04/11/2025
🚐 Senior Dog Handler & Driver — Join Our Team at Waglands
Love working outdoors, surrounded by dogs who think you’re the best part of their day?
We’re looking for an experienced Senior Dog Handler & Driver to join us at Waglands Dog Daycare — our beautiful, rural property just outside Lower Hutt (known affectionately as Doggie Mountain).
This isn’t an entry-level role. You’ll bring real experience, calm confidence, and a passion for helping others lift their game. You won’t be managing staff, but you’ll work closely with our Operations Manager to create a smooth, positive, and enriching environment for both dogs and people.
You’ll:
🐾 Lead safe, balanced off-leash playgroups using structure, consistency, and positive handling
🐾 Model best-practice techniques and support handlers to grow their confidence
🐾 Spot early signs of arousal and maintain calm group dynamics
🐾 Drive our Waglands vans for scheduled pick-ups and drop-offs — no long routes, just efficient, bus-style runs
🐾 Contribute to enrichment programs, learning stories, and training development.
You’ll need:
✔ Proven experience in a senior or lead role within dog daycare, kennels, or training
✔ A clean NZ Class 1 licence and confidence handling vans
✔ Solid understanding of canine body language and group dynamics
✔ Physical fitness to work outdoors in all conditions (our grounds are hilly and natural)
✔ A calm, kind, and structured approach that keeps both dogs and people on track
🌿 Why Waglands?
Waglands offers over a hectare of natural bush and open paddocks designed for dogs to thrive. You’ll be joining a growing team with strong values, where your input and experience will directly help shape how we do things.
🕓 Flexible start: We’re ready now, or in the new year — your choice.
If this sounds like your kind of challenge, send your CV and cover letter to
📧 [email protected]
Tell us about your handling experience, what you value in a daycare and when you’d like to start.
