What are the responsibilities and job description for the Professional Dog Trainer (As-Needed for Pet Care Services) position at Sailor's Dog Walking & Pet Care, LLC?
Sailor’s Dog Walking & Pet Care, LLC. | Annapolis, MD & Surrounding Areas
Part-Time / As-Needed | Potential to Grow Into Full-Time
Sailor’s Dog Walking & Pet Care is an established, award-winning pet care company serving Annapolis, Maryland, and surrounding communities. We provide dog walking, cat care, day visits, overnight pet sitting, and private in-home dog training.
We’re expanding our dog training program and seeking an experienced, compassionate Professional Dog Trainer who can work independently, communicate clearly with clients, and help us grow a high-quality training service.
This role focuses on private, in-home dog training. You’ll assess each dog’s needs, develop individualized training plans, coach owners, and document progress. We work with dogs of different breeds, ages, temperaments, and training needs.
Initially, the position will also include as-needed dog walking, cat care, day visits, and overnight pet sitting while our training program grows. Candidates must be comfortable supporting general pet care operations during this phase. Our long-term goal is to transition the role toward primarily—and potentially exclusively—dog training as client demand increases. Timing depends on program growth and bookings.
Explore our current training program: https://sailorspetcare.com/private-dog-training/
Our website and packages can be adjusted to reflect the selected trainer’s experience, certifications, and training methods.
Dog Training & Behavior
- Conduct private, in-home training sessions throughout Annapolis and surrounding areas.
- Assess canine behavior, learning needs, and client goals; create and follow individualized training plans.
- Work with puppies, adolescent dogs, and adult dogs on obedience, manners, loose-leash walking, recall, impulse control, and household skills.
- Help address common concerns such as jumping, barking, leash pulling, and leash reactivity, working within your qualifications and experience.
- Demonstrate humane, reward-based techniques and teach owners how to practice consistently between sessions.
- Set realistic expectations, communicate progress, and recognize when referral or additional behavioral support is appropriate.
Client Communication & Program Management
- Manage appointments professionally and independently.
- Keep accurate session notes, progress reports, and client records.
- Provide individualized homework and follow-up recommendations.
- Communicate clearly with clients and collaborate with the owner on consistent training standards.
- Help improve training programs, client resources, and educational materials.
- Maintain client confidentiality and represent Sailor’s professionally in clients’ homes.
Additional Pet Care
As needed, provide dog walks, cat care and feeding visits, drop-in/day visits, and overnight pet sitting in clients’ homes. Follow care instructions and company procedures, prioritize pet safety, complete accurate service reports, and communicate important updates.
- 3–5 years of professional dog training experience working directly with client-owned dogs and their owners.
- Ability to create and implement individualized training plans and teach owners how to maintain progress.
- Strong understanding of canine body language, behavior, learning theory, and positive reinforcement.
- Professional communication, organization, problem-solving, recordkeeping, and client education skills.
- Ability to work independently, manage appointments, and travel throughout Annapolis and surrounding areas.
- Reliable vehicle and valid driver’s license.
- Ability to pass a criminal background check.
- Willingness to provide general pet care services as needed while the training program grows.
- Commitment to humane, evidence-based training, animal welfare, and continued professional development.
Completion of a professional dog training certification program through a recognized institution or established training organization is strongly preferred. Relevant credentials may include Karen Pryor Academy (KPA-CTP), CCPDT (CPDT-KA or CBCC-KA), CATCH Trainers Academy, Animal Behavior College, Victoria Stilwell Academy, Pat Miller Certified Trainer (PMCT), or another reputable program.
Professional organization membership, such as the Pet Professional Guild, and continuing education in canine behavior and learning theory are valued. Candidates pursuing certification may be considered if they have substantial professional experience and can demonstrate the required knowledge and practical skills.
Experience with puppies and adult dogs, basic obedience and advanced manners, reactive or fearful dogs, private in-home sessions, structured training programs, client homework, and training records is a plus.
We prioritize humane, reward-based training that supports animal welfare and strengthens the relationship between dogs and their owners. Trainers should be able to explain and demonstrate training techniques clearly, including the importance of timing, consistency, reinforcement, and communication. Our goal is to empower owners with the skills to maintain long-term progress.
- Hourly base pay for training and pet care services, plus a 15% commission on eligible dog training packages, individual sessions, and training walks.
- Commission is earned according to company policy after the first package training session is completed. No training commission is paid on dog walking, cat care, day visits, or overnight pet sitting.
- Current training packages range from $600 to $1,575, with programs ranging from 6 to 15 sessions. Based on the base wage and eligible training commission, earnings may potentially average approximately $30–$34 per hour for trainer services; actual earnings vary with bookings and completed services.
- Applicable weekday and weekend hourly rates for pet care may differ.
- Overnight pet sitting: flat rate of $50 per night in the client’s home.
- Employees keep 100% of client tips.
- Monthly gas reimbursement for work-related travel, according to company policy.
- Flexible scheduling based on client appointments and business needs.
- Opportunity to help develop an established training program, work with a variety of dogs, and grow into a primarily full-time training position as demand increases.
You must be able to travel to client homes throughout the service area, maintain reliable and professional communication, follow company policies and safety procedures, complete a criminal background check, and sign applicable confidentiality and non-solicitation agreements.
Step 1 — Application: Selected applicants will receive a job application through LinkedIn messaging or email. Complete and return it before moving forward.
Step 2 — In-Person Interview: We’ll discuss your experience, certifications, training philosophy, behavioral experience, availability, and the position’s pet care responsibilities during the program’s growth phase.
Step 3 — Hands-On Training Assessment: Candidates advancing to this stage will demonstrate practical skills with their own dog or the owner’s one-year-old dog. We’ll assess training technique, canine body language, training progression, problem-solving, communication, and safety. The focus is on your judgment, adaptability, and humane handling—not simply whether the dog performs a behavior perfectly. The assessment will use humane, force-free, reward-based methods consistent with our training philosophy.
Professional references may be requested, and selected candidates must complete a criminal background check and onboarding requirements. Applying or interviewing does not guarantee an offer.
- Interested in helping grow Sailor’s dog training program? We’d love to hear about your professional experience, training education, and approach to working with dogs and their owners.
Salary : $30 - $34