Specialized Dog Sitter / Walker

Challenging Dogs Boarding and Daycare, LLC is hiring Specialized Dog Sitters/Walkers in the Columbia/Laurel area, Baltimore suburbs and DC western and southern suburbs. In this position you would provide boarding at your home and/or sitting, daycare, and walking services at clients' homes. Boarding would only be at your home if you do not have a dog or other pets in your home. Sitting, daycare and walking is at the client’s home. This position is paid according to the number of days of bookings that you accept.

What are challenging dogs? Challenging dogs react to other dogs with some combination of barking, lunging, and growling. Most dog-reactive dogs are fearful of other dogs and use this behavior to make other dogs go away. Others may be shy and fearful in general or may suffer from separation anxiety and cannot be left alone. Some challenging dogs are initially nervous with new people. Challenging Dogs Boarding and Daycare does not accept dogs who have serious aggression issues that require the expertise of a professional.

Important Requirements Working with reactive, fearful dogs is more than dog sitting and it can be difficult. You must constantly focus on how to reduce the stress and anxiety that many of our clients’ dogs have. Many dogs are initially fearful of us and/or difficult to walk. To do this job well, you must be:

1. Knowledgeable about the basics of dog behavior,

2. Interested in addressing behavior challenges with management and positive reinforcement, and

3. Interested in and able to relate to clients and discuss their dogs’ fears and needs.

You must also have your own transportation.

Primary Job responsibilities:

Provide boarding, sitting, daycare and walking services for clients' dogs in your own home or in the client’s home.

Specific responsibilities for boarding, sitting and daycare:

• Participate in an introduction meeting with a new owner and dog to collect information.

• Be available at your home or arrive at the client’s home for drop off / pick up or arrival / departure times.

• Provide meals and medications (if necessary) at appropriate times (food provided by owner).

• Provide at least four potty breaks during the day.

• Provide an adequate amount of physical exercise and mental stimulation for the dog.

• Communicate regularly with the dog's owner to provide updates and pictures.

• Provide updates to the owner of Challenging Dogs Boarding and Daycare about the stay.

• Provide training for calm behavior on walks using desensitization and counterconditioning.

Specific Responsibilities for Walking:

• As needed, participate in an introduction meeting with a new owner and dog to collect information about the dog(s).

• Travel to client's home and take dog(s) for 30-minute walks, using counterconditioning and desensitization techniques as necessary.

• Communicate regularly with the dog's owner to provide updates and pictures

• Provide updates to the owner of Challenging Dogs Boarding and Daycare about the walk.

Other Information

• If you are boarding in your own home, you must not have a dog or other pets while you are boarding a challenging dog.

• You must go through training (unless waived) to understand why reactive dogs behave the way they do, and how to address their challenges.

More Information on Pay Average earnings per month is based on the number of bookings you take but it is between $750 - $1,300 per month. There is no guarantee of a certain income per month.