Daycare Assistant Dereham Dog Den – Dereham, Norfolk Permanent Part-Time Wednesday | 8:00am – 5:00pm Additional paid hours available
About Dereham Dog Den
Dereham Dog Den is a structured, enrichment-focused dog daycare based in Dereham, Norfolk. We provide calm, carefully managed daycare where every dog's wellbeing comes first. Our days are built around enrichment, training, appropriate social interaction and rest, rather than simply supervising groups of dogs. We deliberately keep our groups small and personal, allowing us to maintain exceptionally high standards of care, safety and welfare for every dog in our membership.
We are looking for a Daycare Assistant to join our team. This is a hands-on role for somebody who enjoys working with dogs, has an interest in behaviour and training, and takes pride in maintaining high standards of care. The Role As a Daycare Assistant, you will play an important part in delivering the high standards of care Dereham Dog Den is known for. Responsibilities include: - Welcoming members and their dogs into daycare. - Supervising dogs within structured daycare groups. - Delivering enrichment activities appropriate to each dog's individual needs. - Assisting with training and grooming tasks. - Encouraging calm behaviour and positive social interactions. - Feeding dogs and overseeing rest periods where required. - Maintaining accurate records relating to each dog's visit, behaviour and wellbeing. - Cleaning and maintaining indoor and outdoor areas to a consistently high standard. - Supporting the wider team with the smooth day-to-day running of the daycare. From time to time, you may also be asked to support other areas of the business as required.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who is: - Calm, reliable and professional. - Confident handling dogs of various sizes and temperaments. - Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions. - Physically fit and capable of an active, manual role. - Observant and proactive regarding dog behaviour and welfare. - Organised and able to follow structured routines. - Friendly, approachable and professional with clients. - Passionate about providing excellent standards of animal care. - Interested in dog behaviour, training and enrichment. Previous professional experience working with dogs is preferred but not essential. Full training will be provided for the right candidate.
Essential Requirements Applicants should: - Be reliable, punctual and trustworthy. - Be confident handling larger dogs. - Be willing to undertake training courses, including Canine First Aid, First Aid at Work and other relevant professional development. Some training may take place outside your normal working hours. All training costs will be covered by Dereham Dog Den. - Hold a full UK driving licence (preferred but not essential).
Additional Skills (Desirable) As a small business, every member of the team plays a part in maintaining the high standards of our facilities. Applicants who are practical and able to assist with minor maintenance tasks—such as repairing dog equipment, building enrichment items, carrying out basic DIY, or helping with the general upkeep and improvement of our premises—would be at an advantage. These skills are desirable rather than essential, and applicants without this experience will still be fully considered.
Employment Details - Permanent part-time position. - Core hours: Wednesday, 8:00am–5:00pm. - Additional paid hours available for holiday cover, sickness cover, training and as the business continues to grow. - Starting salary meets National Minimum Wage. - Ongoing training and professional development fully funded by Dereham Dog Den.
Why Work With Us?
At Dereham Dog Den, we believe calm dogs don't happen by accident. Structure, enrichment, thoughtful handling and consistency are part of everything we do. This role is ideal for somebody who wants to build a career working with dogs in an environment where welfare, behaviour and enrichment are valued as highly as fun. You'll become part of a small, supportive team committed to providing exceptional care and continually raising standards within the dog daycare industry.
Pay: From £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
