AMERICAS K-9 CARING ANGELS DOG TRAINING Apprentice Trainer Bealeton, VA · Full time

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America's K-9 Caring Angels Dog Training has its roots in our non-profit K-9 Caring Angels Therapy and Service Dogs whos mission is to train and donate psychiatric service dogs to US veterans at no cost to the veteran. America's K-9 Caring Angels Dog Training is a for profit, professional dog training organization offering services to the public from basic pet training to emotional support animal (dog), Therapy Dog training, Psychiatric Service Dog training and Facility Therapy Dog Training. Facility Therapy Dog Training are for organizations like Fire Departments, Police Departments, Assisted Living, Funeral Homes, Schools, etc. and are represented across the country. We have been training in Northern Virginia for over a decade and are looking for good, dedicated individuals that want to learn, work hard and grow with us as we expand.

APPRENTICE DOG TRAINER

America’s K-9 Caring Angels Dog Training is hiring a full-time Apprentice Dog Trainer in Bealeton, Virginia.

This is a paid, hands-on career opportunity for someone who genuinely wants to become a professional dog trainer. Our apprentices work alongside experienced trainers while learning to train pet dogs, therapy and facility dogs, emotional support animals, and psychiatric service dogs.

Our programs include basic and advanced obedience, off-leash reliability, behavior modification, public-access preparation and specialized training. We also train therapy and facility dogs serving public-safety departments and other community organizations.

OUR TRAINING APPROACH

K-9 Caring Angels uses a structured, balanced training system that emphasizes obedience repetitions, clear communication and rewarding calm, desired behavior.

Our methods include fair and appropriate e-collar conditioning as a communication tool. Previous e-collar experience is not required, but candidates must be open to learning and consistently following our established training system.

WHAT TO EXPECT

This is a working apprenticeship—not a classroom-only position. Apprentices participate in every part of caring for and training the dogs entrusted to us.

Daily work includes structured obedience repetitions, feeding and exercising dogs, kennel care, cleaning, bathing, removing animal waste and maintaining safe training areas.

Professional dog-training experience is helpful but not required. We have successfully developed trainers from teaching, veterinary, kennel, grooming, customer service, sales and other hands-on backgrounds.

Coachability, dependability, communication and a genuine desire to build a dog-training career are more important than already knowing everything.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Care for dogs in training, including feeding, providing water, exercising, bathing and administering medication as directed.

• Clean and maintain kennels, training areas and shared facility spaces, including daily animal-waste removal.

• Complete structured obedience repetitions under the direction of a senior or master trainer.

• Learn and consistently apply K-9 Caring Angels’ commands, training methods, handling standards and safety procedures.

• Assist with training at our facility and in public environments.

• Help clients during dog drop-offs, pick-ups, lessons and follow-up visits.

• Assist with Canine Good Citizen, therapy-dog and service-dog public-access preparation, events and testing.

• Record training progress and communicate clearly with trainers, team members and clients.

• Use photos, videos, smartphones, tablets and company systems to document training and provide client updates.

• Attend required meetings, training sessions and company events.

• Continue developing the skills required to advance from Apprentice Trainer to Trainer, Senior Trainer, Lead Trainer and Master Trainer.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Reliable, punctual and able to follow a consistent work schedule.

• Available to work Sunday through Thursday, approximately 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday are the regularly scheduled days off.

• Reliable transportation to and between our Bealeton work locations.

• Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record and appropriate vehicle insurance when driving is required.

• Comfortable working hands-on with unfamiliar dogs of different breeds, temperaments and sizes, ranging from approximately 6 to 150 pounds.

• Able to safely perform the physical responsibilities of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Willing to clean kennels, remove animal waste, bathe dogs and perform routine facility-maintenance duties.

• Calm and confident around dogs while remaining attentive to safety.

• Coachable and able to receive instruction, feedback and correction professionally.

• Strong communication and time-management skills.

• Basic computer, tablet and smartphone skills.

PREFERRED, BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Professional experience in dog training, veterinary care, kennels, boarding, grooming, daycare, rescue work, dog walking or another animal-related position.

• Experience handling unfamiliar dogs or dogs with challenging behavior.

• Teaching, coaching, employee-training or mentoring experience.

• Customer service, consultative sales or other client-facing experience.

• Experience documenting work through written notes, photos or videos.

SCHEDULE

The regular schedule for this position is anticipated to be Sunday through Thursday, approximately 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., with Friday and Saturday as the regularly scheduled days off.

On overlapping days, this schedule provides time to work alongside our morning trainer for collaboration, training continuity and an effective handoff. The apprentice will then continue training and caring for the dogs throughout the afternoon and evening.

Evening responsibilities include structured training repetitions, feeding, administering medications as directed, exercising dogs, kennel care, final dog let-outs at approximately 8:00 p.m., and properly securing the facility or dog-care property for the night.

Applicants must be able to work this schedule consistently.

COMPENSATION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT

• Starting pay of $15–$18 per hour, based on relevant professional experience and demonstrated ability.

• Paid, hands-on training and professional development.

• Defined opportunity to advance from Apprentice Trainer to Trainer and into senior, lead and master-trainer responsibilities.

BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, vision and life-insurance benefits available to eligible full-time employees.

• The opportunity to build a professional dog-training career while earning income and gaining practical experience.

LOCATION

This is a full-time, on-site position in Bealeton, Virginia.

Team members work at our Green Road training facility and at a nearby private dog-care property where some dogs in training are housed. Some shifts may begin at the dog-care property before continuing at the training facility.

Candidates must have reliable transportation and be able to report to and travel between both Bealeton work locations as scheduled. Exact private reporting addresses and instructions will be provided only to candidates who advance through the hiring process.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR WORK

America’s K-9 Caring Angels Dog Training is an established professional dog-training company serving pet owners while also supporting therapy, facility and psychiatric service-dog programs.

We work alongside the separately operated K-9 Caring Angels Therapy and Service Dogs 501(c)(3), which supports veterans, first responders and community organizations through trained service, therapy and facility dogs.

Candidates are encouraged to learn more about our work and organizational mission:

Dog Training Company:

https://www.k-9caringangels.com

Nonprofit Organization:

https://www.k-9caringangels.org

APPLICATION PROCESS

After reviewing applications, selected candidates will be invited to an initial interview at our Green Road training facility, by Zoom, or at another public meeting location in the Bealeton area.

Candidates who advance may be invited to a paid working interview at the Green Road facility so we can evaluate dog-handling potential, coachability, communication, reliability and overall fit.

Additional private reporting locations will be provided only when necessary to candidates who advance through the hiring process.

If professional dog training is a career you genuinely want to pursue, we would like to hear from you. Responsiveness, punctuality and professional communication throughout the interview process will be considered part of the evaluation.