Pet Care Professional Trainer (In-Store)

KENNELWOOD PET RESORTS•St. Peters, MO

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Kennelwood Pet Resorts is seeking an experienced dog trainer to provide personalized training that helps dogs develop skills, confidence, and appropriate behaviors while equipping pet parents to continue training at home. The trainer works with dogs of varying breeds, ages, temperaments, and skill levels, evaluates training needs, develops individualized plans using Kennelwood’s approved philosophy and standards, and coaches clients through individual and small-group lessons. The role also includes recommending appropriate training services, building client and referral relationships, supporting the growth of Kennelwood’s Dog Training program, and maintaining accurate documentation and safe, organized training areas. This is a hands-on role requiring previous dog-training education or equivalent practical experience. Trainers are W-2 employees and work a schedule established by Kennelwood according to client, business, and operational needs. The listed schedule is 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, though schedules may vary and evening and weekend availability may be required. Scheduled work may include client follow-up, documentation, meetings, continuing education, community events, cleaning, organization, and other program or resort responsibilities. Trainers are expected to remain for their full scheduled shift unless leadership approves an adjustment or early departure. The work is active and may take place indoors and outdoors in varying weather and temperatures. It involves handling live animals and exposure to barking and other loud noises, animal hair and dander, water, cleaning products, animal waste, and bodily fluids. Physical activities include extended standing and walking; frequent bending, stooping, reaching, kneeling, and crouching; safely handling dogs; and regularly lifting and carrying approximately 40 pounds, with occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or safe handling of up to approximately 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

Completion of a reputable dog-training program or equivalent hands-on dog-training experience.
Experience working with dogs and understanding canine behavior.
Familiarity with balanced dog-training methods.
Ability to safely train and handle dogs of varying breeds, sizes, ages, strength levels, and temperaments.
Ability to evaluate behavior and temperament and select appropriate training approaches within Kennelwood standards.
Ability to teach and coach pet parents in individual and small-group settings.
Ability to explain training concepts clearly so clients can understand and apply them at home.
Ability to build client relationships and provide knowledgeable, supportive service.
Comfort recommending appropriate training services based on pets’ and clients’ needs.
Organization and ability to manage training sessions, evaluations, lessons, documentation, scheduling, and follow-up.
Ability to work independently, take initiative, and exercise appropriate professional judgment.
Commitment to animal welfare, ethical training practices, professionalism, and exceptional client service.
Ability to remain for the full scheduled shift unless leadership approves a schedule adjustment or early departure.
Evening and weekend availability may be required.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and frequently bend, stoop, reach, kneel, and crouch.
Ability to safely walk, handle, restrain, and maintain control of dogs with varied sizes, strength levels, and temperaments.
Ability to react quickly and appropriately to unexpected animal behavior, movement, or safety concerns.
Ability to safely use training tools and equipment.
Ability to regularly lift and carry approximately 40 pounds and occasionally lift, carry, push, pull, or safely handle up to approximately 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to perform cleaning and sanitation duties in training areas, equipment, kennels, and other pet-care spaces.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying temperatures and weather conditions and around barking and other loud noises, animal hair and dander, water, cleaning products, animal waste, bodily fluids, and live animals.

Nice To Haves

Previous professional dog-training experience.
Experience conducting client consultations, lessons, or behavioral evaluations.

Responsibilities

Conduct training evaluations to assess dogs’ behavior, temperament, training history, and individual needs.
Recommend suitable Kennelwood training programs and set realistic expectations with pet parents.
Develop and implement individualized training plans in accordance with Kennelwood’s approved philosophy, methods, and standards.
Train dogs of varying breeds, sizes, ages, temperaments, and skill levels using a balanced training approach.
Monitor dogs’ progress and adjust techniques within Kennelwood standards.
Conduct individual and small-group client lessons, demonstrating techniques and teaching pet parents how to reinforce training at home.
Provide clients with professional updates on training progress, challenges, and recommendations.
Follow up with training inquiries, evaluations, and prospective clients.
Educate clients about Kennelwood training services and other opportunities suited to their pets’ needs.
Generate training opportunities through existing Kennelwood relationships and the local community.
Build referral relationships with veterinarians, rescues, breeders, community partners, and other appropriate sources.
Participate in community events, demonstrations, and educational opportunities when requested.
Maintain accurate training, behavioral, client-communication, and program documentation.
Keep training areas, equipment, and supplies safe, clean, and organized.
Collaborate with resort leadership, Pet Care, Guest Experience, other Trainers, and Kennelwood team members.
Complete scheduled work responsibilities, which may include client follow-up, documentation, meetings, continuing education, community events, cleaning, and other support for the Training program and resort operations.