Dog Care Handler

Job Description

Job Description

The Dog Stop | Cumming – MidwayDog Care HandlerPosition 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.

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 dog's 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 dog's 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 dog's 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 Stop's daycare, boarding, grooming, enrichment, Delights, retail, and training services.

• Identify opportunities to enhance a dog's 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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

• Employee's 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

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.

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.