Dog Trainer

Dog Star Rescue is seeking a compassionate, knowledgeable, and team oriented Dog Trainer to support the behavioral wellbeing and adoptability of dogs in our rescue program. This role focuses not only on working directly with rescue dogs, but also on educating and supporting fosters, volunteers, and adopters so dogs can successfully transition into successful home environments.

The ideal candidate understands the unique needs of rescue dogs, recognizes stress and behavioral challenges early, and is passionate about helping both dogs and people succeed.

This position reports to the Dog Star Rescue Behavior Team and Board of Directors.

• Evaluate rescue dogs and identify behavioral needs, stress signals, handling concerns, and training goals

• Develop and implement individualized training and enrichment plans for dogs in rescue care

• Work hands on with dogs needing basic manners, confidence building, leash skills, socialization, and behavior support

• Identify dogs requiring more advanced behavioral intervention and communicate recommendations to the behavior team

• Support safe introductions, handling practices, and behavior management strategies

• Provide coaching and ongoing support to foster families working with rescue dogs in the home

• Teach fosters how to safely and effectively reinforce training plans and manage common behavior challenges

• Hold group classes, workshops, or training sessions for fosters, volunteers, and adopters

• Educate volunteers on canine body language, stress signals, leash handling, decompression needs, and safe dog interactions

• Help create training resources, handouts, and educational materials for rescue volunteers and fosters

• Attend adoption events as needed to support dog handlers, volunteers, and foster teams

• Ensure dogs are being safely and appropriately handled during events

• Coach volunteers on leash handling, spacing between dogs, stress recognition, and appropriate interactions with the public

• Monitor dogs for signs of overwhelm or stress and help advocate for their needs during events

• Assist with setting dogs up for successful public interactions and adoptions

• Work collaboratively with the Behavior Team, foster coordinators, kennel staff, and leadership

• Maintain clear communication regarding behavioral concerns, training progress, and recommendations

• Participate in behavior discussions and support decision making related to dog placement and care plans

• Experience working with dogs in rescue, shelter, training, veterinary, or behavior settings

• Strong understanding of canine body language, stress signals, fear based behaviors, and humane handling techniques

• Experience teaching or coaching people in dog handling and training skills preferred

• Ability to work compassionately with both dogs and people in high stress environments

• Strong communication, leadership, and teamwork skills

• Positive reinforcement based training philosophy required

• Ability to handle dogs of varying sizes, energy levels, and behavioral needs

• Professional dog training certification or equivalent hands on experience

• Experience working with foster based rescue organizations

• Experience managing behavior cases or conducting behavioral assessments

• Experience leading group classes or educational workshops

• Flexible schedule including some evenings and weekends for adoption events and training classes

• Ability to travel to foster homes, adoption events, and rescue locations as needed

• Commitment to the mission and values of Dog Star Rescue

This role is designed to strengthen the support system around our rescue dogs by empowering fosters, volunteers, and adopters with the tools they need to help dogs succeed. We believe training is not only about teaching dogs, but also about educating and supporting the people caring for them.