Dog Training Assistant / Apprentice in Mt. Airy, Maryland
Build a full-time career in dog training.
Start with a paid one-month trial working beside Michael. The goal is a long-term role for someone who loves dogs, wants to become a trainer, and wants to help build Raja K9 for years.
Paid trial
$20 per hour
One month. About 30 hours a week.
Regular schedule
Monday through Friday
7:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Weekend hours may be needed.
If the role continues
$30+ per hour
Based on expertise and value provided.
After the trial
Paid time off + health stipend
PTO begins accruing after the trial. Commission can follow once independent client work is earned.
The long-term opportunity
Help build the next stage of Raja K9.
Raja K9 is building toward a multi-million-dollar dog training company. We are expanding the team in 2026. Michael is building trainers who can understand dogs, improve behavior, and eventually take on client work with his standard of care and judgment.
The team is still small. You will work closely with Michael and grow through the daily work. We want someone who genuinely loves dogs, wants to stay, and wants to help build the company for the long run.
What you are here to learn
Care for dogs. Learn to understand and train them.
Learn to care for, handle, and read dogs through the daily work that keeps them safe and settled. As your judgment grows, Michael teaches you how to choose the right response and train dogs toward changes their owners can feel at home.
Prepare spaces, food, water, leashes, and equipment
Help supervise dogs indoors, outdoors, and around training sessions
Learn how Michael reads behavior and decides what each dog needs next
Practice handling and training skills under Michael's direction as you are ready
Write down what happened and what needs attention next
Clean kennels, bowls, yards, equipment, and up after dogs
Notice changes in behavior and communicate them clearly
Lift up to 50 pounds and work outside in changing weather
The first month
Start with one paid month working alongside Michael.
You see what the job actually involves. Michael sees whether you are dependable, safe with dogs, open to coaching, and able to apply what you learn.
- About 30 hours a week to start
- $20 per hour
- Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Weekend hours may be needed.
- Hands-on dog care and assistant work with Michael
Who can do well here
Reliable. Observant. Serious about learning dogs.
No degree is required. No dog training title is required. Experience with dogs helps, but Michael is looking for someone who pays attention, applies feedback, and wants to learn why dogs behave the way they do.
You need a reliable vehicle to commute to Mt. Airy. Routine daycare routes are handled by dedicated drivers. Transporting training clients may come later once trust and skill are established.
This is a small, hands-on team. You will work beside Michael, care for dogs people trust us with, and take on more responsibility as your judgment grows. We are looking for someone who wants to be part of that growth for years.
Physical reality
Dogs. Weather. Cleanup.
You must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, work outdoors, handle multiple dogs carefully, and be comfortable cleaning up after dogs.
After the trial
The paid trial is the first step.
Start with a paid trial. If the fit is right, the path is toward a larger full-time role where you handle, understand, and train dogs with more independence. That next step is earned through the work, not promised on a timer.
Apply nowPay after the trial
$30+ per hour
Based on expertise and value provided.
Questions before applying? Email .