• Assist with social media by gathering content (photos & videos)
• Work with the trainers to do Daily/Weekly puppy report cards and progress, documenting/communicating issues and training needs.
• Provide support for Puppy Socials, Class Orientations, Special Projects, and Marketing Events with some weekend hours when required.

The Requirements:

Monday-Friday schedule with availability from 7:30am to 3:30pm year round, and some weekend/evening hours when required. The majority of tasks assigned will require you to stand on your feet for several hours per day, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, twist, walk up and down stairs; handle extra small and/or large dogs, and be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

• Capable of working in a fast-paced & sometimes stressful environment with barking, distractions and general noise.
• Detail oriented, have the ability to multi-task, deal with starting and stopping tasks due to the meeting of puppy needs.
• Exposure to solvents, disinfectant, sanitation chemicals, dog dander, saliva, urine, feces, sharp puppy teeth, and nails can and will come in contact with hands, skin, and clothing.
• Previous customer service experience and capability of communicating with clients, staff, and vendors in both written and spoken English.
• Comfort working with little supervision and as well as collaborating when needed.
• Patience and empathy while working with puppies (up to 10 per group/day) and guiding them to learn.
• Ability to be flexible with added additional tasks as needed.
• Class C California Driver’s License for driving as needed.

Check us out on Instagram @topdogsf and at our website at topdogsf.com!