Our Advanced Training Sitters care for the dogs in advanced training when they are not working with their trainer or instructor. This typically is done on weekends for most advanced dogs, however the dogs may also go to sitters for specific training needs during the week, when their trainer is unavailable or when the campus is closed. We are also looking for Advanced Training Sitters who might be able to take an advanced dog for sitting and training off campus throughout the week for a few weeks or longer.
Advanced Training Sitters build on the foundations laid in puppy-raising while also ensuring that the work and training being done by PADS training staff is further strengthened, reinforced, and maintained. The daily responsibility of an Advanced Training Sitter includes obedience, body handling/grooming, and behaviour modification activities as needed and directed by staff.
As with all PADS roles, being an Advanced Training Sitter requires commitment and dedication and is incredibly rewarding. This role differs from others in the organization in that your commitment is made to the program requirements rather than an individual dog – meaning you are part of a dynamic team that all work together to help every dog in advanced training succeed. This means the dog you are assigned may change from time to time (sometimes even week to week) to best support the success of dogs in advanced training.
Prior to filling out the application, please review the following to determine whether this is the right volunteer role for you at PADS.
The ideal PADS Advanced Sitter:
- enjoys working on structured training daily
- appreciates direct (and sometimes on the fly) feedback and the opportunity to grow in your skills
- is able to follow specialized instructions and willing to adapt on the fly to meet the needs of the dog
- enjoys working with a variety of dogs and would welcome a change of dog even if the change was on the day of pickup (note: it is the norm for advanced dogs to move regularly to different sitters, trainers or even regions during their time in advanced training)
- is detail-oriented and enjoy providing documentation/written feedback
Time commitment:
- Minimum 6-month commitment
- Weekend sitters: pick up your assigned dog on Friday afternoons and drop them off at the PADS campus on Monday mornings. (pick up and drop off times may vary)
- Weekday sitters: pick up and drop off dogs during the week as scheduled.
- 60 minutes of daily training (usually in several shorter sessions)
- Attending one 1-hour learning class (weekly or bi-weekly)
Requirements:
- Consistency and commitment are key: 60 minutes daily of training (usually in several shorter sessions) and dedicated care which includes:
- duration cues (obedience, etc)
- daily grooming and body handling exercises are essential for dogs in your care. They must be regularly socialized in various environments (stores, restaurants, etc). This may include requests to go on or avoid specific outings depending on the training challenges of the dog or matched client needs.
- Willingness to pick up dogs on Fridays and drop off dogs on Mondays (weekend sitters)
- Willingness to pick up dogs and drop off dogs as scheduled during the week (weekday sitters)
- Ability to follow video or written instructions and provide written feedback
- Physically able to handle a wide variety of dogs – including those that may pull on the leash (management tools may be used and will be provided to minimize risk of injury to the volunteer)
- Participation in training may be in-person on occasion (monthly or bi-monthly) and via online learning classes (weekly or bi-weekly)
- No previous dog training experience required
Benefits:
- Become a part of our amazing community of PADS volunteers and meet other like-minded people!
- Be an integral part of our dynamic training team.
- Feel a sense of accomplishment as dogs in your care graduate to become contributing members of society.
- Work with Advanced Trainers to continue training our dogs while you learn new skills.
- Learn about dog behaviour and proper dog house manners.
- Enjoy playtime with our dog while doing something good for your mental and physical health.
- Feel good about the part you've played in changing someone's life!
How to apply:
Please fill out our online volunteer application here.
