Dog Trainer in Edinburgh

Transform lives through dog training by training high quality assistance dogs and providing support and appropriate training throughout all stages of the dog's development using positive and reward-based training methods. Make a tangible difference and build meaningful partnerships in your community.

About Canine Partners: At Canine Partners, we breed, train, and support expert assistance dogs to create loving, life-changing partnerships with disabled people. Across the UK, we support people with a variety of physical disabilities and their families, carefully matching them with a dog that suits their needs, personality, and lifestyle. Our dogs bring confidence and independence, love and companionship, reducing reliance on carers and giving people the freedom to live life their own way.

The Role:

• Position: Dog Trainer
• Hours: 22.5 hours per week
• Location: Homebased covering West Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, East Sussex and Kent
• Travel: This role will involve regular travel within the geographical area which you will cover (Kent, London and parts of Surrey and East Sussex). Travel is usually by car; however, there may be some use of public transport (e.g., to London). Occasional regional travel and overnight stays.

You will play a vital role in training assistance dogs to a high standard whilst supporting volunteers, partners and the wider team to ensure the health, wellbeing and successful placement of the dogs throughout their working career.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Train Canine Partners dogs at all stages of their training, using positive and reward-based training.
• Tailor training programmes to suit individual partner needs during the matching process.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for all dogs in training.
• Deliver partnership placement courses, supporting both the partner and dog through the transition.
• Participate in volunteer recruitment activities, including events, social media campaigns and community outreach.

About You:

• Strong practical and theoretical experience in dog training and behaviour.
• Ability to handle and train dogs at all ages, using positive and reward-based training methods.
• ABTC-ATI or similar qualification could be beneficial but not essential. If you do not have a qualification, the willingness to complete it.
• Good communication and coaching/teaching skills.
• Good self-motivation and initiative.
• ICT skills, Microsoft Office, Salesforce (desirable but can offer training), email, internet etc.
• Full UK clean driving license and use of a vehicle for work that is suitable to safely transport a dog if required.
• Most importantly, you will be passionate about the transformative impact that our assistance dogs provide to our beneficiaries.

Ready to Make a Difference? If you are excited about this role, don't hesitate to apply! We welcome applicants who bring unique perspectives and would be delighted to hear from you. Please apply online with a comprehensive CV and supporting statement explaining how you believe you match the requirements of the role.

Please note if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close this advertisement prior to the closing date so apply now to ensure you don't miss out! Please be assured that we contact all candidates regarding the outcome of their application; this may take longer if we receive high volumes of applications.

Closing date: 5th July 2026. We recognise the benefit of diverse experience and welcome and encourage applications from all sections of the community. We are a disability confident committed employer.