BEHAVIOUR AND RESEARCH
Job Title:
Canine Behaviour Manager
Reporting to:
Director of Canine Behaviour and Research
Direct reports:
Canine Behaviour Officer
Veterinary Behaviour Resident
Training and Behaviour Assistant
Location:
London Head Office
Revised:
April 2017
Summary
Canine behaviour knowledge and practice is central to rehabilitating dogs within our
rehoming centres, and for the provision of Dog School training and education classes. Up
to date and science led behaviour knowledge also informs a range of other areas of Dogs
Trust activity, including campaigns, international projects and the work of the education
teams.
Reporting to the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research, the post-holder for this role
will be responsible for working collaboratively with colleagues across Dogs Trust to review
dog training and behaviour materials and to agree and implement changes.. He or she will
have a thorough knowledge of canine behaviour, practical expertise in clinical behaviour
and training, the ability to critically evaluate new information and to communicate this in an
accessible manner to a range of audiences.
Duties
The Canine Behaviour Manager will be expected to:
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Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of Dogs Trust, our mission, ethos and
objectives.
Keep up to date with the latest research and clinical practice in canine behaviour and
welfare in collaboration with the research and clinical animal behaviour teams. .
Interact with Dogs Trust research team, and contribute specific canine behaviour
knowledge in project development or review in projects which are specific to canine
behaviour.
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
Oversee the development and review of support materials, including leaflets and
handouts, for use by Dog School teams in agreement with the Head of Dog School.

Manage direct reports including assisting them with administration processes, setting up
IT functions, managing the Training and Behaviour website, running inductions and
meetings, managing annual leave, booking accommodation and travel and managing
expenses. Conduct appraisals according to Dogs Trust policy.

Liaise with the Head of Professional Development in Canine Behaviour and Clinical
Animal Behaviourists in providing practical behavioural support as required for field
teams in training and behaviour.

Liaise with Veterinary and Operations teams to provide input and advice on specialist
training and behaviour policy and practice within rehoming centres.

Maintain an up to date knowledge of Training and Behaviour activity in rehoming
centres, alongside the Training and Behaviour Field Manager, and report on
achievements and key developments.

Take responsibility for reviewing and developing materials in canine behaviour for
rehoming centres, including behaviour specific Standard Operating Procedures,
standard behaviour modification programmes and factsheets, in association with
Operations as needed.

Manage the Canine Behaviour Officer in reviewing and developing materials for the
Training and Behaviour / Dog School web-site and review input to the site from other
sources. Liaise with the Head of Dog School and digital team in identifying key areas for
web-site development.

To liaise with the Training and Behaviour Field Manager and Senior TBAs regarding the
review of practice and policy within Training and Behaviour teams

To work with the Head of Professional Development in Canine Behaviour, the Learning
and Development Manager and the Training and Behaviour Staff Development
Manager to determine how developments in policy and practice may impact on staff
development needs, and to ensure that changes in practice are co-ordinated with
appropriate staff development activities.

Monitor progress in Training and Behaviour against annual plans. To analyse the
information gathered and to produce regular and ad hoc reports as required. To identify
trends to report on these to the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research
recommending appropriate changes and to implement the agreed approaches.

Assist departments across Dogs Trust in identifying evidence based best practice in
canine behaviour in conjunction with the research team as needed.

Review weekly reports from Dog School and Senior TBA teams to highlight any areas
of concern in training or behaviour to the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research.

Work with the research team in developing and reviewing research related to clinical
behaviour and / or training.

Co-ordinate with the field team, the HR Engagement Manager and Communications
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team in the dissemination of material to rehoming centres, dog school teams and other
departments.

Assist the research team in translating research evidence into accessible forms for
dissemination to staff in conjunction with HR and Communications teams

Support the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research in the development,
management and application of activities to better define training and behaviour best
practice within Dogs Trust
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Provide support to Communications, Public Affairs, Fundraising and Campaigns teams
in the development of reports, lay summaries and fact sheets to support their activities

Support the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research in the development of data
collection methods and measurement systems within behaviour teams in Dogs Trust
services and operations alongside the Research Team

Work with the Research Manager and Head of IT and HR in evaluating future IT
requirements for data collection, storage and reporting in Dog School and Training and
Behaviour teams.

Support the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research in the development of training
and behaviour specific KPIs
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Present behaviour practice and policy at veterinary, clinical behaviour and animal
welfare conferences and meetings to promote the work of Dogs Trust as required by the
Director of Canine Behaviour and Research and within agreed parameters
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Be thoroughly familiar with Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) and the policies of
Dogs Trust.
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Promote the work of Dogs Trust through the media, the public, local vets etc, whilst
always protecting the image of Dogs Trust.
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Ensure that all Health and Safety procedures, as deemed necessary after assessment
of risk are implemented and followed.
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Liaise with the Head of Dog School and Dog School Development Officers in reviewing
and writing DS literature and resources.
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To conduct annual appraisals with direct reports in line with Dogs Trust policy and
deadlines.
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To maintain an up to date understanding at all times of the issues facing the Directorate
of Canine Behaviour and Research in general, and Training and Behaviour in particular,
in order to be able to interpret data accurately and to plan ahead.

Ensure that all Health and Safety procedures, as deemed necessary after assessment
of risk, are implemented and followed.
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Create an environment where all staff feel included and valued.
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To act as a spokesperson for Dogs Trust on canine behaviour matters as required.

To provide information to the CEO, Deputy CEO and Director of Canine Behaviour &
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Research as required.
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Any other reasonable duties.
Person Specification
The Canine Behaviour Manager will:
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have a veterinary, animal science, animal behaviour, welfare or similar qualification

Ideally have a postgraduate qualification and / or be eligible for accreditation as a
Clinical Animal Behaviourist.

have some experience of management and be able to demonstrate skills in
identifying and reporting on KPIs

have good communication skills, both verbal and written, and good organisational
and interpersonal skills
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be a self-motivator with huge amounts of energy, commitment and enthusiasm

have experience in establishing and motivating a team, demonstrating effective
leadership and sound decision making
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experience with arranging events and meetings
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be numerate with experience of preparing budgets and ensuring the control of
expenditure
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have strong analytical, planning, programme management and negotiating skills
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have experience of gathering and analysing complex data, producing clear
information based on it and exercising good judgment to take decisions/make
appropriate recommendations
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be experienced in evaluating the implementation of policies and procedures and
ensuring compliance
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have a track record of leading by example, giving constructive feedback on
performance and driving the achievement of objectives.

be personable, articulate, credible, well-presented and able to act as a
spokesperson including with the media
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have the ability and experience to develop and maintain good relations with other
leading animal welfare organisations in the UK and Ireland
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be self-motivated, enthusiastic, resilient and able to work well under pressure

have intermediate (or above) proficiency with IT
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have sympathy with the aims and objectives of Dogs Trust
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understand the charity sector
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
ideally have experience in an animal welfare, professional training and behaviour or
education environment

be prepared and willing to travel to various locations across the UK and
internationally where necessary in the course of the duties of the role

have a reasonable knowledge of research methods, data collection techniques and
reporting of research results.
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ideally have previous experience of conducting research independently
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be confident in presenting to professional and lay audiences
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have excellent written communication skills, and be able to put together accessible
lay summaries or reviews of research results
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be able to inspire others about the importance and value of canine behaviour
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be empathetic and able to mentor other staff
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be able to work independently, be organised and able to develop and prioritise his or
her own workload.
Must possess a full manual UK driving licence
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