Professional Dog Trainer- Walk & Train Specialist

Pets Are Family Pet Sitting•Alexandria, VA

20d•Onsite

About The Position

Pets Are Family Pet Sitting Services LLC is hiring a compassionate, experienced Professional Dog Trainer to launch and grow its Walk & Train program and mentor dog walkers. The company serves Alexandria, Virginia, and surrounding communities and is committed to Fear Free, force-free, reward-based care. The role provides individualized training walks in dogs’ neighborhoods and other appropriate environments, helping dogs learn practical skills and become more confident and comfortable in everyday situations. Training must prioritize each dog’s physical and emotional well-being and use humane, evidence-based methods exclusively. The trainer assesses each dog’s abilities, temperament, confidence, and learning needs; sets realistic goals; and develops individualized lesson plans. Training may address loose-leash walking, focus, responsiveness, foundational obedience, practical life skills, polite greetings, impulse control, and comfortable walking routines. The trainer balances structured learning with exercise, sniffing, enrichment, and positive experiences, and adjusts activities when dogs show fear, anxiety, stress, frustration, or overstimulation. The company prohibits aversive methods, including shock collars, prong collars, choke chains, leash corrections, intimidation, and physical punishment. Trainers are expected to work within their professional competencies and refer complex behavioral concerns to qualified professionals. The role also includes documenting progress, reporting to clients after sessions, explaining recommendations and positive-reinforcement techniques, and maintaining accurate records in pet care management software. The trainer observes and mentors dog walkers, troubleshoots walk-related issues, trains new walkers, contributes ideas for expanding services, helps maintain company care standards, and manages daily walker schedules. This is an hourly, part-time position in Alexandria, Virginia, and surrounding service areas. The schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, with flexible hours based on company needs and trainer availability; morning and weekend shift availability are required. The role is approximately 30–35 hours per week, pays $27–$35 per hour depending on experience and certifications, and is expected to start as soon as a suitable candidate is found.

Requirements

Previous hands-on professional dog-training experience using positive reinforcement and force-free methods.
Strong understanding of canine learning theory, behavior, and body language.
Demonstrated ability to teach foundational obedience, loose-leash walking, and practical life skills.
Knowledge of how fear, anxiety, stress, and environmental factors influence canine behavior and learning.
Ability to recognize subtle stress signals and adjust training approaches accordingly.
Experience working with dogs of different breeds, ages, sizes, temperaments, and learning abilities.
Commitment to humane, science-based, reward-based training methods exclusively.
Excellent communication skills and a professional, client-focused attitude.
Ability to work independently while following established company standards and procedures.
Strong time-management and organizational skills and attention to detail.
Dependable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and ability to travel between clients’ homes.
Physical ability to safely handle dogs and work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Willingness to complete a background check and participate in company training.
Dog care experience.
Dog-trainer certification or ability to obtain certification within six months.
Availability for the required morning and weekend shifts.
Ability to commute to Alexandria, VA 22315.

Nice To Haves

CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, or comparable professional dog-training certification.
Fear Free Certified Professional designation, or willingness to complete applicable Fear Free education or certification.
Two or more years of professional dog-training experience.
Experience conducting private training sessions or structured day-training programs.
Experience developing individualized training plans and evaluating progress.
Knowledge of cooperative care, canine enrichment, and confidence-building exercises.
Experience collaborating with veterinarians, veterinary behaviorists, and other pet-care professionals.
Interest in helping develop a new service and potentially advancing into a leadership or training-mentorship role.
Fear Free Certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct individualized, one-on-one training walks in dogs’ neighborhoods and other appropriate environments.
Assess dogs’ abilities, temperament, confidence, and individual learning needs; develop realistic goals and individualized lesson plans.
Teach skills such as loose-leash walking, foundational obedience, focus, responsiveness, practical life skills, polite greetings, and impulse control using force-free, reward-based methods.
Recognize signs of fear, anxiety, stress, frustration, and overstimulation; adjust activities, environments, and expectations to keep dogs comfortable and engaged.
Apply Fear Free handling principles and maintain safe handling practices while respecting each dog’s physical and emotional limitations.
Balance structured learning with exercise, sniffing, enrichment, and enjoyable walking experiences.
Document training activities, accomplishments, and areas for improvement; provide progress reports and maintain accurate records in pet care management software.
Communicate training goals and recommendations to clients and educate them about consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement.
Observe dog walkers and provide feedback; troubleshoot issues that occur on walks and provide initial training to newly hired walkers.
Contribute ideas for expanding dog-walking services and help ensure practices align with company standards and its Fear Free philosophy.
Manage daily dog-walker schedules for efficiency and balance.
Refer complex behavioral concerns to appropriately qualified professionals when they are outside the trainer’s competencies.