Behaviour Officer

Want to help get tails wagging again? We are looking for someone who can assess, design and implement behavioural rehabilitation for our dogs joining us in our centres.
As Behaviour Officer, you'll take the lead, figuratively and literally, when it comes to the assessments of our dogs and their training programmes. You'll play a key role in supporting adopters, during the adoption process and after rehoming, to ensure that every dog has the best possible chance of successfully settling into their new life.

Application Deadline October 21, 2025 Department Rehoming Employment Type Permanent - Full Time Location West Calder Workplace type Onsite Compensation £25,556 per year + benefits

What does this role do?

As a Behaviour Officer You'll

• assess the behaviour of dogs, before they enter the centre and during their stay, to identify potential behaviour needs, as per Dogs Trust Standard Operating Procedures.
• design and implement Behaviour Modification Programmes and training plans to enhance each dog's chances of rehoming, in support of the centre's priorities based on individual dog welfare and requirements.
• oversee and support the implementation of training and behaviour plans by colleagues. Work with other departments to modify and seek guidance.
• monitor the progress of individual training and rehabilitation programmes and maintain detailed records of the progress of each dog. Provide professional training, support and assessment colleagues.

Interviews for this role are provisionally scheduled for week commencing 27th October at our rehoming centre in West Calder.

Could this be you?

To be successful in this role, you'll have a thorough knowledge of dog behaviour and welfare, including understanding the principles underlying learning and the ability to write training and behaviour programs. You'll also have achieved ATBC competence at Animal Trainer level and have achieved specific competences from the Behaviour Technician standard. You'll have excellent communication skills with the ability to handle delicate situations sensitively and professionally and have the ability to and experience in handling difficult dogs. But above all, you'll be passionate and committed to the work of Dogs Trust.

What does this team do?

Our rehoming centres house thousands of dogs each year until they are able to find a loving new home, and the success of our centres wouldn't be possible without our dedicated team of staff and volunteers; there is a real family-community within each of our centres. Come rain or shine, our team are out in all weathers to make sure the dogs have the best possible life. Dealing with thousands of visitors each month, our rehoming centres are the face of Dogs Trust and we pride ourselves on our staff providing the very best in customer service.

About Dogs Trust
We love dogs. That's why we do whatever we can to make sure every four-legged friend gets the love they deserve. We'll never put a healthy dog down, so our work is focused on helping dogs in need, supporting owners every step of the walk, and creating a better world for dogs in the future. It's what we've been doing since 1891 and how we've grown to become the UK's leading dog charity, helping 12,000 loyal friends find their forever homes every year.

Documents

Job Description - Behaviour Officer (september 2025)
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How can we help

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Benefits guide [2023]

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To apply for this position please click the APPLY NOW button. Our application process requires you submit a personal statement explaining your interest and suitability for the role.
Dogs are incredibly diverse, much like the humans that love them At Dogs Trust we value diversity, and we're committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, and cultures and believe that a diverse workforce helps us to achieve our mission. Our colleague networks give our people a voice, acting as vehicles for real and meaningful change within Dogs Trust. We truly want to see every candidate shine throughout the entire job application process, interview stages, and during their time with us. If there's anything on your mind or any adjustments you may need, don't hesitate to reach out to us. Feel free to send us an email at We're here to support you every step of the way.

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