Join the Pack at Top Dog SF!
Love dogs? Thrive outdoors? Top Dog SF is hiring Dog Ranch Assistants to help our four-legged clients play safe, stay moving, and have the best day of their week at our private ranch in Montara, CA. If you love being outside, love dogs of all shapes, sizes and temperaments, and thrive in an active, hands-on role, this is your job.
Why Work With Us?
- Competitive Pay: Starting at $20/hour.
- Flexible Schedule: Part-time, Monday–Friday, approx. 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
Perks & Benefits:
◦ Paid sick time (up to 80 hours/year)
◦ Pay raises and incentives after 90 days
◦ Referral bonuses for bringing in new clients or employees
◦ Employer-sponsored IRA through CalSavers
◦ Paid training and ongoing professional development
- Work-Life Balance: A consistent schedule, spent outdoors at our private, natural dog ranch in Montara, CA — no two days look the same.
Your Role as a Dog Ranch Assistant
You'll be the heart of the ranch — keeping dogs safe, engaged, and moving throughout every outing. Your day-to-day includes:
- Supervising group play and keeping dogs under threshold, proactively engaging them with fetch, follow-the-leader, recall, and name recognition so every dog gets real enrichment, not just downtime.
- Prioritizing safe arrivals — greeting dogs as they unload, calling them away from gates and fence lines, and keeping the first 15–20 minutes of each outing closely supervised, since that's when dogs are most excited and most likely to scuffle.
- Giving one-on-one attention to dogs who need it: puppies, shy or reactive dogs, high-energy dogs, or new arrivals being introduced to the group.
- Rotating dogs between pens and fields to keep play fresh and prevent boredom-driven conflict.
- Monitoring dogs while they go to the bathroom — watching for health concerns, discouraging coprophagia, and keeping areas clean.
- Communicating clearly and consistently over radio with walkers and teammates, especially before moving between pens.
- Setting up and closing down the ranch: unlocking/locking gates, setting out and removing water bowls, keeping equipment secured, and general tidy-up before dogs arrive or after they leave.
- Reminding drivers/walkers of leash and drag-line requirements, safe introductions, and radio/treat protocols as needed.
- Reporting any change in a dog's body language, health, or behavior to supervisors right away.
- Creating fun, shareable photo and video content of the dogs for social media.
- Helping with basic ranch upkeep between groups — poop pickup, minor repairs, refilling water, and other light maintenance.
What You Bring to the Team
- A genuine love of dogs and comfort working outdoors in all weather conditions.
- A proactive, dependable, detail-oriented approach — you keep moving and stay tuned into the dogs rather than standing around.
- Strong communication skills, both with dogs and with teammates over radio.
- The ability to follow safety protocols and instructions from walkers, trainers, and managers precisely.
- Physical stamina — capable of being on your feet the entire shift and lifting up to 75 lbs.
Preferred Qualifications:
◦ High school diploma or equivalent
◦ At least 6 months of experience working or volunteering with animals
◦ Reliable personal transportation
What Makes Top Dog SF Special?
- Reputation: 5-star reviews on Google and Yelp.
- Recognition: Award-winning dog walking and pet care services.
- Growth Opportunities: Ongoing professional training and advancement.
- Outdoor Fun: An active, dynamic job in a beautiful natural setting.
- Community Roots: A well-established company with a loyal client base.
Apply Today!
Ready to turn your love for dogs into a rewarding career? Visit us at topdogsf.com and follow us on Instagram @topdogsf.
Your dream job awaits — apply now and join the Top Dog SF Team!
Pay: $20.00 - $22.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
