Now Hiring: Kennel Technician Full-Time, Permanent Role

At CDT, great training doesn't happen without great support. Our Kennel Technician(s) are the backbone of our operations, the people who makes sure every dog is cared for, every space is clean, and every detail is tracked so our training programs run exactly the way they're supposed to.

This is a full-time, permanent position based at our 40-acre property east of Calgary. It's physical, structured, and deeply important work. And for the right person, it's just the beginning...we're committed to growing a junior/apprentice trainer from within our team.

What the Job Actually Looks Like

Your day involves structured potty breaks, decompression walks in nature, feeding routines, and tracking for dogs in our Board and Train and Stay Camp programs. You'll clean and maintain our (brand-new) facility and kennel areas to a high standard. You'll prep for client pickups and dog intakes, support class and lesson logistics, and help maintain the grounds at Parks for Pets, our private off-leash park.

You'll handle dogs at all stages, including those working through reactivity, arousal, or fear, with calm, neutral, consistent energy. You won't be doing formal training, but you'll understand and respect the training process, and follow protocols exactly as directed.

Why We Do This

We're not just running dogs through a program. We're changing the relationship between dogs and their owners, and we take that seriously.

We laugh a lot. We occasionally cry. We genuinely celebrate when a reactive dog walks past another dog without losing their mind, or when a family gets their dog back. We care deeply about the animals in our care and the people who trust us with them.

This is a team that's all in, and we're looking for someone who wants to be all in with us.

Who You Are

Here's the tangible, typical stuff we're looking for:

• You have experience handling dogs (kennel, shelter, daycare, vet clinic, or similar)

• You're calm and grounded around dogs with big personalities or behaviour challenges

• You have a deep commitment to cleanliness, organization, and consistent routines

• You communicate clearly, follow systems, and take ownership without being asked

• You have reliable personal transportation — we're east of Calgary with no transit access

• You're looking for a long-term role with a team

But, we also have pretty high expectations and expect:

• You show up. Not just when it's convenient but also when it's -30°, when you're tired, when it's a Sunday.

• You have grit. There will be hard days, messy days, and days you'd rather be anywhere else. The right person does the job anyway.

• You understand what's at stake. These dogs can't go with their needs unmet. They're in an active training programs with owners counting on our training outcomes. Your reliability directly impacts their progress.

• You don't call in for a bad hair day. Genuine emergencies happen and we're compassionate about it. But if your threshold for "I can't make it in" is low, this isn't the right fit.

• You're tools-neutral and open-minded. CDT uses a balanced training approach that includes slip leads, prong collars, and e-collars used correctly and humanely. If that makes you uncomfortable, this role isn't the right fit.

• You respect the process, even when you're still learning it. You don't need to be a trainer but you do need to trust that our methods are ethical, effective, and in the dog's best interest.

  
  

This is not a seasonal or short-term position. We're adding to our team, and we want someone who wants to be part of it.

Compensation & Schedule

• $15–$17/hour based on experience

• Full-time, permanent

• Days, evenings, and weekends

• Typical shifts: 5 days per week, 8 hours per shift

Growth Opportunity

CDT is invested in developing talent from within. For the right candidate, this role has a clear path into a junior trainer / apprentice trainer position — learning directly from our team in a structured, hands-on environment.

How to Apply

Email info@caninedevelopmentandtesting.com and tell us a bit about yourself. Your experience with dogs, what draws you to this kind of work, and why you think you'd be a strong fit for our team.