Full-Time Dog Walker – Nervous Dog Specialist (Edinburgh)

 

Do you have a passion for helping nervous dogs feel safe and confident?

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We’re looking for a full-time dog walker to join our team in Edinburgh, specialising in working with nervous and anxious dogs. This is more than just a walking job – it’s about making a real difference in the lives of dogs who need extra patience, understanding, and support.

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What We’re Looking For:

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✅ Experience with nervous dogs – You don’t need formal qualifications, but you must have hands-on experience caring for or walking nervous dogs. We’re looking for someone who can:

• Identify when a dog is struggling and adapt to their needs.

• Implement training techniques to build confidence.

• Reflect on what worked (and what didn’t) for different dogs and adjust accordingly.

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✅ A love of learning – You should have a strong interest in dog behaviour and training, always keen to grow your skills and find new ways to help the dogs in your care.

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✅ A clean driving licence (held for at least 2 years) – You’ll need to travel to different locations around Edinburgh to collect and drop off dogs.

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Shift Pattern:

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📅 Monday: 8am - 2pm
📅 Tuesday - Thursday: 8am - 5pm
📅 Optional Friday: 11am - 2pm

 

Probation & Training:

 

We want to ensure you feel fully supported in this role, so we provide a structured 4-week probation period:

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🗓 Weeks 1 & 2: Shadowing an experienced nervous dog trainer, completing:

• 2 online courses

• Canine first aid course

• Quick-start dog walking course

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🗓 Week 3: Taking the lead while being shadowed by the trainer.

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🗓 Week 4: Independent work with the trainer on call for support.

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💰 Starting wage: £12.50/hr during probation.

💰 After probation: Wage increases to £13.50/hr (paid every 4 weeks).

📚 Further Training: After probation, you’ll begin a full dog training course, which takes several months.

💰 Upon course completion & assessment: Wage increases to £14/hr.

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What You’ll Be Doing:

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🐾 Walking and caring for nervous dogs, helping them gain confidence in different environments.
🐾 Using positive reinforcement and training techniques to support their progress.
🐾 Communicating with owners about their dog’s experiences, challenges, and improvements.
🐾 Ensuring every walk is a safe, stress-free, and positive experience for each dog.

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Why Join Us?

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🌟 Be part of a supportive team that truly cares about dogs’ wellbeing.
🌟 Gain hands-on experience and ongoing opportunities to learn about dog behaviour.
🌟 Enjoy the outdoors while making a difference in the lives of anxious dogs.

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How to Apply:

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If this sounds like the perfect job for you, we’d love to hear about your experiences with nervous dogs! Please send us a CV and a cover letter detailing:

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• The dogs you’ve worked with.

• The struggles they faced.

• The techniques you used to help them.

• What worked, what didn’t, and how different dogs responded.

• What materials you’ve used to learn about dog training – books you’ve read, dog trainers you’ve taken advice from, and any online resources you’re aware of.

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Send to enquiries@aliciashouseofpaws.co.uk

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📩 Apply now and help nervous dogs in Edinburgh find their confidence one step at a time!