Dog Bather / Grooming Assistant
Endless Pawsibilities Canine Enrichment Retreat is hiring a dependable, energetic, and compassionate Dog Bather / Grooming Assistant to join our team.
This position is responsible for bathing, drying, brushing, and assisting with basic grooming services for dogs of all breeds, sizes, coat types, and temperaments. The ideal candidate is comfortable working hands-on with dogs, physically capable of handling a fast-paced environment, and committed to providing safe, patient, and high-quality care.
This is a hands-on animal-care position. Applicants must be comfortable getting wet, dirty, covered in dog hair, and working with dogs who may be nervous, energetic, resistant, vocal, or unfamiliar with the grooming process.
Responsibilities
Duties may include:
- Bathing dogs of all breeds and sizes
- Selecting and properly using shampoos and conditioners
- Thoroughly rinsing coats
- Towel drying and force drying dogs
- Brushing and combing coats
- Removing loose undercoat and shedding hair
- Cleaning ears as trained and assigned
- Trimming nails as trained and assigned
- Brushing teeth as assigned
- Assisting with de-shedding services
- Preparing dogs for the groomer
- Safely transferring dogs to and from lodging, daycare, or grooming areas
- Following handling and safety procedures for nervous, fearful, reactive, or difficult dogs
- Monitoring dogs for signs of stress, discomfort, skin irritation, injury, ear concerns, lumps, sores, or other abnormalities
- Reporting concerns to the groomer or management immediately
- Cleaning and disinfecting tubs, tables, floors, kennels, equipment, and bathing areas
- Washing and organizing towels and grooming laundry
- Cleaning hair from drains, floors, walls, equipment, and work areas
- Restocking shampoos, conditioners, towels, and other supplies
- Keeping the grooming and bathing areas clean, safe, and organized
- Assisting the groomer with dog handling when needed
- Communicating with management regarding completed services, concerns, or delays
What We Are Looking For
The ideal candidate is:
- Dependable and punctual
- Comfortable working with dogs of all sizes and breeds
- Patient and calm when handling nervous or difficult dogs
- Physically capable of lifting, bending, kneeling, standing, and working on their feet for extended periods
- Comfortable working in a wet, noisy, fast-paced environment
- Able to follow detailed instructions
- Willing to learn proper dog handling and bathing techniques
- Detail-oriented and able to notice skin, coat, ear, nail, or behavior concerns
- Able to work efficiently without sacrificing safety or quality
- Comfortable cleaning up urine, feces, vomit, hair, water, and other messes
- Able to work independently while also functioning as part of a team
- Respectful of dogs and committed to humane, safe handling practices
Experience
Previous dog bathing, grooming, kennel, veterinary, daycare, boarding, or animal-handling experience is preferred but not required for the right candidate.
We are willing to train someone who is dependable, physically capable, comfortable with dogs, and willing to learn.
Professional grooming experience is not required for this position.
Physical Requirements
This is a physically demanding position that may require:
- Standing for extended periods
- Frequent bending, lifting, reaching, kneeling, and squatting
- Lifting and assisting dogs of various sizes
- Working with large and strong dogs
- Handling wet and slippery dogs safely
- Working around water, dryers, noise, dog hair, odors, and cleaning products
- Repetitive brushing, bathing, drying, and cleaning movements
- Maintaining safe control of dogs during bathing and drying
Applicants must understand that some dogs may pull, resist handling, shake water, bark, move continuously, or require additional patience and assistance.
Important
This position is much more than playing with dogs.
A typical day may involve being wet, covered in dog hair, lifting dogs, cleaning tubs and floors, doing laundry, removing hair from drains, drying thick-coated dogs, and patiently working with dogs who do not enjoy baths.
We are looking for someone who takes pride in sending dogs home clean, comfortable, and well cared for.
Safety, patience, attention to detail, and proper handling are more important than rushing through appointments.
Job Type: Full-time or Part-time
Work Location: In person
Endless Pawsibilities Canine Enrichment Retreat is a fast-paced canine boarding, daycare, training, and grooming facility. Our team is committed to providing safe, thoughtful, and individualized care for every dog who enters our facility.
Pay: From $12.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
