About your role

You're responsible for the assessment and education of dogs within Dogs for Good’s dog education programme, supporting each dog to successfully complete their education and reach their best possible potential. You make sure that training is delivered to the charity’s required standards, timescales and budgets, while maintaining the highest levels of dog welfare.

You use your technical dog training and handling skills to assess temperament, behaviour and learning needs, providing balanced and objective evaluations as dogs progress through training. You work closely with the Trainer Team Leader and colleagues across the Training Department to identify suitable service pathways, alternative career options where appropriate, and future welfare needs for each dog.

You also contribute to problem‑solving and decision‑making around training and behavioural challenges, you communicate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders and always uphold Dogs for Good’s values, standards and public reputation.

The salary range for this vacancy is the starting salary.

About you

You're a positive, organised and proactive person with a strong commitment to dog welfare and education. You have experience of working hands‑on with dogs and are confident applying your judgement to assess learning, behaviour and wellbeing in a sensitive and timely way.

You communicate clearly and professionally with a wide range of people, including colleagues, clients, volunteers and members of the public. You're open to new ideas, receptive to feedback and are willing to champion change that supports continuous improvement in dog education practice.

You enjoy variety, can manage your time effectively and are committed to maintaining the high standards that make Dogs for Good a leading assistance dog charity.

Your responsibilities

As a Trainer, you'll:

Assess, educate and progress dogs through their education programme to meet charity standards, targets and timescales.
Monitor and evaluate dogs as they progress, discussing service options, alternative careers and future welfare needs with the Trainer Team Leader.
Apply strong technical dog handling skills, including the assessment of temperament, behaviour and learning requirements.
Highlight any concerns relating to a dog’s education, welfare or wellbeing and respond in a timely and appropriate way.
Contribute to resolving training and behavioural challenges, including identifying appropriate interventions and referrals.
Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date dog records on Dynamics and make sure that written and verbal reports are completed within agreed timescales.
Provide clear, balanced and objective information to support decision‑making around matching dogs with clients.
Work collaboratively with other teams, including Puppy, Health and Welfare, Instructor and Community Dog Handler teams, to support effective service delivery.
Assist Instructors and Community Dog Handlers during client sessions and support the education of clients in basic dog handling skills.
Support and represent Dogs for Good through talks, demonstrations and promotional activities as needed.
Contribute to the recruitment, education and development of new team members and volunteers.
Undertake continual professional development and engage with colleagues to understand Dogs for Good’s services and strategic aims.
Make sure that safeguarding principles are understood and applied in line with our Safeguarding Policy.
Carry out any other reasonable tasks/duties as requested by the Trainer Team Leader.

Your skills, experience and approach

It's essential that you:

Have experience of working with dogs, including practical training, handling and behavioural assessment skills.
Can demonstrate sound judgement in relation to dog learning, welfare and wellbeing.
Have a good understanding of dog welfare, education theory and best practice.
Can communicate effectively with a wide range of people, both internally and externally.
Are organised, able to plan your workload effectively and work proactively in a dynamic environment.

It's beneficial if you:

Have experience working within an assistance dog, animal welfare or charitable organisation.
Have knowledge of disability issues, relevant legislation and safeguarding principles.
Have experience supporting clients or service users in a learning or coaching context.

Other requirements

You must have the right to live and work in the UK.
You must be comfortable working around dogs.
Driving the charity’s vehicles is part of the role so a full driving licence is preferred, but we will work with you to find alternative solutions if reasonable adjustments are required. You must be over 21 years of age to drive our charity vehicles.
Sometimes you may need to work flexibly so we can deliver our services effectively, and this may occasionally involve working evenings and/or at weekends. You’ll be given time off in lieu (TOIL) for this.
As you will be working with vulnerable people, you will be required to undergo a DBS check. This will be renewed every 4 years.
You’ll be expected to have a good understanding of safeguarding issues and how they should be applied to the work of the charity and its partner organisations. Full training on this will be provided during your induction.

Closing date

The closing date/time for applications is Monday 18th May 2026 at 5:00pm

Interviews

1st stage interviews will be held on Microsoft Teams on Friday 22nd May 2026.

2nd stage interviews will be held at our National HQ in Banbury on Wednesday 27th May 2026.

Trainer

Help our dogs to learn, thrive and reach their full potential through compassionate, evidence-based training and collaborative teamwork.