Job Description

Dog Caretaker

A full-time dog caretaker is sought to care for two beloved Havanese dogs (male, aged 8 and female, aged 7, and potentially a third mid-sized dog Mini Bernidoodle in 2026). Candidates will have sole responsibility for the full daily care, wellbeing, health, and happiness of these two (possibly three) cherished dogs and should be proactive individuals who take pride in their work and can manage multiple tasks efficiently, whilst ensuring they treat the dogs with a great amount of love, dignity, compassion, and companionship, and ensuring their regular routines and set protocols are followed: cooking, feeding, and water schedules, medication administration, daily grooming, essential cleaning, providing clear communication to the Primary, database management, and other activities (listed below). The schedule will be 7am4.30pm (with a 1-hr unpaid lunch) from Monday through Friday, and 7am9am on Saturday and Sunday. Minimum domestic and international travel with the Primary will be required. The position is currently based in a rental (3,300 square feet) while the Primary's main residence (6,400 sq ft) is being renovated. All staff will be based out of the permanent residence from 2027.

Responsibilities

Potty Breaks:

• Should be at regular intervals throughout the day or when bell is rung (both are trained on potty pads for bad weather days).
• Ensuring all potty pads (internal and external) are immediately cleaned and replaced.
• Ensuring dogs are cleaned after every potty break (paws wiped and sanitary cleaning).

Feeding:

• Preparation of fresh meat and vegetables daily and/or providing calorie counted dog food
• Meals provided twice daily at set times in the morning and afternoon.
• Dogs' faces cleaned after each meal
• Fresh water bowls placed around the home every morning and continuously filled.

Medication:

• Administration to each dog on daily and monthly basis.
• Maintaining records of medication administered, date, and times per pet.

Kitchen Maintenance:

• Keep the kitchen clean and organized ensuring meal cleanup after cooking.

Procurement:

• Assisting Executive Assistant with the ordering of groceries, monitoring, and restocking of pets daily/monthly nutritional requirements.

Pet Supplies:

• Assisting Executive Assistant with the ordering, monitoring, and restocking of all Pet supplies on monthly basis.

Cleaning:

• Cleaning and sanitization of dog areas, including regular cleaning of daily water and food bowls, crates, dog interactive food toys, general toys, pet bedding, dog houses, and potty pad holders.
• Research and keep best practice hygiene protocol for them.
• Cleaning of high-end luxury dog items.

Grooming:

Daily Home Routine:

• Fully groom dogs daily including cleaning of eye, ears, facial hair comb out, brushing teeth, and body brush out. Female Havanese has her hair tied up daily.
• Occasional in-home bathing and clean up after.

Professional Groomer:

• Scheduling professional groomer (at home) every 2 weeks (coordinating with household calendar).
• Preparation of home for the professional groomer and clean up after.

Walks:

• Twice daily walks for minimum one hour each (ensuring all the dogs' walking essentials-including leash, harness, ID tag, waste bags, water & bowl, and any necessary weather appropriate apparel to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing, are prepared and taken).

Qualifications

• ESSENTIAL: MUST have a GENUINE LOVE for dogs.
• Experience: Previous experience having worked with, cared for, or brought up own dogs.
• Communication skills: Good communication skills to understand Primary's needs and preferences and be able to work effectively with the Executive Assistant.
• Trustworthy & reliable: Must have a strong sense of responsibility and integrity.

Requirements

• Candidates should be dedicated, responsible, and highly reliable.
• Must love taking care of dogs.
• Experience or training with small dogs helpful but not necessary.
• CPPS Certification beneficial but not essential (certification for professional pet sitters).
• Effective communication skills: verbal, written, and listening.
• Adaptability: Being open to change and open to innovative ideas and problem-solving skills.
• Time Management: Prioritizing Tasks, Managing Deadlines whilst also balancing household staff team responsibilities.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and creative problem solver.
• Empathy: Ability to stay calm and collected in high-pressure situations - especially medical emergencies.
• Understand the principle of trauma informed care such as empathy, care, and respect.
• It is especially important for me that they have some understanding of how cultural variations impact trauma and stress responses.
• Individuals who understand that they should be looking to foster a committed a safe, supportive environment for all team members ensuring they respect and value cultural collaboration and communication and mutual support.
• Professional demeanor and the ability to discretely deal with confidential information.
• US passport, Green Card, or EAC

Salary and Benefits

• $40-45/hr
• Health Insurance (with added dental and vision)

Bay Area Health Solutions

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Immediate start, Weekend work, Sunday, Day shift, Saturday, Monday to Friday,

Similar Jobs