Vacancies

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!