Dog Care Handler

The Dog Stop Cumming Midway

Dog Care Handler

Position Summary

The Dog Care Handler is responsible for providing safe attentive and compassionate care to dogs participating in daycare boarding and other services at The Dog Stop Cumming Midway.

This is a hands-on position that requires team members to actively supervise dogs maintain clean and safe play and boarding environments follow established feeding and medication procedures recognize changes in canine behavior or health and communicate concerns promptly to leadership.

Dog Care Handlers play an important role in creating an exceptional experience for both our dogs and their families. Team members are expected to demonstrate reliability attention to detail teamwork professionalism and a genuine commitment to animal safety and well-being.

Key Responsibilities

Dog Supervision & Safety

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Actively supervise dogs in indoor and outdoor play yards at all times.

• Monitor canine body language play styles energy levels and group dynamics.

• Recognize signs of stress fear fatigue illness injury or inappropriate behavior and respond according to Company procedures.

• Maintain appropriate dog-to-handler ratios and follow established playgroup assignments.

• Safely introduce move separate and rotate dogs as directed.

• Use approved slip leads handling techniques and safety procedures.

• Follow all policies regarding VIP dogs independent players and dogs requiring individual rotations.

• Immediately report injuries incidents unusual behavior or safety concerns to a Lead or Manager.

• Never leave a playgroup unattended.

Boarding & Daily Care

• Provide attentive care to boarding and daycare dogs throughout the shift.

• Follow each dogs Travel Ticket and documented care instructions.

• Assist with kennel rotations potty breaks feeding water bedding and other daily care requirements.

• Ensure dogs have access to clean water as required.

• Monitor food consumption and accurately document whether a dog ate all some or none of its meal.

• Pay particular attention to dogs showing changes in eating drinking elimination energy level or behavior.

• Keep kennels boarding areas play yards and common dog-care areas clean and organized.

Feeding & Medication

• Follow all established feeding and medication procedures exactly as documented.

• Verify the correct dog medication dosage and administration instructions before medications are given.

• Medications must be administered according to the prescription label and Company procedures.

• Never place medications into a dogs food unless specifically permitted under an approved procedure.

• Accurately document completion of assigned feeding and medication responsibilities.

• Immediately notify a Lead or Manager of missed medications medication discrepancies refusal to eat vomiting diarrhea or other concerns.

• Never guess or make independent changes to a dogs feeding or medication instructions.

Cleaning & Sanitation

• Clean and sanitize kennels play yards food and water bowls equipment and other dog-care areas according to established procedures.

• Promptly clean urine feces vomit spills and other messes.

• Perform laundry dishes trash removal sweeping mopping and other routine facility-cleaning responsibilities.

• Follow appropriate chemical handling dilution sanitation and storage procedures.

• Help maintain a facility that is clean organized odor-controlled and ready for customers and dogs throughout the day.

• Report damaged equipment maintenance concerns or potential safety hazards promptly.

Enrichment & Activities

• Conduct approved play-yard activities and enrichment exercises.

• Provide individual or group enrichment services as assigned.

• Complete scheduled enrichment sessions and accurately document their completion.

• Take photos or videos of dogs when requested for customer updates enrichment documentation or Company social media.

• Help create a positive engaging environment rather than simply monitoring dogs from the sidelines.

Customer Experience & Sales Support

While Dog Care Handlers are primarily responsible for animal care every team member contributes to the customer experience and success of the business.

• Greet customers professionally and courteously when interacting with them.

• Be knowledgeable about The Dog Stops daycare boarding grooming enrichment Delights retail and training services.

• Identify opportunities to enhance a dogs stay through appropriate services or enrichment.

• Communicate observations that may help the front desk or management recommend grooming nail care enrichment or other services.

• Help reinforce a positive professional image of The Dog Stop at all times.

Documentation & Communication

Dog Care Handlers are expected to accurately complete required documentation including:

• Travel Tickets

• Feeding records

• Medication records

• Enrichment documentation

• Break Board entries

• Cleaning or facility checklists

• Incident or injury documentation

• Other operational records assigned by management

Team members must communicate important information during shift changes and immediately escalate significant health behavioral medication or safety concerns to a Lead or Manager.

Team Responsibilities

• Arrive on time and prepared for each scheduled shift.

• Maintain reliable attendance.

• Follow instructions provided by Dog Care Leads Assistant Managers the General Manager and ownership.

• Assist coworkers during high-volume periods.

• Participate in required meetings and training.

• Follow Company policies contained in the Employee Handbook and established SOPs.

• Maintain professional communication with coworkers customers and leadership.

• Accept coaching and demonstrate a willingness to learn and improve.

• Help maintain an environment based on safety accountability teamwork and respect.

Qualifications

Required

• Must be dependable and comfortable working directly with dogs of different breeds sizes ages and temperaments.

• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Ability to remain calm and make appropriate decisions in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

• Willingness to clean and perform physically demanding tasks.

• Reliable transportation and consistent attendance.

• Ability to work weekends and holidays as scheduled.

Previous professional animal-care experience is preferred but not required. Training will be provided for candidates who demonstrate the appropriate attitude reliability and willingness to learn.

Physical Requirements

This is an active physically demanding position. Team members must be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods.

• Frequently bend kneel squat reach and move throughout the facility.

• Safely handle dogs of various sizes.

• Lift and carry up to approximately 50 pounds independently and request assistance for heavier loads when appropriate.

• Work indoors and outdoors in varying temperatures and weather conditions.

• Work around barking dogs cleaning products water pet hair odors and other conditions common to an animal-care facility.

• Quickly respond to situations involving dogs when necessary for safety.

Schedule

The Dog Stop Cumming Midway operates seven days per week. Dog Care Handlers may be scheduled for mornings afternoons evenings weekends and holidays based on business and animal-care needs.

Boarding dogs require care regardless of whether the facility is open to the public. Holiday and peak-period availability is therefore an important part of this position.

Employee Benefits & Perks

Eligible team members may have access to benefits and perks including:

• Paid Time Off (PTO) subject to eligibility requirements

• Paid holidays when applicable under Company policy

• 401(k) benefits subject to plan eligibility

• Employees dog may accompany them to work at no charge subject to Company policies and behavioral requirements

• 50% discount on boarding and daycare when the employee is not working

• 20% discount on retail purchases

• 20% discount on spa and grooming services when performed by another team member

• Training and advancement opportunities

Growth Opportunities

The Dog Stop Cumming Midway believes in developing strong team members from within. Dog Care Handlers who demonstrate reliability leadership strong canine-handling skills attention to detail and consistent performance may be considered for advancement into positions such as:

Dog Care Lead Dog Care Manager / Assistant Manager Additional Leadership Opportunities

Team members may also have opportunities to develop skills in dog training grooming customer service sales marketing or other areas of the business.

Performance Expectations

Successful Dog Care Handlers consistently demonstrate:

• Safety First Protecting the dogs customers and team.

• Accountability Completing assigned responsibilities correctly and consistently.

• Attention to Detail Following care instructions and documenting work accurately.

• Communication Reporting concerns quickly and clearly.

• Teamwork Supporting coworkers and contributing to the entire operation.

• Customer Focus Helping create an experience that earns customer trust and repeat business.

• Continuous Improvement Accepting feedback and developing stronger animal-care skills.