Canine Coach / Dog Daycare Handler

Pay: CA$17.60–CA$19.00 per hour
Work Location: In person

Job Summary

We are looking for a reliable, confident, and highly attentive Canine Coach / Dog Daycare Handler to join our team.

This is a fast-paced, physically active role working directly with dogs in an open-play daycare environment. Canine Coaches are responsible for safely supervising playgroups of approximately 15+ dogs at a time, monitoring canine body language, redirecting inappropriate behaviours, maintaining control of the room, and creating a safe and positive environment for every dog in our care.

A significant part of this position also involves cleaning and facility maintenance. Keeping our playrooms, crates, floors, equipment, and common areas clean and sanitary is an essential part of providing safe daycare and boarding services.

The ideal candidate is confident around dogs of different sizes and personalities, comfortable managing a busy playgroup, physically capable of being on their feet for extended periods, and willing to take initiative with both dog supervision and cleaning.

Previous dog handling or daycare experience is preferred, but we are willing to train the right person who demonstrates strong situational awareness, reliability, confidence, and a genuine interest in canine behaviour.

Key Responsibilities

- Safely supervise open-play groups of approximately 15+ dogs at a time.
- Continuously monitor canine body language, play styles, energy levels, and interactions.
- Identify early signs of overstimulation, tension, fear, resource guarding, mounting, excessive barking, or inappropriate play.
- Use approved redirection and play-management techniques to prevent situations from escalating.
- Maintain awareness of the entire playroom rather than focusing on individual dogs for extended periods.
- Confidently manage dogs of different sizes, breeds, temperaments, and energy levels.
- Follow established procedures for safely moving dogs in and out of playrooms, crates, boarding areas, and other spaces.
- Participate in structured activities, enrichment, games, basic obedience exercises,



and group engagement.
- Ensure dogs receive appropriate rest periods according to facility protocols.
- Follow individual care instructions for dogs with specific behavioural, feeding, medical, or handling requirements.
- Communicate clearly with Shift Leads and other team members regarding dog behaviour, incidents, concerns, or changes.
- Accurately document relevant behavioural observations, incidents, feeding, bathroom activity, or other required information.
- Respond appropriately and calmly to dog conflicts or emergencies using established safety procedures.
- Follow all facility safety protocols, dog-handling procedures, and training standards.

Responsibilities include:

- Immediately cleaning urine, feces, vomit, spills, and other messes in the playrooms.
- Sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, and disinfecting floors.
- Cleaning and sanitizing crates, kennels, boarding spaces, gates, walls, doors, and play equipment.
- Washing food bowls, water bowls, enrichment equipment, and other supplies.
- Refilling water and ensuring dogs have access to clean drinking water.
- Completing laundry, including towels, blankets, beds, and cleaning supplies.
- Emptying garbage and maintaining waste disposal areas.
- Cleaning common areas and assisting with general facility upkeep.
- Following sanitation and disinfecting procedures to help prevent illness and maintain a secure environment.
- Completing assigned opening, closing, and ongoing cleaning duties without needing constant reminders.

Physical Requirements

This is a highly active position. Candidates must be comfortable:

- Standing and walking for extended periods.
- Bending, kneeling, squatting, reaching, and moving frequently throughout a shift.




- Working around energetic dogs that may jump, bark, pull, or move quickly.
- Handling dogs of various sizes.
- Lifting and carrying supplies, equipment, food, laundry, or dogs when necessary.
- Working in an environment that can be loud, messy, wet, and physically demanding.
- Remaining alert and attentive while supervising multiple dogs simultaneously.

Qualifications

- Comfortable supervising 20–30 dogs in an open-play environment.
- Basic understanding of canine body language and behaviour is an asset.
- Confident and calm when working around high-energy or excited dogs.
- Strong situational awareness and ability to monitor multiple dogs at once.
- Reliable and consistent attendance.
- Punctual and ready to begin work at the scheduled start time.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Comfortable performing frequent cleaning and sanitation duties.
- Able to follow detailed safety procedures and instructions.
- Strong communication skills.
- Able to accept coaching and apply feedback consistently.
- Works well as part of a team.
- Able to remain calm and make appropriate decisions in fast-moving situations.
- Genuine commitment to animal welfare and safety.

What We Are Looking For

The right person for this position understands that working in dog daycare requires much more than loving dogs.

We are looking for someone who can:

- Stay focused while supervising a large group of dogs.
- Recognize changes in dog behaviour before a situation escalates.
- Follow safety protocols consistently.
- Take initiative instead of waiting to be told what needs to be done.
- Clean thoroughly and continuously throughout the shift.
- Communicate concerns quickly and clearly.
- Work collaboratively with other team members.
- Remain dependable during busy or challenging shifts.

Safety, cleanliness, teamwork, and attentiveness are extremely important in our facility.

Benefits

- Casual dress
- Store discount

Pay: $17.60-$19.00 per hour

Expected hours: 15.0 – 30.0 per week

Benefits:

- Casual dress
- Store discount

Work Location: In person

📌 Dog Handler / Canine Coach (Canada)
🏢 The Modern Dog Kitchener
📍 Canada