Animal Training

WallisAnnenberg PetSpace, located in Playa Vista, is a unique community space featuring pet adoptions, a humane education program, and a leadership institute for animal science and welfare advancement. PetSpace focuses on the bond between people and their pets, as well as the origins and community impact of that relationship.

The Animal Behavior & Training Lead plays an integral role in achieving this mission by supporting animals throughout their entire PetSpace journey, from intake and acclimation through adoption and post-adoption support.

Working as part of the Behavior & Training team, this position provides professional dog training, behavior assessment, behavior modification, enrichment, staff coaching, adoption support, and post-adoption services. The Animal Behavior & Training Lead helps prepare animals for successful placement while building the skills and confidence of Animal Care staff and adopters.

The position works closely with the Behavior & Training Coordinator and Animal Operations team to maintain consistent, humane, evidence-based training and behavior practices throughout PetSpace.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following is representative of the major duties and responsibilities of the position. Additional duties may be assigned based on organizational needs.

Position Purpose:

The Animal Behavior & Training Lead is an essential part of PetSpace's effort to prepare animals for successful adoption, support Animal Care staff in providing consistent and safe care, address behavioral challenges through appropriate behavior modification, and promote long-term pet retention. The goal is not simply to train dogs, but to improve their behavior, welfare, and ability to successfully transition into homes while building the skills and confidence of the people who care for them.

Animal Behavior, Training, & Behavior Modification

Conduct behavioral assessments and ongoing evaluations of dogs to identify strengths, challenges, stress signals, and training needs.

Develop and implement individualized training and behavior modification plans using positive reinforcement, learning theory, and evidence-based behavior modification methods.

Provide daily training and behavior support to dogs throughout their stay at PetSpace.

Prepare dogs for successful adoption by developing skills including loose-leash walking, recall, impulse control, appropriate greetings, door manners, handling, enrichment, and engagement with handlers.

Work with dogs experiencing fear, anxiety, reactivity, frustration, overarousal, and other behavioral challenges.

Apply appropriate behavior modification techniques to improve emotional responses, coping skills, and functional behaviors.

Monitor changes in behavior and modify training plans as needed.

Recognize and respond appropriately to changes in canine body language, emotional state, and arousal level.

Provide enrichment and decompression strategies to support animal welfare and reduce stress.

Dog-to-Dog Introductions & Playgroups

• Lead and oversee dog-to-dog introductions and meet-and-greets,ensuring appropriate safety protocols and professional behavior assessment are followed.

Evaluate canine body language, social behavior, play styles, and compatibility during dog-to-dog interactions.

Lead and facilitate appropriate playgroups, including evaluating dogs for participation and monitoring interactions throughout the session.

Determine when interactions should continue, be modified, or discontinued based on behavioral observations.

Train staff in appropriate techniques for safely conducting dog-to-dog introductions and managing group interactions.

Participate and lead tandem walks, pack walks, offsite activities, and other real-world behavioral assessments.

Animal Care Training & Staff Development

• Lead and provide Animal Care staff trainingon canine body language, handling, enrichment, training techniques, behavior modification, and safety.
• Support the development and implementation of PetSpace's handler color-level program and assist with assessing handler skills.
• Provide clear and consistent instruction regarding individual dogs' training plans, handling needs, equipment, and safety considerations.
• Model appropriate handling, training, and behavior modification techniques for Animal Care staff, volunteers, and other team members.
• Promote consistency in training language, methods, equipment, and behavioral expectations across departments.
• Coach staff in recognizing changes in canine behavior and making appropriate handling decisions.
• Assist in developing and maintaining training protocols, procedures, assessment tools, and educational materials.

Foste