Professional Animal Care Specialist and Dog Handler
Location: Irthlingborough and surrounding areas
Starting rate: £12.71 per hour moving to £16 p/hr as competencies increase
Guaranteed work: Minimum payment equivalent to 30 hours per week
Vehicle: Company van provided to take home, with all work-related fuel paid
Schedule: Primarily Monday to Friday, with varied working times based on client bookings
Requirements: You must be 21 years or older, live locally within 7 miles from Wellingborough, and have a full UK driving licence.
Who we are
Paragon Pet Care is a specialist, premium pet-care company providing structured dog handling, multi-species care and trusted in-home services.
We do far more than take dogs out for exercise. Our team teaches dogs how to walk calmly, follow their handler, respond reliably and behave safely in real-world environments. We work with dogs that may be strong, untrained, nervous, reactive, recently rescued or subject to specific legal management requirements.
Our handlers are expected to observe behaviour, make sound decisions, reinforce training and maintain clear structure throughout every walk. This requires confidence, consistency and a genuine understanding of animal behaviour—not simply a love of dogs.
You will also be trusted to work inside private and high-value homes, often while owners are away, caring for a different variety of species. Discretion, security awareness, professionalism and respect for clients’ property are therefore essential.
We are looking for someone who wants to develop into a skilled professional animal-care handler, not someone seeking a casual or easy dog-walking job.
Build a professional career in animal care
Paragon Pet Care is looking for an experienced, dependable and adaptable animal-care professional to join our growing team.
This is a varied, hands-on role combining professional dog handling, multi-species pet care, animal-welfare monitoring and the management of clients’ homes while they are away.
Our work extends far beyond ordinary dog walking. Depending on our bookings, you may care for dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, poultry, parrots and other birds, reptiles, fish and a wide range of companion and exotic animals.
You will be trusted with animals, clients’ homes, a company vehicle and important welfare decisions. We therefore need someone who can remain calm under pressure, think critically and resolve unexpected situations safely without needing constant supervision.
In return, we offer guaranteed weekly pay, structured increases, a company van, paid fuel, professional equipment, veterinarian-led first-aid training and genuine opportunities to develop within the animal-care industry.
Paragon Pet Care is a specialist, premium pet-care company providing structured dog handling, multi-species care and trusted in-home services.
We do far more than take dogs out for exercise. Our team teaches dogs how to walk calmly, follow their handler, respond reliably and behave safely in real-world environments. We work with dogs that may be strong, untrained, nervous, reactive, recently rescued or subject to specific legal management requirements.
Our handlers are expected to observe behaviour, make sound decisions, reinforce training and maintain clear structure throughout every walk. This requires confidence, consistency and a genuine understanding of animal behaviour—not simply a love of dogs.
You will also be trusted to work inside private and high-value homes, often while owners are away. Discretion, security awareness, professionalism and respect for clients’ property are therefore essential.
We are looking for someone who wants to develop into a skilled professional animal-care handler, not someone seeking a casual or easy dog-walking job.
Guaranteed pay and progression
You will receive a guaranteed minimum weekly payment equivalent to 30 hours at your applicable hourly rate.
This payment remains guaranteed even when the number of available client assignments temporarily falls below 30 hours, subject to the terms of the contractor agreement and the required availability being provided.
Our structured pay progression rises to £16 p/hr.
Progression is subject to continued satisfactory performance, completion of required competencies and fulfilment of the terms of the contractor agreement.
Consistently high-performing team members may also receive a performance reward of up to £150 per month, based on agreed standards including reliability, quality of care, communication, professional development and overall performance.
Additional paid assignments
There are opportunities to earn additional income through:
Overnight stays are paid at a separate fixed fee determined by the requirements of the assignment.
Evening and weekend work is normally paid at the applicable standard rate, with occasional enhanced rates for particular assignments or high-demand periods.
The ideal candidate will be able to offer some flexibility for evening, weekend and overnight work, although these duties will vary according to bookings and will not necessarily be required every week.
What you will be doing
Your responsibilities will include:
The person we are looking for
This role suits someone who wants responsibility and a genuine career in professional animal care.
You should be able to:
Honesty is essential.
Essential requirements
Applicants must:
Applicants who can also offer occasional evening, weekend and overnight availability will be strongly preferred.
Please do not apply if you do not meet the location, driving or animal-care experience requirements.
Training and professional development
This is a training-led role with significant opportunities to develop professional animal-care knowledge.
Successful candidates must enrol in the Paragon Pet Care learning system and participate in our structured training and competency programme.
Training may cover:
Responsibilities are introduced gradually. You will begin with suitable visits, private walks and supported assignments before progressing to group walks or more challenging cases.
Progression is based on demonstrated safety, knowledge, judgment, reliability and practical competence.
Company vehicle, equipment and workwear
A company van will be provided for you to take home.
The van is not provided for general personal use.
Paragon Pet Care will pay for all authorised work-related fuel and provide the equipment and materials needed to complete your assignments.
Additional benefits
The role includes:
The realities of the role
Animal care is rewarding, but it is not always easy or predictable.
You will work outdoors in rain, wind, heat, mud and cold weather. Dogs may pull, jump, mouth, scratch, bark or require washing and cleaning. Some animals may be fearful, reactive or have a history of challenging behaviour.
Most days involve working independently. You will spend considerable time driving, walking, managing appointments and resolving problems on your own.
Schedules can change. Clients sometimes provide incomplete information. Animals do not always behave as expected. You must be able to adjust your approach while protecting the animal, yourself, the public and the client’s property.
Your mobile phone will be an essential work tool. You will use it to:
This role will suit someone who enjoys responsibility, independence, variety and continued learning.
It will not suit someone looking for an easy, quiet or entirely predictable job with animals.
Contract and future opportunities
The position is initially offered on a self-employed contractor basis.
An employed position may become available to the right candidate based on their performance, reliability, competence, availability, long-term suitability and the future requirements of the business.
Full details of the working arrangement, guaranteed payment, availability requirements, additional assignments and performance standards will be provided before the contractor agreement is entered into.
About Paragon Pet Care
Paragon Pet Care provides professional home-based animal care across the local area.
Our standards are built around:
Every team member directly affects the safety of the animals in our care and the reputation we have built with our clients.
We are looking for someone who wants to contribute to those standards and develop a genuine career in professional animal care.
How to apply
Please submit your CV and complete the application form on the Careers page of the Paragon Pet Care website.
Eurostaffs applicants must also apply through our website. Applications that do not complete this step may not be considered.
Pay: Up to £16.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: On the road
EuroStaffs operates in 19+ countries with around 150 staff and generates multi-million dollar annual revenue. It serves as a vertical search engine aggregating jobs, CV tools, career blogs, and admissions. Revenue comes from premium services for employers and institutions, while job seekers and students access applications, resume tools, and ads for free.
Arabic
Chinese
French
Russian
Spanish