Kennel Assistant / Dog Care Team Member

Blackwood Canine is looking for a dependable, hardworking kennel assistant to help care for the dogs in our training programs.

This job is for someone who loves dogs, yes — but more importantly, someone who can show up on time, clean thoroughly, follow directions, stay calm under pressure, and take pride in doing the little things right.

Because around here, “I love dogs” is not what matters. It's about properly caring for their well being.

But can you mop correctly?
Can you follow a feeding chart?
Can you notice when a dog is acting “off”?
Can you handle barking, mud, poop, weather, and adhering to a schedule without making it everyone else’s problem?

That’s the job.

About Blackwood Canine

We help people raise better dogs through clear communication, good management, and consistent training. Our programs include obedience, manners, puppy development, reactivity work, and immersive training.

We are not a doggy daycare. We are not a “play with puppies all day” situation. We are a professional dog training company, and the care side of the business matters just as much as the training.

A clean kennel, a properly fed dog, and a dog who gets handled safely are not small things. They are the foundation.

What You’ll Do

You’ll help with the daily care, cleaning, handling, and management of dogs in our facility.

Responsibilities include:

• Feeding dogs according to written instructions
• Cleaning kennels, crates, yards, bowls, floors, and common areas
• Letting dogs in and out safely
• Following handling protocols for each dog
• Monitoring dogs for changes in behavior, appetite, stool, energy, or health
• Doing laundry, dishes, trash, restocking, and general facility upkeep
• Helping maintain a calm, clean, organized environment
• Communicating clearly with the team
• Supporting trainers when needed

Basically: keep the dogs safe, keep the place clean, and don’t make us wonder where you disappeared to.

Who This Job Is For

This could be a great fit if you are:

• Reliable
• Coachable
• Detail-oriented
• Physically capable
• Comfortable around all types of dogs
• Calm under pressure
• Good at following systems
• Not allergic to hard work
• Interested in dog training as a long-term path

This job is also a good entry point for someone who wants to learn more about dog training from the ground up.

But let’s be clear: the kennel work comes first.

If you want to become a dog trainer, great. We love that. But the path starts with proving you can handle responsibility, consistency, cleaning, dog care, and basic handling without needing to be chased down.

Who This Job Is NOT For

This is probably not the job for you if:

• You only want to play with dogs
• You hate cleaning
• You are frequently late
• You need constant reminders
• You take feedback personally
• You panic around barking or strong dogs
• You disappear when the work gets boring
• You think picking up poop is beneath you
• You want to “train dogs” but do not want to do the unsexy work that makes training possible

No shame. Just don’t apply and make it weird.

Training Opportunity

For the right person, there may be opportunities to observe, shadow, and learn dog training systems over time.

Paid kennel shifts are paid kennel shifts.

Additional learning, shadowing, or apprenticeship-style opportunities may be offered separately depending on fit, performance, and availability.

We are happy to invest in someone who shows up, works hard, listens, and actually wants to get better.

Schedule

Part-time to start, with the possibility of more hours for the right person.

Weekend availability is important.

Typical shifts may include mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays depending on kennel needs.

Example shift windows may include:

• Morning shifts
• Evening shifts
• Weekend coverage
• Holiday care rotations

Dogs need to eat on holidays.

Pay

Starting pay: $17-18 per hour, depending on experience and fit.

Requirements

You must be able to:

• Lift 40 lbs
• Be on your feet for long periods
• Work indoors and outdoors in different weather
• Safely handle dogs of different sizes, temperaments, and training levels
• Follow written and verbal instructions
• Communicate clearly
• Work weekends and holidays as needed
• Pass a working interview / trial shift

Prior kennel, dog daycare, vet, grooming, farm, animal shelter, or dog training experience is helpful, but not required.

Reliability matters more than your resume.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and answer the application questions.

Applicants who seem like a good fit may be asked to submit a short video answering:

• Why do you want to work at Blackwood Canine?
• Tell us about a time you stuck with something difficult.
• What do you think makes someone good at working with dogs?

This does not need to be fancy. We are not judging your lighting setup. We just want to hear how you think and whether you can communicate like a normal human.

Final Word

This is a real job.

It is physical. It is repetitive. It is dirty. It is also meaningful.

The right person will get to be part of a company that helps dogs and their owners live better lives.

The wrong person will realize very quickly that “loving dogs” and “working with dogs” are two very different sports.

Apply if you’re ready to work.

Pay: $17.00 - $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• On-the-job training
• Opportunities for advancement
• Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17 - $18