Dog Trainer

Paws At Play; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Paws At Play Luxury Pet Resort in Raleigh, NC is seeking an experienced Full-Time Professional Dog Trainer to lead our training programs and work closely with dogs and their owners. You will conduct Puppy Preschool, K9 Kindergarten, Play & Train, private sessions, and Board & Train, while educating owners on continuing success at home.

CPDT-KA certification is required; minimum 2 years of professional dog training experience preferred.

Qualifications

• CPDT-KA certification required.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional dog training experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of canine behavior, learning theory, and positive reinforcement training methods.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to safely handle dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments.

Responsibilities

• Lead Puppy Preschool and Play & Train programs
• Conduct private training and Board & Train sessions
• Develop individualized training plans for each dog
• Teach basic obedience, manners, and life skills using positive reinforcement
• Evaluate dogs for temperament, behavior, and training goals
• Provide daily progress reports and homework for pet parents
• Work collaboratively with daycare and boarding staff to reinforce training throughout the day
• Maintain a safe, clean, and positive training environment
• Deliver exceptional customer service and client communication

Skills

CPDT-KA

2+ years experience

Job description

Full-Time Professional Dog Trainer

Paws At Play Luxury Pet Resort is seeking an experienced, passionate, and motivated Full-Time Professional Dog Trainer to join our growing team! We're looking for someone who believes in building confident, well‑mannered dogs through positive reinforcement training and enjoys working closely with both dogs and their owners. If you're committed to creating lasting results while making training fun and rewarding, we'd love to meet you.

About the Role

As our Professional Dog Trainer, you'll lead our training programs while collaborating with our daycare and boarding teams. You'll work with puppies through adult dogs, helping them develop confidence, good manners, and reliable obedience in a positive, engaging environment. You'll be responsible for conducting our Puppy Preschool, K9 Kindergarten and Play & Train Program, private training sessions, and Board & Train sessions, while educating owners on how to continue their dog's success at home.

Responsibilities

• Lead Puppy Preschool and Play & Train programs
• Conduct private training and Board & Train sessions
• Develop individualized training plans for each dog
• Teach basic obedience, manners, and life skills using positive reinforcement
• Evaluate dogs for temperament, behavior, and training goals
• Provide daily progress reports and homework for pet parents
• Work collaboratively with daycare and boarding staff to reinforce training throughout the day
• Maintain a safe, clean, and positive training environment
• Deliver exceptional customer service and client communication

Qualifications

• CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed) certification required
• Minimum of 2 years of professional dog training experience preferred
• Strong understanding of canine behavior, learning theory, and positive reinforcement training methods
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Ability to safely handle dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced daycare and boarding environment
• Dependable, organized, self‑motivated, and a collaborative team player
• Weekend availability required

What We're Looking For

We're searching for someone who is:

• Passionate about helping dogs and their families succeed
• Patient, encouraging, and professional
• Positive, energetic, and dependable
• Committed to continuing education and staying current with modern, science‑based training methods
• Dedicated to providing exceptional care and customer service

Why Join Paws At Play?

At Paws At Play, we believe every dog deserves the opportunity to learn, play, and thrive. Our training philosophy focuses on building confidence, strengthening the human‑animal bond, and creating lifelong success through positive reinforcement. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to grow our training department, make a meaningful impact on the lives of dogs and their families, and work alongside a supportive team that is passionate about providing exceptional care. If you're ready to make a difference and help shape the future of training at Paws At Play, we'd love to hear from you!

Application

Please submit your resume, CPDT-KA certification, and a brief cover letter explaining why you're the right fit for our team.