Kennel Hand

Puppy Minder contractor has fun, but serious responsibilities, preparing the pups for their new homes. We are a small team of 2 to 3 people, looking for a happy, fun individual, who will get down and dirty, playing with the puppies but still work to a very high standard at the not-so-great daily tasks. Earning potential Approx. £297.00 to £600.00 per week plus Full Board and Lodging. The role is to provide **a service** to help a licensed breeder, with 30 years’ experience, who produces, well socialised purpose bred family pets and working sheepdogs with a high health status. You will be helping ease the extra workload which will be created by the imminent arrival and rearing of new litters, don’t forget that there are also loads of fun and games with the pups. You will also be providing extra cover whilst the business is moving to a new premisis near Derby, Derbyshire over the next few months. Ideally, this contract is for **a period 12 weeks** and is **a live in**, unless you are within reasonable commuting distance. It is **IMMEDIATE START,** and it could be primarily an education/mentoring opportunity for you to learn about high standards of dog breeding, puppy rearing and training, but it is most importantly, extra help for us, during a challenging period. Will suit an individual wanting to learn about breeding, whelping and puppy rearing, you could already be attending or recently completed theoretical courses in breeding, dog training, canine behaviour fields and are now looking for valuable practical experience before starting your own business. **PUPPY MINDER ROLE** - giving our Puppies and young dogs a clean, healthy environment and guiding them in their basic manners, socialisation, and training to eventually become fully employed family pets and/or working sheepdogs. The Puppy Minders responsibilities will include providing regular progress updates to the Breeder, who will also provide backup advice and training. All our litters are born and reared within our home with the pups getting access to large outdoor runs from about 6 weeks of age. Duties will include: - General kennel cleaning duties - Feeding - Record keeping - Assisting in mating and whelping of mums, this can be at any time of night or day as needed. - Care and cleaning of puppy areas. - Monitoring the mums prior to birth and helping the owner as when required, this can be at any time of night or day as needed. - Helping with socialisation of puppies - means playing with them using positive methods to prepare them for family and working homes - Taking or being actively involved with, social media and website, video and photographs including posting and comments. **Puppy Minder Requirements**: To be successful as a puppy minder you must have: - A great work ethic, be open minded with a keenness to learn - Adaptable, "not a clock watcher" - Willing to work in all weathers, situations and at any time of night or day to ensure 5* puppy/dog welfare needs. - Fit and healthy, capable of working on your feet in an athletic environment for 8 to 10 hours. - **Loads of common sense**: - Excellent problem-solving, organisational. - Excellent Time management skills coupled with your own personal SELF CARE skills. - Strong attention to detail and pride in their work - Not afraid to ask questions and contribute ideas to better life skills and animal welfare - Ensure you learn from, and do not repeat mistakes, to further your knowledge in this field. - Preferably, you should have a proven track record showing the ability to work independently. - You should be patient, consistent and passionate about training dogs. - Natural ability to quickly read canine and other animal languages and act accordingly. - Above all, a love and passion for dogs and an attitude that the animal’s welfare ALWAYS comes before you take your time off. - **A bonus if you have an OFQUAL Animal Care/Dog Breeding, level 3 qualification or equivalent or even better, higher.** Preferably you will hold a current and valid driver’s licence, transport to and from shops etc can be arranged if you do not drive, if over 25 with a clean driver’s license, we may offer use of our vehicle. **Contract Hours & Pay**: **This is ideally a self-employed appointment, or a limited 12-week contract for which you are responsible for your own PAYE etc.** There may be a permanent appointment for the right person after the initial 12 weeks who is also willing to relocate with us to Derby. Rates to be agreed, will be proportionate to your experience, and any apprenticeship/work experience possibility (online training courses offered). As a self-employed person you will be providing a service and will be responsible for your own TIME MANAGEMENT to carry out the jobs specified. You will be paid a total weekly rate, **not per hour,** for providing a service to a high standard, to cover ALL the basic welfare and puppy handling tasks. The weekly service rate will be based on