Dog Training Coach

Job title: Dog Training Coach
Hours: 35 hours per week (Monday – Friday 9am-5pm)
Location: Centre based at either York, East Yorkshire or Saunderton, Buckinghamshire. Regular travel into communities and overnight stays required from the centre.

The Dog Training Coach plays a critical role in assuring and embedding high standards of dog training across Hearing Dogs for Deaf People (HDfDP).

Working alongside the Dog Training Quality Lead, the postholder will provide expert dog training guidance, behavioural advice, coaching and practical support to staff, applicants, recipients and volunteers. The role will contribute to the development of people and programmes that enable HDfDP to achieve excellence in the training and welfare of hearing dogs through consistently high standards in dog training delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Collaboration
- Role model HDfDP values and behaviours, encouraging others to do the same.
- Support the vision and implementation of dog training development and training for volunteers, applicants, recipients and staff.
- Work closely with the Dog Training Quality Lead to support excellence in hearing dog training.
- Demonstrate accountability, collaboration, openness and integrity.
- Provide clear, visible and motivational leadership within areas of responsibility.
- Promote open, effective two-way communication with colleagues and stakeholders.
Dog Training and Behaviour
- Uphold and embed HDfDP dog training standards.
- Contribute to the development, review and implementation of dog training programmes.
- Ensure training approaches align with HDfDP values and relevant ADUK/I requirements.
- Provide an exceptional standard of dog training guidance and behavioural advice to staff, applicants, recipients and volunteers.
- Provide practical support across:
o Canine Healthcare
o Partnership Services
o Support Pathways
o Volunteering
- Support the ongoing review and development of training plans for hearing dogs throughout their end-to-end journey.
- Promote and monitor good practice and the highest standards of dog welfare and training.
Coaching, Teaching and Capability Development
- Mentor, coach, teach and guide dog-facing roles.
- Train and support volunteers in the practical application of dog training and behavioural principles.
- Contribute to ongoing training and development programmes for staff and volunteers.
- Help colleagues develop their confidence, capability and practical skills in working with dogs.
- Support a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Operational Responsibilities
- Work with the Dog Training Quality Lead to ensure training standards are consistently applied.
- Plan and organise training and development activity effectively, involving national travel and overnight stays on a regular basis.
- Identify and respond quickly to issues that may affect delivery.
- Contribute to reporting on the outcomes and impact of training activity.
- Make effective use of available resources, including data, insight and digital systems.
- Work collaboratively with internal teams, volunteers and external partners.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:
- Relevant qualification in dog training (e.g., Level 3-4 Ofqual registered Diploma in Dog Training) or equivalent experience.
- Experience of teaching, coaching and mentoring.
- Strong organisational and operational planning skills.
- Ability to set and maintain standards, protocols, objectives and measures.
- Excellent stakeholder communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to engage sensitively with people with hearing loss.
- Ability to communicate clearly, effectively and consistently at all levels.
- Ability to identify issues and take swift mitigating action to maintain delivery.
Successful applicants will be required to:
- Have a full UK driving licence, with access to a vehicle during the working week, and willingness to travel nationally regularly as required to meet the needs of the team’s objectives behavioural support.
- Regular UK-wide travel and willingness to stay away from home when required to meet operational requirements.
- Live within travelling distance of either The Grange, Buckinghamshire or BWC, East Yorkshire.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 due to its duties involving the protection of children and/or adults at risk. Applicants are therefore required to disclose all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands, as well as any relevant non-conviction information. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with the Police Act 1997 (Part V).
Please click below to apply - applications close on 23rd November 2026 .

Benefits

- Employee Assistance Programme
- Death in Service Payment
- Annual leave enhancements recognising long service
- Day off for your birthday
- Defined contribution group personal pension plan
- Enhanced sick pay
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Eye care
- Hearing tests
- Learning and Development opportunities
- Discounts on merchandise at Hearing Dog gift shops
- Pet Dog Policy