All vacancies are posted on our website and this is updated regularly. Unfortunately, due to the number of enquiries we receive, we are unable to keep any application letters or CVs on file for future records. Please note that we can only employ people of 18 years of age and over.
Current Vacancies
We currently have the following vacancies:
Puppy Socialising Co-ordinator - Based at Banbury, Full Time (35 Hours), Salary circa £17,000 (dependent on skills, experience and qualifications)
If you have experience and qualifications in conducting early dog training (dogs aged 6 weeks to 12 months) and have experience of visiting people in their own homes, motivating them to achieve training goals, then we want to hear from you. (Previous applicants need not apply).
Click here to download the Job Description for Puppy Socialising Co-ordinator
Trainer (Maternity Cover, 9 Months) - Based at Banbury, Full Time (35 Hours), Salary circa £15,500 pro rata (dependent on skills, experience and qualifications)
If you have experience and qualifications in conducting early dog training and can handle / progressively train a multiple number of dogs to a high standard, then we want to hear from you.
Click here to download the Job Description for Trainer
Instructor - Based initially at Banbury then at Wakefield, Full Time (35 Hours), Salary circa £19,000 (dependent on skills, experience and qualifications) Working predominantly on the provision of dogs with both our adult's and children's service. The position requires experience and qualifications of working with physically disabled adults and children along with skills in dog training, practical client training and the ability to plan and work independently or within a peer group. Initial 9 month training period based at our Banbury centre, then relocation to a venue in Yorkshire (not yet confirmed, although likely to be Wakefield area).
Click here to download the Job Description for Instructor
Instructor (Autism Service) - Based at Banbury, Full Time (35 Hours), Salary circa £19,000 (dependent on skills, experience and qualifications)
Working predominantly on the provision of dogs for autistic children and their families. The position requires experience and qualifications of working with disabled adults and children along with skills in dog training, practical client training and the ability to plan and work independently or within a peer group.
Click here to download the Job Description for Instructor (Autism Service)
Trainer (Autism Service) - Based at Banbury, Full Time (35 Hours), Salary circa £15,500 (dependent on skills, experience and qualifications)
If you have experience and qualifications in conducting early dog training and can handle / progressively train a multiple number of dogs to a high standard, then we want to hear from you.
Click here to download the Job Description for Trainer (Autism Service)
The closing date for applications for the above vacancies is 2nd May 2008. Please send a covering letter with your CV addressed to Sarah Fleming, Office Manager at Dogs for the Disabled, The Frances Hay Centre, Blacklocks Hill, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX17 2BS.
Work Experience
Sadly, we are only able to offer two one-week work experience placements per year. These are chosen on a strictly ‘first come, first served’ basis.
All our work experience placements for 2008 and 2009 are fully booked.
Please note that during your work experience placement, you may be required to work in our fundraising and administration departments as well as the training department.
How do I Become a Dog Trainer?
We receive a lot of correspondence requesting advice on how to become a Dog Trainer. Hopefully, the following information will help those of you wishing to follow this type of career.
Our Director of Training recommends that people gain as much practical experience as possible. This can be in the form of attending a local dog training school and observing the Trainer, working as a kennel assistant at a boarding kennels or voluntary work at a dog rescue centre. The more practical experience you can demonstrate you have to a prospective employer, the better. Dog training centres near to you can be found either via your local veterinary practice, by looking in the yellow pages or searching the internet.
Although it is not a requirement that we insist upon when advertising for Dog Trainers, a course in Animal Management can also be a useful tool. These courses tend to be run at Agricultural Colleges, so contact your nearest one to enquire whether they run these. A dog grooming course could also prove to be beneficial. Our Dog Trainers advise that there is a lot of competition for the very few jobs that become available in this type of field.
Therefore, they recommend that you are determined that being a Dog Trainer is the career for you and that you are the right type of person for the job; remember that being a Dog Trainer often means working in all weathers, working unsociable hours, sometimes at short notice so you must be extremely committed. We have very few Dog Trainer vacancies that arise, but when they do they are advertised on our website, which is updated regularly.
Volunteering for Dogs for the Disabled
To find out more about becoming a Puppy Socialiser, Temporary Boarding or becoming an Aftercare Support Volunteer please Click Here.
