Animal Training & Behavior Lead

Annenberg PetSpace; Vista (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% paid medical insurance, dental, &

Vision coverage

Life and disability insurance

FSA contributions

403(b) retirement plan with 10% match

Annual performance bonus

Free pet adoption

Wellness initiatives

Job summary

WallisAnnenberg PetSpace is seeking an Animal Behavior & Training Lead to guide canine behavior programs from intake to post-adoption support. You will conduct assessments, create individualized plans, and ensure humane, evidence-based practices across the team.

You will train staff, oversee playgroups, and coordinate with the Behavior & Training Coordinator to maintain high welfare standards and successful adoptions.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional positive reinforcement dog training experience.
• Professional certification in dog training or behavior strongly preferred – CPDT-KA.
• Experience handling dogs with fear, anxiety, reactivity, or other behavioral challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee dog-to-dog introductions and playgroups with safety protocols and behavior assessment.
• Develop and implement individualized training and behavior modification plans.
• Provide daily training and behavior support to dogs throughout their stay.
• Coach Animal Care staff on canine body language, handling, enrichment, and safety.
• Prepare dogs for adoption by developing skills like loose-leash walking, recall, and engagement.
• Document training progress and maintain records in the organization’s systems.

Skills

Dog training

Positive reinforcement

Behavior assessment

Staff coaching

Leadership

Behavior modification

Enrichment

Handler guidance

Education

CPDT-KA certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

WallisAnnenberg PetSpace, located in Playa Vista, is a unique community space featuring pet adoptions, a humane education program, and a leadership institute for animal science and welfare advancement. PetSpace focuses on the bond between people and their pets, as well as the origins and community impact of that relationship.

The Animal Behavior & Training Lead plays an integral role in achieving this mission by supporting animals throughout their entire PetSpace journey, from intake and acclimation through adoption and post-adoption support.

Working as part of the Behavior & Training team, this position provides professional dog training, behavior assessment, behavior modification, enrichment, staff coaching, adoption support, and post-adoption services. The Animal Behavior & Training Lead helps prepare animals for successful placement while building the skills and confidence of Animal Care staff and adopters.

The position works closely with the Behavior & Training Coordinator and Animal Operations team to maintain consistent, humane, evidence-based training and behavior practices throughout PetSpace.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following is representative of the major duties and responsibilities of the position. Additional duties may be assigned based on organizational needs.

Position Purpose:

The Animal Behavior & Training Lead is an essential part of PetSpace's effort to prepare animals for successful adoption, support Animal Care staff in providing consistent and safe care, address behavioral challenges through appropriate behavior modification, and promote long-term pet retention. The goal is not simply to train dogs, but to improve their behavior, welfare, and ability to successfully transition into homes while building the skills and confidence of the people who care for them.

Animal Behavior, Training, & Behavior Modification

Conduct behavioral assessments and ongoing evaluations of dogs to identify strengths, challenges, stress signals, and training needs.

Develop and implement individualized training and behavior modification plans using positive reinforcement, learning theory, and evidence-based behavior modification methods.

Provide daily training and behavior support to dogs throughout their stay at PetSpace.

Prepare dogs for successful adoption by developing skills including loose-leash walking, recall, impulse control, appropriate greetings, door manners, handling, enrichment, and engagement with handlers.

Work with dogs experiencing fear, anxiety, reactivity, frustration, overarousal, and other behavioral challenges.

Apply appropriate behavior modification techniques to improve emotional responses, coping skills, and functional behaviors.

Monitor changes in behavior and modify training plans as needed.

Recognize and respond appropriately to changes in canine body language, emotional state, and arousal level.

Provide enrichment and decompression strategies to support animal welfare and reduce stress.

Dog-to-Dog Introductions & Playgroups

• Lead and oversee dog-to-dog introductions and meet-and-greets,ensuring appropriate safety protocols and professional behavior assessment are followed.

Evaluate canine body language, social behavior, play styles, and compatibility during dog-to-dog interactions.

Lead and facilitate appropriate playgroups, including evaluating dogs for participation and monitoring interactions throughout the session.

Determine when interactions should continue, be modified, or discontinued based on behavioral observations.

Train staff in appropriate techniques for safely conducting dog-to-dog introductions and managing group interactions.

Participate and lead tandem walks, pack walks, offsite activities, and other real-world behavioral assessments.

Animal Care Training & Staff Development

• Lead and provide Animal Care staff trainingon canine body language, handling, enrichment, training techniques, behavior modification, and safety.
• Support the development and implementation of PetSpace's handler color-level program and assist with assessing handler skills.
• Provide clear and consistent instruction regarding individual dogs' training plans, handling needs, equipment, and safety considerations.
• Model appropriate handling, training, and behavior modification techniques for Animal Care staff, volunteers, and other team members.
• Promote consistency in training language, methods, equipment, and behavioral expectations across departments.
• Coach staff in recognizing changes in canine behavior and making appropriate handling decisions.
• Assist in developing and maintaining training protocols, procedures, assessment tools, and educational materials.

Foster, Adoption, & Pet Retention

• Provide fosters, adopters, and potential adopters with accurate and practical information regarding individual dogs' behavior, training, and ongoing needs.
• Provide post-adoption training and behavior support through consultations, phone/video calls, email resources, and educational programming.
• Assist in identifying and addressing behavioral challenges that may place an adoption at risk.
• Support PetSpace's goal of increasing successful adoptions and improving long-term pet retention.

Documentation & Communication

• Maintain accurate and timely training, behavior, and assessment records within PetSpace's electronic record-keeping system.
• Document behavioral observations, training progress, recommendations, behavior modification plans, and changes in individual training plans.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with Animal Care, Adoptions, veterinary staff, leadership, volunteers, adopters, and other team members.
• Clearly communicate behavioral concerns, training recommendations, and safety considerations to appropriate team members.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when discussing animal behavior and adopter information.

Teamwork & Professional Development

• Work collaboratively with the Behavior & Training Coordinator and other PetSpace departments to ensure consistent standards of animal care, training,and behavior management.
• Assist with developing and maintaining PetSpace's organization-wide training and behavior standards.
• Continue professional development and maintain current knowledge of canine behavior, learning theory, humane training, and behavior modification practices.
• Represent Wallis Annenberg PetSpace professionally and positively at all times.
• Assist with animal care, adoptions, and foster department duties as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education, Skills, and Experience

Qualifications, Education & Experience:

• 3+ years of professional positive reinforcement dog training experience (including least intrusive, minimally aversive or LIMA)in an animal shelter, rescue or daycare capacity
• Professional certification in dog training or behavior strongly preferred – CPDT-KA.
• Experience working with dogs displaying fear, anxiety, reactivity, frustration, overarousal, and other behavior challenges preferred.
• Experience leading dog-to-dog introductions and playgroups or willingness to complete Dogs Playing for Life program.
• Experience training and coaching others in animal handling, training, and behavior modification techniques preferred.
• Valid driver's license and exemplary driving record.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Advanced ability to safely handle and accurately read canine body language and recognize changes in stress, arousal, fear, and emotional state.

Strong understanding of canine behavior, learning theory, classical and operant conditioning, positive reinforcement, and behavior modification.

Ability to assess behavior and make sound professional decisions regarding safety, handling, training, behavior modification, and environmental management.

Ability to work effectively with dogs of varying temperaments, backgrounds, ages, and behavioral needs.

Strong understanding of canine communication, social behavior, play behavior, and appropriate dog-to-dog interactions.

Ability to develop, implement, and modify individualized training and behavior modification plans.

Ability to lead dog-to-dog introductions and playgroups while maintaining a strong focus on safety and behavioral assessment.

Strong teaching and coaching skills with the ability to communicate training and behavior concepts clearly to staff and adopters.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Strong organizational skills and ability to accurately maintain records.

Ability to remain calm, professional, and effective in challenging or unpredictable situations.

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Strong professional judgment, sound decision-making, and a commitment to animal and human safety.

Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and shelter/database software.

Commitment to humane, ethical, and evidence-based animal training and behavior modification practices.

Passion for the mission of Wallis Annenberg PetSpace and strengthening the human-animal bond.

Physical Demands:

Must be able to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear; stoop, bend, squat, kneel, grasp and grip; reach above and below shoulder level; and lift, push, or pull up to 80 pounds when necessary for animal handling, restraint, transportation, food, equipment, and animal care supplies.

The position requires frequent walking and standing, repetitive use of hands, and the ability to safely handle dogs of varying sizes and physical abilities. May be required to clean and care for animals. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Conditions:

Work is performed in a combination of office, animal care, training, kennel, indoor, and outdoor environments with regular exposure to animals and varying environmental conditions.

The position may involve working with dogs exhibiting unpredictable or challenging behavior and requires the ability to remain calm and professional in potentially stressful situations.

Work may include evenings, weekends, special events, and offsite activities as needed.

• 100% paid medical insurance, dental and vision for employee + family
• Life and disability insurance
• Employer contribution to FSA
• We also offer a 403(b) retirement plan with 10% company contribution after 1 year of employment.
• Opportunity for an annual performance bonus (discretionary and not guaranteed)
• Free pet adoption.
• The organization invests in employee wellbeing through wellness initiatives and meaningful celebrations

Wallis Annenberg Legacy Foundation, PetSpace, is a company that respects the uniqueness of each employee and offers everyone the means to find their place and thrive. We promote initiatives aimed at supporting professional equality for everyone. We strive to go above and beyond purely symbolic measures by building a culture focused on meaningful strategies aimed at creating an inclusive workforce.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail].