Employment - Canine Handler

Canine Handler

Island Dog Lodge

Full-Time Part-Time

Weekdays Weekends Shift Holidays

Description

Job description

Island Dog Lodge is currently hiring for full-time and part-time Canine Handler positions.

POSITION SUMMARY: Canine Handlers are responsible to help with the daily care of all dogs attending our facility. Duties include the cleaning, disinfecting, and maintenance of the building, kennels, lodges, runs and play areas as often as is necessary to ensure a safe and clean environment. Canine Handlers watch over the client's dogs at the facility, providing the dogs with constant fresh water and allow them to play and get exercise inside/outside. In this position it is important to know the signs and signals of animal behavior and make daily decisions in the moment based on this. This position also involves administering oral medication to animals if necessary.

Canine Handlers are the first point of contact for customers. Using their customer service skills, they are required to check-in and out the dogs while taking detailed customer information and making appropriate recommendations. They are required to answer phone calls, emails, and other communications from clients.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

Key Responsibilities

Canine Handler

Main Responsibilities include:

  • Receive incoming dogs and prepare dogs to leave when being picked up
  • Provide care for dogs at all times by monitoring them and interacting with them when in the play areas of the facility
  • Monitor dogs when they are crated or in their cottages
  • Clean animal's living area.
  • Monitor animals' behaviour and condition.
  • Provide first aid to sick or injured animals.
  • Remove animal waste & clean all areas of the building
  • Transition dogs inside & outside following safe protocols
  • Walking dogs

Additional Requirements

  • In addition to having the ability to travel you must have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance
  • Adhere to the Companies Dress requirements & Safety equipment (company safety vests, walkie talkies)
  • Ensure dogs have all safety requirements, leashes, leads, safety vest when being walked
  • Work in all weather conditions and be able to be outside for long durations of time.

Physical Requirements

  • Requires frequent bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements, standing, walking, squatting and sitting, with some heavy lifting, pushing and pulling exerted regularly throughout a regular work shift. Should be able to lift 50lbs and be able to be on your feet for hours at a time.

Hours of Work

We are open 7 days a week from 7am till 7pm, 365 days a year. Expectations are ability and willingness to work on weekdays, weekends and Holidays. We are open no matter the extent of the weather extreme or mild and staff will be expected to work and travel in these conditions.

CORE COMPETENCIES

  • Strong communication skills
  • Ability to plan/organize/implement
  • Strong attention to detail
  • strong time management skills
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Strong spelling and grammar accuracy
  • Should be a team player

TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL KNOWLEDGE

  • General computer knowledge
  • Use of Google Workspace Email | Google docs | Sheets
  • Ability to share photo files
  • Company communication Apps
  • Knowledge of and demonstrated experience

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum: (a combination of)

  • Excellent knowledge of English, oral & written
  • Willing to take courses (Canine First Aid & CPR + Canine Body language and Behaviour)
  • Experience with Dogs, or Large animals
  • Dealing with the public (our clients)
  • Minimum of 1 year
  • Strong proven people skills

NATURE OF THINKING

  • Proactive to meet changing work environment challenges
  • Capable of working under stressful conditions, while projecting a positive attitude
  • Take ownership of situations, initiatives, and decision making in order to independently come up with action plans to be presented to your Manager.

THINKING ENVIRONMENT

  • Ability to be flexible as dictated by current company practices
  • Ability to work independently while being a team player

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $16.00-$18.00 per hour

Benefits:

  • On-site parking

Flexible language requirement:

  • French not required

Schedule:

  • Day shift
  • Evening shift
  • Morning shift
  • Weekends as needed

Ability to commute/relocate:

  • East Bay, NS B1J 1M4: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person

How To Apply

Island Dog Lodge will be accepting applications for this position via the Cape Breton Job Board. Applicants will need to first create a complete account before applying directly through this page.

Please apply directly 

Intended Audience

This employment opportunity is open for: Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents who are able to work for any employer in Canada (student permit, open work permit holders), unless specific eligibility criteria are noted in the above job posting.

Location Information
Community
east bay
County
Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Province
NS
Country
Canada
Opportunity Information
Employer
Island Dog Lodge
NOC Code
Experience Required
An Asset
Available Openings
3
Pay Type
Hourly
Pay Period
Hourly
Remuneration Per Pay Period
$17.00/hour
Estimated Weekly Hours
36.00
Start Date
August 15th 2025
End Date
Language
English
Posted on
July 31st 2025
Expires
September 30th 2025