Create a healthier, brighter future for pets, pet parents and people!

If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets, people and our planet.

We love all pets like our ownWe’re the future of the pet industryWe’re here to improve livesWe drive outstanding results togetherWe’re welcome as we are

Petco is a category-defining health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents and Petco partners. We are 29,000 strong, working together across 1,500+ pet care centers, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics, eight distribution centers and two support centers.   

The Dog Training Apprentice position is a combination of a store partner role while completing the Dog Training Instructor Program (DTIP) to become a Petco certified Positive Dog Trainer. As the Dog Training Apprentice, you must follow Petco’s Positive Dog Training curriculums and methodologies. You must be committed to and show genuine interest in enhancing communication and teamwork between dog and pet parent by offering positive solutions and rewarding success while providing a fun and safe environment for dogs, pet parents and store partners.

What you'll do:
Provide pet parents with exceptional dog training instruction and customer service by acting as a subject matter expert for Petco’s Positive Dog Training Program products, services and in-store promotions, to our canine pet friends and their pet parents, helping them strengthen their bond through fun and educational training. A Dog Training Apprentice will be a resource in the store regarding Petco’s Positive Dog Training Program and assist in the achievement of the store’s budgeted sales goals by driving sales, while educating and engaging all store partners.

Key Accountabilities:
The incumbent must be able to perform all of the following duties and responsibilities with or without a reasonable accommodation.

- Upon hiring, must successfully complete (within established timeline) Petco’s Dog Training Instructor Program course and associated Petco onboarding.
- Must confidently perform all tasks & duties as outlined in Petco’s Dog Training Instructor Program upon completion.
- Complete and maintain other MyLearningCenter courses as assigned.
- Existing Petco partners must successfully complete (within established timeline) Dog Training Instructor Program course.
- Must adhere to DTIP training schedule as set forth by Dog Training Mentor.
- Reports to an established Petco Positive Dog Trainer Mentor for all instructional curriculum.
- Learn and apply the positive training philosophies of the Petco Positive Dog Training Program.
- Through observing and role playing, employ ascertained Dog Training customer engagement and enrollment skills leading to class enrollment.
- Is effective in a variety of formal presentation settings and can command attention, establish clear directions and create a climate that motivates others.
- Must ensure a safe dog training environment for pet parents, customers, dogs and Petco partners.
- Commit to enhancing communication and teamwork between dog and pet parent by offering positive solutions and rewarding success.
- Interact professionally and effectively with all pet parents and store partners regarding Dog Training or other pet services.
- Be a Dog Training related resource in store to support consistent achievement of targeted goals and exhibit the ability to enlist the aid and support to accomplish common tasks.
- Learn how to promote Dog Training classes with G.U.E.S.T.+ model by engaging pet parents and provide solutions to various training challenges, and suggest products needed to assist in solving those issues within established guidelines.
- Become familiar with Dog Trainer tools as defined in operational guidelines (such as calendars, flyers, business cards, local store marketing, build an event) and how partners utilize as part of G.U.E.S.T.+ to drive the Dog Training business.
- Begin forming relationships with store management, store partners, grooming partners, 3rd party services vendors and local adoption partners and be familiar with Petco’s Think Adoption First philosophy.
- Be familiar with all new products and services in order to be able to engage with customers regarding new product and services features and benefits.
- Learn to set, capture, record and reward Dog Training class selling targets with all partners and General Manager.
- Understand class scheduling methodology to support all Dog Training curricula offerings and progression of pet learning.
- Learn how to execute both national and local policies and procedures related to the delivery of Positive Dog Training classes with Petco pet parents, including operations, safety, and loss prevention measures.
- Gain full understanding of Dog Training class related materials and tools available for store order through Online Supply System and partner with the Dog and Cat Department Manager to ensure all products are in stock and available in store at all times.
- Learn and begin to employ suggestive enrollment techniques and how these techniques drive dog training enrollments to meet and exceed budget.
- Become familiar with current store promotions and special services.
- Understand Dog Trainer responsibilities in maintaining area cleanliness and equipment per Operational guidelines and Policy and Procedures. This includes but is not limited to maintaining dog training barriers, dog training kiosk and associated signage.
- Gain understanding of how the role of Dog Trainer advocates in own store and local area to consistently represent Petco’s positive atmosphere and culture by positively communicating with dogs, pet parents, store partners and your community.

Work Environment:
The majority of job duties are conducted indoors, although merchandise stocking and customer carry-outs will require that an associate leave the store briefly. Position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 50 pounds, as necessary) and standing for long periods of time. The large majority of this associate’s time will be spent in direct contact with our customers and their dogs. During Dog Training Instructor Program travel to mentor store may be required.

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.

The pay ranges outlined below are presented in accordance with state-specific regulations. These ranges may differ in other areas and could be subject to variation based on regulatory minimum wage requirements. Actual pay rates will depend on factors such as position, location, level of experience, and applicable state or local minimum wage laws. If the regulatory minimum wage exceeds the minimum indicated in the pay range below, the regulatory minimum wage will be the minimum rate applied.

$15.00 - $21.00

Hourly or Salary Range will be reflected above. For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO -see https://careers.petco.com/us/en/key-benefits

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