Dog Daycare Manager
Oxford Pet Whisperers, Didcot
Pay: £14.70 per hour
Job type: Full-time (Part time available for the right candidate if wanted)
Oxford Pet Whisperers is an established, five-star licensed dog daycare and hotel in Didcot. We provide structured, professional care for dogs in a busy group environment, with a strong focus on safety, training, calm behaviour and consistently high standards.
We are looking for an experienced, confident and dependable Dog Daycare Manager to take responsibility for the day to day operation of our daycare centre and lead our team of dog care professionals.
This is a hands on management role. You will be actively involved in managing and training dogs, supporting staff, maintaining standards and ensuring that the centre runs safely and efficiently throughout the day.
The role
As Dog Daycare Manager, you will be responsible for the smooth daily operation of the centre.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Managing the daycare operation from opening through to closing
- Leading, supervising and supporting the daycare team
- Allocating staff, dogs and daily responsibilities effectively
- Monitoring dog behaviour, group dynamics and safety throughout the day
- Making confident decisions about dog introductions, group suitability and individual care requirements
- Ensuring dogs with Individual Care Plans receive the correct support
- Training new employees and developing existing team members
- Coaching staff on dog handling, body language, recall, calmness and group management
- Maintaining clear and consistent operating standards
- Conducting staff observations and providing constructive feedback
- Managing incidents calmly, professionally and accurately
- Ensuring dog notes, handovers and customer information are completed properly
- Communicating with owners when necessary
- Supporting dog assessments and phased introductions
- Ensuring cleaning, hygiene, feeding, medication and welfare procedures are followed
- Monitoring stock, equipment and the general condition of the centre
- Identifying problems early and taking responsibility for resolving them
- Working closely with the business owners to improve standards and develop the service
About you
We are looking for someone who is confident taking responsibility and comfortable making decisions in a busy environment.
You should be:
- Experienced in professional dog care, dog daycare, kennels, training or a similar environment
- Confident managing groups of dogs safely
- Able to recognise dog body language, stress signals, overstimulation and inappropriate play
- Calm and decisive when managing incidents or challenging situations
- Experienced in supervising, training or developing staff
- Comfortable holding employees accountable to clear standards
- Organised and able to prioritise tasks throughout a busy day
- Reliable, punctual and consistent
- Physically capable of working on your feet and handling dogs throughout the day
- Comfortable working both indoors and outdoors in different weather conditions
- Professional when communicating with customers and colleagues
- Willing to follow established procedures while also suggesting sensible improvements
- Passionate about animal welfare, but also practical and commercially aware
Previous management experience is strongly preferred. Applications from experienced senior dog handlers, trainers or supervisors who are ready to step into management will also be considered.
Our approach to dog care
Oxford Pet Whisperers is not a chaotic, free-for-all daycare.
We use structured group management, controlled introductions, positive reinforcement and clear behavioural boundaries. Our team actively teaches dogs how to settle, listen, recall and interact appropriately.
Dogs are carefully monitored and may be given rest periods, individual support or time away from the group when required. The successful candidate must be comfortable maintaining these standards and ensuring that staff do not allow unsafe, overly intense or uncontrolled behaviour.
Our training methods are force free and reward based.
What we offer
- £14.70 per hour
- A genuine management position with day-to-day responsibility
- A structured and established working environment
- Ongoing training and development
- The opportunity to influence standards and improve the service
- A varied, active role working with dogs and people
- Support from experienced business owners
- Staff benefits and discounts
- The opportunity to become an important part of a growing local business
Working hours
The role is based at our daycare centre in Didcot.
Our weekday operating hours are 7:30am to 6:00pm, so applicants must be available to work a mixture of opening and closing shifts.
Some weekend work will also be required.
Exact contracted hours and shift patterns will be discussed during the recruitment process.
Essential requirements
- Relevant professional dog care/training experience
- Experience managing or supervising employees
- Strong understanding of dog behaviour and body language
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a busy environment
- Excellent reliability and timekeeping
- Confidence communicating with staff and customers
- Ability to work independently and take responsibility
- Full right to work in the UK
A relevant animal care, dog training or management qualification would be beneficial but is not essential where substantial practical experience can be demonstrated.
Application questions
Please include answers to the following questions with your application:
- What professional experience do you have working with groups of dogs?
- What experience do you have supervising or training employees?
- Why are you interested in working for Oxford Pet Whisperers?
Applications that do not demonstrate relevant dog care and leadership experience may not be progressed.
Pay: From £14.70 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
