Professional Dog Trainer - Bothell

The Pet Care Club of Seattle; Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pet Care Club of Seattle is seeking a Professional Dog Trainer to expand our in-home training and enrichment programs across Seattle. You’ll deliver private sessions, support behavior modification, and help embed training into daily life for real-world results.

We prioritize force-free, science-based methods, emotional safety, and client coaching. If you share our welfare-first approach and can communicate clearly with dogs and owners, join our growing team.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in learning theory and canine behavior science.
• Deep understanding of canine body language.
• Working knowledge of behavioral thresholds, triggers, and nervous system regulation.
• Belief that dog training should improve a dog's emotional state, not just its behavior.
• Strong communication skills with both dogs and human clients.

Responsibilities

• Conduct private, in-home and real-world dog training sessions.
• Address dog behavior challenges including: Reactivity, Fear & Anxiety, Overstimulation, Leash Skills & Engagement.
• Create customized, humane behavior modification plans for each dog.
• Coach dog owners and clients with clarity and empathy.

Skills

Learning theory

Canine behavior science

Communication with clients

Dog handling

Education

CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, IAABC, or Fear Free Certification - or equivalent hands-on, force-free training experience

Job description

The Pet Care Club of Seattle is redefining pet care by integrating behavior, enrichment, and training into everyday life. We're not a traditional dog walking company, and we're not a traditional training company - our model is built on the belief that real behavior change happens in real environments through consistent, thoughtful interactions, not isolated training sessions.

We're building a team of professional dog trainers who see dogs through a behavioral, emotional, and welfare-based lens - not just compliance.

About the Role

We're hiring a Professional Dog Trainer to help expand our dog training and enrichment programs in Seattle. Our service area spans from Capitol Hill to Mill Creek, and we're specifically hiring for the northern end of our territory.

This dog training position focuses on:

• Private, in-home dog training sessions
• Dog behavior support and behavior modification
• Integrating training into real-life care environments

You'll play a key role in shaping how dog training is delivered across the entire company!

Our Training Philosophy

We are a force-free, fear-free, science-based dog training company. That means:

• Positive reinforcement as our primary dog training method
• Prioritizing emotional safety, agency, and trust
• Reducing stress, not suppressing behavior

Our company does not use or allow:

• Prong, choke, or shock collars
• Startle, intimidation, or correction-based training methods
• Dominance theory or "alpha" training frameworks

This approach aligns with modern behavioral science and humane dog training standards, which emphasize reinforcing desired behaviors over fear- or pain-based techniques.

Responsibilities

• Conduct private, in-home and real-world dog training sessions
• Address dog behavior challenges including: Reactivity, Fear & Anxiety, Overstimulation, Leash Skills & Engagement
• Create customized, humane behavior modification plans for each dog
• Coach dog owners and clients with clarity and empathy

Qualifications

Required:

• Strong foundation in learning theory and canine behavior science
• Deep understanding of canine body language
• Working knowledge of behavioral thresholds, triggers, and nervous system regulation
• Belief that dog training should improve a dog's emotional state, not just its behavior
• Strong communication skills with both dogs and human clients

Preferred:

• CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, IAABC, or Fear Free Certification - or equivalent hands-on, force-free training experience
• Hands-on experience with dog behavior cases (beyond basic obedience)
• Experience working directly with clients in private dog training settings

Note: This role is built around force-free, science-based methods. If you identify as a "balanced trainer" who uses correction-based tools or techniques, this won't be the right fit.