Service Dog Trainer
”Choose a career you love and you will never work a day in your life.“
Job Title: Service Dog Trainer
Job Status: Independent Contractor Position
Organization Contact: Training Director
Location: Remote/Work from Home (USA only)
JOB INFORMATION
Basic Overview
Good Dog! Service Canines supports children with disabilities and their families through service dog partnerships. We are a nationwide community united by a belief in the human–canine bond and a commitment to helping Teams of Three live more independent lives.
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As a Good Dog! Service Dog Trainer, you will train service dogs from home for families of children with disabilities. This fully remote role is supervised virtually, with occasional opportunities to assist with dog transportation. Trainers provide safe housing, veterinary care, proper nutrition, and comprehensive training and socialization for assigned dogs. This position requires experience with advanced service dog tasks and polishing public access skills to a placement-ready standard, in alignment with ADI standards and relationship-based, positive training methods.
Time Commitment and Position Type
At this time, Good Dog! Service Canines is seeking experienced Service Dog Trainers for the following roles:
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Puppy Trainer (approx. 8 weeks–14 months | ~12-month commitment)
Puppy Trainers build the foundation for a service dog’s future career by developing basic and intermediate obedience, introducing public access skills, and supporting positive socialization and exposures. They are responsible for daily care, health, grooming, weight management, and coordinating veterinary care (costs covered by GD!SC).
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Finishing Trainer (approx. 14–22 months | ~6–8-month commitment)
Finishing Trainers advance a dog’s training by teaching complex service tasks, refining public access skills, and preparing the dog for placement with a family. They collaborate closely with Puppy Trainers to ensure a smooth transition and address any areas needing additional proofing or behavior support.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Dog Training & Development
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Train assigned dogs in basic and advanced obedience, public access behaviors, and core and custom service-dog tasks in accordance with Assistance Dogs International (ADI) standards.
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Provide appropriate socialization, desensitization, and public access exposure based on each dog’s developmental stage.
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Address and modify behavior concerns to ensure readiness for service-dog work.
Veterinary Care & Health Management (costs covered by Good Dog!)
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Schedule and attend veterinary appointments, including routine exams and required evaluations.
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Administer approved medications and preventatives in accordance with program guidelines and maintain complete and accurate health records.
Board & Care
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Provide a safe and appropriate home environment for assigned dogs throughout the training period, including daily care such as feeding, grooming, exercise, and maintaining a healthy body condition in accordance with program guidelines.
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Utilize approved dog sitters as needed to ensure continuity of care.
Documentation & Reporting
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Maintain required documentation related to training progress and health, including training logs, medical updates, benchmark evaluations, and training videos.
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Attend and contribute to team meetings as available.
Matching, Placement & Team Preparation
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Contribute accurate dog profiles and training insights to support client-dog matching decisions.
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Provide input on supplies needed for team training and homecoming.
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Submit final training videos demonstrating completed commands prior to team training.
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Communicate regularly with Good Dog! staff regarding progress, placement readiness, and updates.
Transport & Graduate Support
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Assist with transport and delivery of dogs to team training as needed (costs covered by Good Dog!).
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Provide post-placement training support related to assigned dogs, as needed.
REQUIREMENTS
Training & Professional Experience
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Minimum of two years experience as a service dog trainer with an (ADI)–accredited organization,
OR successful completion of the Apprentice Trainer program at Good Dog! Service Canines,
OR a minimum of four successful service-dog placements with clients. -
Demonstrated experience using relationship-based, positive reinforcement training and behavior modification methods.
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Strong working knowledge of best practices in canine behavior, care, safety, and welfare.
Professional Skills & Work Style
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Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment.
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Demonstrated professionalism and discretion in handling confidential information.
Housing & Care Capacity
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Ability to provide a safe, stable home environment for assigned dog(s) during extended training periods (typically 6–12+ months).
Essential Requirements
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Physically able to safely handle dogs up to 80 pounds, move quickly as needed, navigate stairs, and comfortably get up and down while working and interacting with dogs.
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Proficiency in Google Workspace tools (including Drive, Docs, Calendar, and file sharing) and reliable access to the internet, a smartphone, and a computer with video capabilities.
Good Dog! Service Canines does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, disability, age, genetic condition, marital status, military status, or any other protected status.
As an Independent Contractor, you are responsible for following the state and federal regulations that apply to your location.