22/09/2025
We’re Hiring
Join Our Team as a Dog Trainer / Pack Handler!
K9 Cadets is on the lookout for two dedicated, confident, dog experienced people to join our dynamic team. If you're passionate about dogs, enjoy multi-tasking, and are ready for a fun yet challenging role, this might be the perfect opportunity for you!
Role 1:
You’ll be responsible for both the care and feeding of our Homestay's (Monday & Friday) and working as a dog handler with your own pack (Tuesday – Thursday). The role involves a combination of hands-on dog care, training, and working alongside a supportive team.
Hours:
- Monday: Feeding and caring for Homestays – 12:00pm to 4 to 4.30pm
- Tuesday – Thursday: Dog Handler role + Feeding – 7.30 to 8am to 4:00pm
- Friday: Feeding and caring for Homestays – 12:00pm to 4 to 4.30pm
- 1 weekend day rostered each Month.
- House sitting (shared role with team) when owner away on holiday.
Role 2
Working as a dog handler / trainer with your own pack (Tuesday – Friday). Driving our school bus doing pick up and drop offs. Cleaning and maintanance work. The role involves a combination of hands-on dog care, training, and working alongside a supportive team.
Hours:
- Tuesday – Thursday: 7 - 7.30am to 5.30 - 6pm
- Friday 8am - 4 4.30pm
- 1 Saturday rostered each Month.
- House sitting (shared role with team) when owner away on holiday.
Future possible positions for suitable candidates from these roles include manager position and Seniour trainer position working with behavioural dogs /
clients for consultations and board and trains.
These are paid positions PAYE, and we provide full training to help you master the K9 Cadets approach to dog handling and training.
Why K9 Cadets?
At K9 Cadets, we focus on training, rehabilitation, structured daycare, and homestay services. Our dogs enjoy a balanced day filled with play, socialisation, and structured learning. We’re a small, family-oriented business with a fun, relaxed, yet productive workplace. Join us and become part of a team that genuinely cares about dogs and their development!
What We Offer:
•Mentorship & Training: You'll work closely with 60+ dogs daily, gaining hands-on experience and learning from senior staff.
•Structured Work Environment: Learn to handle dogs with varying behavioural challenges, including aggression. Full training is provided.
•Team Culture: Enjoy working in a supportive, close-knit team with a strong emphasis on learning and growth.
The Ideal Candidate:
We’re looking for someone who demonstrates the following qualities:
•Passion for Dogs: A genuine love for dogs and their behaviour.
•Dog Training Experience: Ideally, experience working with dogs, especially in a pack or structured training environment. Being a dog owner is not enough, you will need to demonstrate specific training you have achieved with them. Agility, sport dog work, extensive balanced behavioural training etc.
•Strong Multitasking Skills: Ability to handle various tasks simultaneously in a busy setting.
•Physical Fitness: Must be energetic and fit to keep up with a full day of activity.
•Excellent Communication Skills: You’ll interact with clients regularly, so clear communication is key.
•Attention to detail - dogs are in training / management all day, structure and consistency is required even if busy.
•Calm Under Pressure: Ability to remain patient and calm, especially when dealing with challenging situations.
•Team Player: Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a small team.
•Confidence with Behavioural Issues: Comfortable working with dogs with a range of behavioural challenges, including aggression (training provided).
•Positive supportive personality towards other members of the staff to ensure a great team dynamic.
•Reliability & Punctuality: Dependable and consistent with work schedules.
•Customer Service Skills: Positive interaction with clients and providing exceptional service.
•Pet First Aid: A knowledge of pet first aid is a plus.
•Driver’s License: A full driver’s license is required.
Requirements:
•NZ Residency or Valid Work Visa: Only applicants with NZ residency or a valid work visa will be considered.
Does this sound like your dream job?
If you're excited to work with dogs and join a passionate team, we'd love to hear from you! Please email your CV to [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Come join the K9 Cadets family – where dogs come first, and learning never stops.
