REHOMING CENTRE
Job Title:
Senior Coach
Reporting to:
Dog School Manager
Location:
Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre
Revised:
April 2016
Summary
A position working alongside and under the supervision of the Head Coach, the Senior
Coach will help to provide dog training classes to the general public as well as adopters of
Dogs Trust dogs, to organise and execute seminars and workshops by external speakers
and Dogs Trust Staff, and provide workshops and seminars for the general public on dog
handling, training and behavior under the guidance and direction of the Dog School
Manager and the Head of Training and Behaviour.
Duties

Become conversant with the additional responsibilities undertaken by the Head
Coach in order to cover for them during periods of absence.

Carry out any other duties as directed by the Dog School Manager and the Head
Coach.

Help the Head Coach to provide a minimum of 10 training classes per week for dog
owners in the general community and Dogs Trust adopters in accordance with Dogs
Trust training course templates, as directed by the Dog School Manager.

Provide a range of opportunities for engaging the general public in responsible dog
ownership, welfare compatible training methods, building positive dog-human bonds
and preventing the development of undesirable behaviours.

Provide education opportunities for all dog owners in training and behaviour, by
organising and running workshops and seminars themselves and by speakers
approved by the Dog School manager/ head of Training and Behaviour.

Provide one-to-one advice for owners of dogs to address training problems,
consistent with Dogs Trust policies.
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Job Description/Senior Coach
Dogs Trust/MW/05_04_2016

The Senior Coach will be responsible to the Head Coach but will also be directed by
the Dog School Manager and the Head of Training and Behaviour with respect to
the material covered within classes and presented to members of the public, and
when helping to organise Dogs Trust courses, seminars and workshops.

The Senior Coach will assist the Head Coach and, alongside the Coach, ensure that
the team provides training and behaviour advice to the general public as required
and according to Dogs Trust policies.

Any other reasonable duties as required by the Head Coach, Dog School Manager
and Head of Training and Behaviour.
Person Specification
The successful individual should be passionate about helping dog owners better
understand their pets with the aim of encouraging a positive long-term pet/owner
relationship.
They should have a good knowledge of the scientific principles underlying the development
of behaviour in dogs, including a thorough understanding of how dogs learn new
behaviours.
They will need to understand how training methods impact upon welfare, and use reward
based approaches in both training new behaviours and in rehabilitation work.
The Senior Coach will be responsible to the Dog School Manager through the Head Coach
but will also be directed by the Dog School Manager and the Head of Training and
Behaviour when helping to organise Dogs Trust courses, seminars and workshops.
They should have an understanding of canine ethology, and be able to explain to owners
the rationale for behaviours shown by their dogs. They should have utmost regard for the
welfare of each dog attending the training classes, behaviour workshops and behaviour
consultations.
They should be competent in the appropriate and safe handling techniques for dogs of a
fearful or aggressive nature.
They should be experienced at dealing with dogs which are anxious or fearful and be able
to provide flexible solutions for the training of such dogs and education of their owners.
They should be experienced at handling dogs which are challenging, and be able to
respond appropriately in cases of aggression to safeguard both people and other dogs.
They must appreciate that the health and wellbeing of members of the public and staff are
of paramount importance.
They should be capable of dealing with the general public in a sensitive, effective and polite
manner.
They should be capable of dealing with pet dog owners attending training classes,
behaviour workshops or behaviour consultations in a sensitive, effective and polite manner.
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Job Description/Senior Coach
Dogs Trust/MW/05_04_2016
They should be capable of interacting with fellow professionals (both Dogs Trust
employees and external behaviourists, veterinary staff and trainers) in a professional, polite
and respectful manner.
It is essential that they have extensive experience of running dog training classes/courses.
They should be comfortable and competent delivering training and lectures to small and
large groups.
A qualification in animal behaviour or similar relevant academic study would be
advantageous.
Experience of handling a variety of dogs and breed types is mandatory.
Candidates must have a full manual driving licence.
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Job Description/Senior Coach
Dogs Trust/MW/05_04_2016