Professional Dog Handler Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Dog Daycare Driver & Handler (Weekdays Only, No Nights/Weekends)
Schedule

Doggy Daycare Driver & Play Group Leader

AKA, Rascal Wrangler!

Monday – Friday  |  San Carlos → Half Moon Bay

Compensation, Schedule & Location

• Starting Pay: $22.50/hr during training (first 90 days)
• After 90 Days: $24/hr after successful training completion
• Schedule: Monday through Friday. No early mornings, nights, or weekends.
• Shifts: Five consistent shifts per week, 6.5–8 hours each. Reliable, predictable hours every week.
• Holidays: Closed on all major holidays + annual closure from December 25 – January 2.
• Work Location: Start and end in San Carlos in a company van. Pick up pups from the Peninsula, supervise play at Rascal Ranch in Half Moon Bay (7 acres), and return them home safely.
• Benefits: Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Time, Retirement plan, and a monthly cell phone stipend (medical/dental not provided).

About Us

Founded in 2001, Vicki’s Little Rascals is a trusted doggy daycare known for strict safety procedures, safe transport, exceptional customer service, and professionalism. Rascal Ranch is a custom-built, secure 7-acre playground designed to meet the specific needs and personalities of every dog in our care.

We are a small business, not a chain — every employee’s reliability, hustle, and positive energy directly contribute to our success. At the ranch, you’ll oversee off-leash play and lead pack walks across our 7-acre little slice of heaven.

What You’ll Love

✅  You Become Part of Their Family

Our clients trust you with the most important member of their household. The best wranglers build bonds so strong that dogs shake with excitement at the sound of the van and insist on riding shotgun. That connection is what we’re known for.

✅  Your Photos Make Someone’s Day — Every Day

Great photography is a real and valued skill here. Action shots, goofy moments, pure joy — you’ll learn to capture dogs at their absolute best, and clients feel it deeply. Some of our wranglers’ photos get forwarded across the country daily.

✅  Tech Is Part of How We Work

We run a tight, professional operation and technology is central to how we coordinate. You’ll use Slack for real-time team updates, along with other apps for managing dog profiles and routes. We’ll train you on our tools, but genuine comfort with technology is essential.

✅  Become a True Dog Professional

This isn’t just a job — it’s a chance to develop real expertise in dog behavior, body language, and pack management. You’ll learn to read dogs as individuals and intervene early when dynamics shift.

✅  Small Details Make a Big Difference

The wranglers clients rave about notice things others miss — a subtle limp, a behavioral shift, an allergy flare-up. That thoughtfulness is what separates good from exceptional.

✅  A True Team Environment

We support each other, step in without being asked, and carry the load together on heavy days. Every Wrangler is essential to keeping the day safe and the dogs happy.

✅  No Late Nights or Weekends

Five consistent weekday shifts with your evenings and weekends completely free.

What You’ll Do as a Rascal Wrangler

Transport & Safely Manage Dogs

• Drive a large passenger van confidently and safely. Prior experience with larger vehicles is great, but we’ll train the right candidate as long as you have solid general driving experience.
• Navigate pickups and drop-offs across the Peninsula. GPS is your best friend, but knowledge of the area is a real advantage.
• Lift, secure, and assist dogs weighing up to 80 lbs. in and out of the van throughout your shift.
• Scan the environment before every door opens, every pickup, and every drop-off. Vigilance is the job.

Supervise & Engage in Off-Leash Play

• Oversee group play in a large, dynamic outdoor setting — staying alert, moving constantly, and reading group dynamics in real time.
• Proactively redirect energy using perimeter walks, confident body language, and early intervention before issues escalate.
• Monitor every dog’s health and behavior throughout the day and flag changes to management immediately.
• React quickly — including running when necessary — to keep everyone safe.

Communicate & Keep Everyone Updated

• Capture action shots and candid photos that show dogs genuinely having the best day. This is one of the most valued parts of the job.
• Write short, engaging daily updates for each client (10–15 per day).
• Use Slack and our other platforms throughout the day to post route updates, flag issues, share dog notes, and stay in sync with the team. Timely, clear communication is non-negotiable.
• Confirm changes with teammates before acting — we coordinate as a team, not in silos.

Essential Job Functions & Physical Requirements

This is a physically active role that demands stamina, agility, and constant attentiveness.

• Standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and moving quickly for extended periods
• Handling dogs on and off-leash; navigating stairs, steep driveways, and uneven terrain
• Lifting, leashing, and restraining dogs up to 80 lbs.
• Driving a large passenger van for up to 4+ hours per shift with frequent stops and exits
• Working outdoors for extended periods in all weather conditions
• High-energy, sometimes noisy environment with exposure to pet hair, cleaning products, and pet waste

The Wrangler We’re Looking For

Over 25 years, we’ve learned that the people who thrive here share something beyond a love of dogs. They’re genuinely warm — the kind of person who says please and thank you, makes everyone feel at ease, and has the same effect on a nervous rescue who’s never been away from home before.

They’re active people who like being outside. A rainy Tuesday on the ranch isn’t something to complain about — the dogs still need their best day.

They’re detail people. They remember that Frankie needs the side door, that Bailey’s foe is the big lab in Zone 3, and that the Johnsons leave the leash by the garage. They don’t need to be reminded twice — because the details are the job.

They’re mature. They’ve held jobs before and understand that showing up on time, following directions, and doing the unglamorous work without complaint is just what a professional does. They don’t need to be managed into caring.

They’re positive in a real way. They don’t gossip or grumble. When something isn’t working, they bring it up directly, to the right person, respectfully. Then they move on.