MUST LIVE LOCALLY (within ~10 miles of Irthlingborough) due to occasional last-minute bookings
DO NOT APPLY IF YOU ARE NOT LOCAL TO THIS AREA.
Job Description:
Title: Professional Dog Handler & Animal Care Specialist (Multi - species)
Hourly Rate: Pay starts at £12.71 and progresses for all of our team members up to £16 p/hour
Hours: Minimum 15 hours per week guaranteed, progressing to full-time (37+ hours) as competencies develop, full training given for all aspects of the role.
Working Hours: You must be available Monday to Friday, varied times depending on client bookings
Training & Development:
As a valued member of our team, you will receive in-house training certificates in key areas of animal care, including Canine Emergency First Aid, dog behaviour, and pet handling techniques. You'll also have the chance to expand your skills through specialized training sessions through trusted third-party providers from related sectors , ensuring you're always learning and growing in the role.
This role requires lots of self - learning through our own e-learning platforms, this includes written and submitted work and completing courses with the adequate pass percentage and time frame.
Company vehicle: paid fuel to and from work using company van
Requirements
- Full UK (manual) driving licence
- Minimum age 23 (due to insurance requirements)
- You must have experience working with animals in a professional setting - we unfortunately cannot accept candidates who do not have experience
- Must live locally (within ~10 miles of Irthlingborough) due to occasional last-minute bookings
Before applying, please read carefully.
This is not a cosy “walk a few fluffy dogs” job.
This is a skilled, physical, fast-paced animal-care role involving:
- Handling untrained, reactive, excited, or strong dogs
- Structured group dog walks (up to 6 dogs) once trained
- Working outdoors in all weather
- Solo, independent work for most of the day
- Visiting homes to care for cats, rabbits, small animals, poultry, and other pets
- Responsibility for the care of pets and management of houses while owners are away, often for extended periods
- Occasional overnight stays in clients homes to care for the home and pets
If you want a calm, predictable, or easy job with animals, this role isnot for you.
We are looking for people who want a career in professional pet care — people who can stay calm, think clearly, and handle animals confidently in real-world, messy, unpredictable situations.
Honest Realities of the Job
We are upfront because we want the right people, not the surprised people.
1. Weather & Physicality
- You will get muddy, soaked, hot, cold, windblown — sometimes on the same day.
- Dogs will jump on you, pull, get dirty, or need washing.
- Hair gets messy, clothing gets messy — this is expected and normal.
2. Dog Handling Is a Skilled Profession
- Dogs require constant awareness, corrections, structure, and boundaries.
- You must be alert and calm while managing groups, especially during loading/unloading safely into vans.
- Some dogs are anxious, reactive, ,fearful or have bite history towards humans and animals— training prepares you for this
3. Independence & Solitude
Most of your workday is solo: driving, walking, and caring for animals alone.
- Many people underestimate how much time they spend in their own thoughts.
- Weekly team check-ins and occasional joint sessions help, but day-to-day work is independently performed.
This role suits people who thrive without needing constant social interaction.
4. Phone & Communication Demands
Your phone becomes a work tool:
- You’ll be taking many photos of pets
- You’ll communicate with clients and the internal team
- You’ll receive detailed instructions through our systems
- You’ll problem-solve gaps in information (clients sometimes forget things!)
If being highly connected, organised, and responsive on your phone is challenging, this role may not be a fit.
Your training stages include:
- Private walks, house sits, and simple visits
- Shadowing group walks and learning structured techniques
- Gradual introduction to group walks with experienced handlers
- Full group walking once confidence, competence, and safety standards are proven
- On going online learning, in person assessments, meeting performance indicators, constant reviews.
Long-Term Growth
- Guaranteed pay increases
- Opportunities to specialise in behaviour, training support, or care leadership
- Full-time hours available as competence increases (typically within 2 months)
Benefits
- Fast progression to full-time as competencies develop
- Company van to take home (fuel and expenses covered)
- Uniform & equipment provided
- Comprehensive training in behaviour, handling, first aid, client service, animals care and management, technical and skills related aspects of the job
- Career progression opportunities
- A stable, long-term career in professional pet care
- £400 towards cost of new mobile phone for long term team members*
- Incremental and yearly pay raises
What You’ll Be Doing
- Walking structured group walks (up to 6 dogs) — once trained
- Private walking for individual households
- Supporting our in-house dog behaviourist with assessments
- Visiting multiple homes per day for multi-species pet care (cats, rabbits, chickens, etc.)
- Building trust and relationships with pets and clients
- Attending ongoing training sessions
- Overnight house sitting & in-home day care (extra pay available)
About Us
We are the leading home-based pet care service in the area.
Joining Paragon Pet Care means:
- Upholding the highest standard of care
- Being reliable, consistent, and trustworthy
- Delivering excellence in every visit, message, and interaction
- Working with integrity, respect, and professionalism
Every team member matters — the work you do directly impacts pets, clients, and the reputation we’ve built.
Pay Progression & opportunities:
- 6 months: £13 per hour + CPD training in Canine Emergency First Aid, abundance of in house training
- 12 months: £13.20 per hour + yearly bonus
- 24 months: £13.80 per hour
- 36 months: £15 per hour
- 36 months +: Opportunity to qualify as an Animal Behaviourist (ABTC certification) based on performance and contract terms.
Longer term opportunities to work in the dog training side of the business, conducting group classes and individual training sessions with clients, rates of pay of + £30 p/h
How to Apply
Send your CV and a cover letter explaining:
- Your experience with animals
- Why this role suits you
- Why you want to join Paragon Pet Care
- How you manage independence, responsibility, and outdoor work
- Indeed applicants MUST also apply thorough our website, go to "careers" page on our official website and submit an application there and on indeed, failure to follow this step may result in rejection of your application.
This Role Is NOT for You If…
1. You’re looking for a cosy, calm, or predictable job with animals
This is active, outdoor work in all weather. You will get muddy, wet, hot, cold, messy, and physically tired. Dogs will jump on you, pull, mouth, scratch, and test boundaries.
2. You aren’t comfortable working alone most of the time
Most days involve being out on your own — driving, walking, managing dogs, problem-solving. If you need constant social interaction, supervision, or reassurance, this job will feel isolating.
3. You struggle with change or uncertainty
Schedules change, bookings move, new dogs join, weather shifts, and you will need to adapt calmly and quickly.
4. You prefer clear step-by-step instructions for everything
Animal care involves judgment calls, quick thinking, and figuring things out when owners forget details (which happens often).
5. You don’t want a job that gets physically or mentally demanding
This role involves lifting dogs, handling strong animals, washing muddy pets, managing reactive behaviour, and working under time pressure.
6. You’re uncomfortable using your phone constantly for work
Your phone becomes your main tool: photos, updates, client messages, internal notes, tracking, and problem-solving.
7. You’re mainly looking for an easy “job with animals”
We offer a career in pet care — with progression, professional training, and responsibility — not a soft, casual dog-walking role.
8. You aren't committed to self improvement and constant life long learning
- Commitment to excellence: we take pride in our work, sweat the small stuff, and don’t cut corners
- Ongoing learning: access to our online e-learning platform and completion of study outside of work hours is required
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: £12.71-£16.00 per hour
Benefits:
Experience:
- Animal care: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving licence for manual cars (required)
Work Location: On the road
