Canine Behaviour and Training Advisor

Canine Behaviour and Training Advisor

Reports to: Behaviour and Training Coordinator

Job Purpose:

Canine Behaviour and Training issues are key reasons for animal relinquishment to OTAC and a key part of a dog’s rehabilitation within Oak Tree to enable them to find loving new homes. The

Behaviour and Training team work flexibly to provide support within the community and with our

Community Team to prevent unnecessary relinquishment and provide support to colleagues within the Small Animal Team to ensure appropriate behaviour and training plans for each dog are in place, with staff/volunteers equipped to fulfil them.

Principal Accountabilities:

- To ensure all dogs admitted to the centre have appropriate training and behaviour plans

- To ensure staff and appropriate volunteers are trained and equipped to be able deliver training and behaviour plans

- To develop training and behaviour advice work in the community to include group and 1-2-1 sessions as appropriate to maximise impact. Reducing the need for relinquishment and generating income for the Charity

- To facilitate canine training and behaviour community workshops both on and off site

Specific Duties:

- Where necessary, to assess dogs on arrival at OTAC, alongside their caseworker, to identify their requirements for training, behavioural rehabilitation and enrichment. With the caseworker, create appropriate training programmes and monitor progress of each dog.

Update Behaviour and Training Coordinator, Small Animal Team Leader and Head of Animal

Welfare if any dog is not making expected progress, highlighting concerns and providing information as requested.

- Where appropriate and as requested by the Small Animal Team, to assess dogs waiting to be admitted to OTAC, in relation to potential for rehoming and suitability for a kennel environment.

- Train and support caseworkers, community team members and appropriate volunteers to be able to implement canine training programmes and keep up-to-date with advancements in training and behaviour.

- Provide post-adoption behavioural support for dogs, supporting the caseworker as needed.

- To develop and run dog training classes and 1-2-1 sessions in the Community.

- To facilitate community workshops and events that improve understanding of canine training and behaviour.

- Contribute to the development of OTAC policies and procedures in relation to canine behaviour and training.

- Ensure OTAC Health and Safety and Lone Working Policies are adhered to and risk assessments are completed.

- To keep up to date with advancements in canine behaviour and training. Attending internal meetings, training courses workshops as requested and agreed with your line manager.

Specific Skills and Experience

ESSENTIAL

- A thorough, in depth, up-to-date knowledge of evidence-based dog behaviour, training and welfare.

- Excellent written and oral communication skills.

- Experience/ability to speak to speaking to diverse groups of people.

- Ability to work independently, collaborating with colleagues and staff as appropriate

- Computer literate, knowledge of MS Office, databases, social media and video technology

- At least 3 years practical dog training experience

- English and Maths GCSE Grade C or above

DESIRABLE

- Recognised Dog Training Accreditation equivalent to ABTC Animal Trainer Standard

- Experience of working in a rehoming kennel environment.

- An animal behaviour, welfare or training qualification ideally at degree level or above

Personality

- An optimistic, positive individual able to spot opportunity and think creatively to maximise potential and engage others.

- A creative and flexible thinker, able to find a solution to a problem that may arise

- Can act as an inspirational role model for staff, volunteers and the general public to aspire to.

- Organised and reliable with a determined, can-do attitude

- Non-judgemental, empathetic and engaging

Note: Although this role will be heavily focussed on canine behaviour and training initially, the team works with other species including felines and equines. There will be opportunities for the right candidate to become involved in training and behavioural workshops for these animals.

Job Type: Part-time
Part-time hours: 32 per week

Salary: £10.57 per hour

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Flexitime
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Flexitime

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Carlisle: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 11/06/2023
Reference ID: CBTA 2023