Overview
Kennel Assistant / Dog Handler (Full-Time) Jobs in Hugo, MN at Neuman K-9 Academy, Inc.
Neuman K-9 Academy is hiring a full-time Kennel Assistant / Dog Handler to join our professional dog training and care team.
You do not need previous kennel or dog training experience to be successful in this role. We are willing to train the right person. What matters most is that you are dependable, responsible, hardworking, comfortable with physical work, and genuinely committed to providing excellent care for the dogs entrusted to us.
This is an active, hands-on position in a structured and fast-paced environment. Our dogs rely on us for consistent care every day, which means our team members need to be people others can count on. If you take pride in showing up, learning new skills, following through, and doing a job well, we would like to hear from you.
What You’ll Do
- Provide daily care for dogs, including feeding, watering, exercise, and medications as directed
- Clean and maintain kennels, crates, equipment, and dog areas to a high standard
- Safely handle dogs during walks, exercise, structured activities, and enrichment
- Monitor dogs for changes in health, behavior, or comfort and communicate concerns promptly
- Assist with basic grooming, including bathing, brushing, and nail trims
- Follow established routines and handling procedures
- Maintain accurate daily care records
- Work alongside trainers and other team members to keep each dog’s day organized, safe, and productive
No Professional Dog Experience? That’s Okay.
Previous experience in a kennel, veterinary clinic, shelter, daycare, or other animal-care environment is helpful, but it is not required.
We can teach you our procedures, dog-handling techniques, and standards of care.
What we need from you is much harder to teach:
- You show up when you are scheduled
- You are on time and ready to work
- You take responsibility for your work
- You pay attention to details
- You follow directions and established procedures
- You ask questions when you are unsure
- You accept feedback and use it to improve
- You can be trusted to complete a task correctly even when no one is watching
What to Expect
This is a 40-hour-per-week, full-time position.
The work is active and physical. You should be comfortable:
- Being on your feet for most of your shift
- Walking, bending, kneeling, lifting, cleaning, and moving throughout the day
- Working both indoors and outdoors year-round
- Handling dogs of different sizes, breeds, temperaments, and energy levels
- Working around barking, dog hair, dirt, water, cleaning products, and the normal realities of professional animal care
- Staying productive during busy periods
- Following a structured daily schedule
Some dogs may be young, energetic, strong, untrained, or behaviorally challenging. You will receive direction and training on how we expect dogs to be handled safely.
What We’re Looking For
We are especially interested in applicants who are:
- Exceptionally reliable and responsible
- Hardworking and willing to stay busy
- Comfortable with physical work
- Patient and confident around dogs
- Able to follow detailed instructions
- Organized and attentive
- Calm when things get busy
- Comfortable receiving coaching and feedback
- Able to work independently once trained
- Interested in being part of a professional team
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have reliable transportation
- Maintain dependable and consistent attendance
Who Thrives at Neuman K-9 Academy
The people who do especially well here are not necessarily the people who arrive with the most dog experience.
They are the people who care about doing things correctly.
They notice when something needs to be done and take care of it. They don’t disappear when the work gets difficult. They understand that feeding a dog correctly, cleaning a kennel thoroughly, noticing a change in behavior, or following a handling procedure may seem like small things — but those details matter tremendously when you are responsible for someone’s dog.
For someone with a strong work ethic who wants to learn, this can also be an excellent opportunity to gain professional experience in the dog training and animal-care field.
Pay & Benefits
$18.00–$24.00/hour, based on experience and qualifications
Full-time: 40 hours per week
Benefits include:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- IRA with 3% company match
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Employee discounts
At Neuman K-9 Academy, we take the responsibility of caring for our clients’ dogs seriously, and we are proud of the standards our team maintains.
If you are hardworking, dependable, responsible, and willing to learn, don’t let a lack of professional dog experience keep you from applying. We are happy to train the right person.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $18.00 – $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
Title: Kennel Assistant / Dog Handler (Full-Time)
Company: Neuman K-9 Academy, Inc.
Location: Hugo, MN
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