Looking for a career that gets you out from behind a desk?

At Sniff San Francisco, you'll spend your days exploring the city's parks, building relationships with incredible dogs, and learning the art and science of canine behavior. We don't just walk dogs—we develop them through structured play, reward-based training, and active engagement.

We're one of San Francisco's highest-rated dog care companies, and we're looking for exceptional people who want to build a career in professional dog care.

No professional dog experience is required. We provide comprehensive paid training in dog handling, canine behavior, reward-based training, and everything you'll need to become a permitted San Francisco dog walker.

This is a profession with room to grow—not just a job.

Before You Apply

This is an active, physically demanding position. You'll likely thrive here if you're the kind of person who would rather spend the day outdoors than behind a computer.

Every day you'll:

• Walk 8–12 miles throughout San Francisco.
• Spend 6–8 hours outdoors, rain or shine.
• Climb hills, stairs, and uneven terrain.
• Safely manage groups of energetic dogs.
• Stay alert, engaged, and moving for most of your shift.

If you're happiest hiking, running, backpacking, working outdoors, or being active all day, you'll probably love this job.

What You'll Do

Every day is different, but your responsibilities include:

• Leading structured group walks throughout San Francisco.
• Reinforcing positive behaviors using modern, reward-based training methods.
• Helping dogs build confidence through play, enrichment, and socialization.
• Monitoring canine body language and ensuring the safety of every dog in your care.
• Working closely with teammates in the field—our walkers support one another, and you're never alone.
• Building trusted relationships with clients through excellent communication and professionalism.

What Makes Sniff Different

Most dog walking companies simply supervise dogs.

We actively engage with them.

Our intentionally small dog-to-human ratios allow us to reinforce training, encourage healthy play, build confidence, and provide individualized attention throughout every outing.

We believe dogs deserve more than exercise—they deserve thoughtful guidance, enrichment, and meaningful interaction.

That's why families throughout San Francisco trust us with the dogs they love most.

Who Thrives Here

This role is ideal for people who are:

• Passionate about dogs and fascinated by animal behavior.
• The desire to provide excellent customer service
• Hikers, runners, climbers, or outdoor enthusiasts.
• Veterinary assistants, vet tech students, or aspiring trainers.
• Animal rescue or shelter volunteers.
• Excellent communicators who enjoy working with both people and dogs.
• Reliable, punctual, and highly accountable.
• Calm under pressure and able to think quickly.
• Team-oriented and eager to learn.

What You'll Learn

You'll receive paid training and ongoing mentorship in:

• Canine behavior and body language.
• Reward-based (R+) training techniques.
• Group dog management and safety.
• Client communication and professional care.
• Off-leash handling and park management.
• Professional dog handling standards unique to San Francisco.

As your skills grow, so do your opportunities. Many of our team members advance into senior dog handling, playgroup leadership, training, and supervisory positions.

What We Offer

• Full-time salaried position: $53,000–$58,000
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid training and ongoing professional development
• Support earning your San Francisco dog walking permit
• A collaborative, experienced team that works together every day
• Real opportunities for advancement within the company

Schedule: Monday–Friday, approximately 8:00 AM–4:00 PM, with occasional weekend work.

We're Looking for Teammates—Not Temporary Employees

Training a professional dog handler takes time, mentorship, and commitment. We're looking for people who are excited to build a career with us, continue learning, and become an important part of our team and the families we serve.

If you're searching for meaningful work, enjoy being physically active, and believe dogs deserve exceptional care, we'd love to meet you.

About Us

Sniff San Francisco is a locally owned, full-service dog care company that offers walking, training, and boarding. Our approach is refreshingly different and predicated on a simple precept of active engagement. We achieve this by right-sizing the dog-to-human ratio of 4-5 dogs per person and collaborating as a team. At the park, we have the human bandwidth and expertise to reinforce commands and promote play and socialization.

We framed Sniff around a core value of providing superior, responsible dog care. Every day, we strive to provide a clean, safe, and fun environment for beloved canines to develop into well-socialized members of your family. We empower dogs and their owners to grow and thrive. Our approach and thoughtfulness reflect a paradigm shift that transforms the very soul of dog care.