Join the team - we’re hiring
Dog Walker -
Contractor
(2 positions available)
Please email your Resume and a short Cover Letter explaining how you meet the below requirements to digbyandcompany@gmail.com
It’s Time To Explore
Digby & Company are explorers, designing walks that take dogs on a journey of heightened senses. Our dog-centred approach to walking means we put dogs first. Take the time to study their behaviour and adjust our practices to create a calm, happy pack environment.
Not just a walk in the park. As a valued Digby & Company Dog Walker you will hike at least 10kms a day, in all weather, manage packs of off-leash dogs of all ages and breeds, and design adventure hikes that integrate interesting terrain within NW Calgary.
Personal Specifications & Experience Required
About you:
You are kind, positive, out-going and love nothing more than hiking through mud and snow (preferably with a dog or four in tow). Your love of dogs drives you. You love to be immersed in and respect our natural habitats. You approach problems confidently and positively and are committed to using positive reinforcement training when working with dogs.
Fully Vaccinated
Car - Experienced and safe driver with access to your own vehicle and a clean driving license. Confident driving a vehicle in all weather and seasons (required)
Experience - Some experience working or volunteering with dogs or animals (not your own) - (preferred)
Pet First Aid Certified (preferred, but not required as will be provided)
An active person who regularly enjoys hiking or similar outdoor activities (preferred, but not required)
Willing to consent to a Criminal Background Check (required)
Have the right to work in Canada (required)
Able to commit to a minimum 3 month contract - with a view to being a long-term position.
Job specifications
Transport dogs in your own, fully-insured vehicle that is safe and suitably equipped for the transport of multiple dogs (often wet and muddy)
Have the basic equipment necessary for walking dogs e.g. variety of leashes, compostable poop bags, water container, bowl, treats, treat bag etc (Happy to discuss loaning basic equipment if preferred)
Must have a full and clean driving license, vehicle insurance (which covers using your vehicle for business) & clean driving record
You will be required to drive at least 50kms a day (distance varies depending on dog/hike location) in all-seasons and weather including adverse weather conditions
You will be required to provide and hold a clean criminal background check on request
Able to work varied hours between 8:30am-6pm Monday to Friday depending on client demand (willing to consider flexible working needs)
Willing and able to hike at least 10kms per day in rough terrain, during all-seasons and in all-weather, including adverse and changeable weather conditions. A level of physical fitness is required in this role as you will be bending, lifting, pulling and holding on a routine basis.
Client Partner & Time management:
A dog and people person -
Digby & Company clients are our Partners.
We work with them to keep their dogs happy, healthy, friendly, well-trained and calm. We support our Client Partners, taking the time to discuss their needs, listen to their problems, and meet their schedule more than they’ve ever experienced before. If their Dog, Mother or Great-Aunt twice removed is having a bad time of it, we take the time to hear their concerns.
Excellent communication skills -
you will provide Client Partners with real-time pick-up and drop-off texts, and a send timely walk summary within a few hours of the walk ending to the Pack Coordinator. Respond to any Client Partner texts the same day or, if outside of work hours, early the next day (most client relations will be handled by the Pack Coordinator).
Confidence in working independently and managing your workload.
Excellent time management skills - experience keeping to tight time schedules during busy periods.
Scheduling skills - experience forward-planning and creating schedules with possible delays in mind, to ensure meeting appointment times.
Organization skills - experience using other client management tools to plan appointments.
Timely and accurate record keeping - receipts/ taxes/ accounting/business invoices - as a Contractor you are required to Invoice Digby & Company at the end of the month and to submit your own tax return.
Dog Management:
Knowledge of different dog training methods and experienced in dog training (preferred, but not required).
Willing to only use positive reinforcement training techniques to train dogs to walk safely and sensibly in both on- and off-leash environments, such as but not limited to: distance recall, sit & stay, group heel walking, not chasing prey, polite greetings of strange dogs and people.
The ability to interpret dog behaviours and manage interactions between dogs confidently. This includes the ability to assess individual dog personalities and match them appropriately to minimize conflicts between dogs.
Confident walking multiple dogs on and off leash.
Confident walking dogs with behaviour problems, such as but not limited to: dog-reactive-dogs, people-reactive-dogs, high-prey-drive dogs.
Confident working with dogs of all ages and breeds - particularly untrained puppies which require constant and consistent dog walking training and management (not to mention their piranha teeth).
Risk Management:
Skilled at risk management and confident making decisions when risks arise for example: coyotes, porcupines, ice, fast-flowing water, changeable and adverse weather conditions, dog-to-dog confrontations etc.
Salary:
Determined by number of dogs walked at our contractor rate - available on request.
Location:
Multiple locations across NW Calgary
How to apply:
Please email your resume and a short Cover Letter explaining how you meet the above requirements to digbyandcompany@gmail.com - May close any time once right candidate is recruited.
We look forward to hearing from you!