Apprentice Dog Trainer

Apprentice Dog Trainer – Centurion Canine (Murrysville, PA)

Paid Apprenticeship → Full-Time Trainer Position

At Centurion Canine, we train the dogs most people have given up on, fearful, shut-down, reactive, and truly aggressive cases headed for euthanasia or lifelong isolation. We also build reliable, off-leash obedience for family pets and raise confident puppies.

We are opening our 2026 Dog Trainer Apprenticeship Program and looking for someone who wants to master the craft at a high level.

This is not a casual learning environment. This is a hands-on, full-immersion program where you will be held to a high standard and developed into a professional dog trainer through real work, real responsibility, and daily coaching.

No prior professional experience is required but work ethic, attention to detail, coachability, and the drive to become exceptional are non-negotiable.

Through this apprenticeship, you will learn by working with real dogs every single day. This includes rehabilitating fearful, reactive, and aggressive dogs, building safe, stable, and reliable companions, and developing on and off-leash obedience for both pet and working dogs. You’ll also gain experience in puppy raising and early development, advanced behavior modification, and reading dog body language, while learning how to effectively communicate with clients, conduct go-home lessons, and support long-term success.

This role is built on structure, repetition, and consistency. You will be expected to follow established training systems and protocols exactly as taught, take detailed and accurate trainer notes on every dog, and track client progress, challenges, and daily outcomes. You’ll prepare for each training session with a clear plan, participate in daily team huddles and collaborative problem-solving, and maintain a clean, safe, and structured training environment. Strong communication is essential, you’ll be expected to communicate clearly and consistently with both team members and clients, including confidently conducting go-home lessons by explaining training, demonstrating skills, and coaching owners effectively.

Dog training isn’t linear. Some days are great, some days are frustrating and we’re looking for someone who can handle both. We care deeply about the work because it directly impacts the quality of life for the dogs and clients we serve. Our mission is to help every dog become the best version of themselves by building confidence, reducing fear, and restoring a true quality of life and that requires a team that holds a high standard. We work hard and play hard, we host company-wide bite nights twice a week!

We give direct feedback, support each other, and we don’t take ourselves too seriously. There’s a lot of learning, a lot of growth, and yes, humor. Because, if you can’t laugh at yourself for looking ridiculous while training, what’s the point? If that kind of environment motivates you, you’ll fit right in.

Who we’re looking for:

This role is for someone who wants to become exceptional, not average. Someone who takes pride in doing things the right way, not the easy way, and is committed to continuous improvement. You’re coachable, able to take feedback without defensiveness, and willing to be pushed outside of your comfort zone in order to grow. You understand that real progress comes from consistency, accountability, and showing up every day ready to improve.

You’re not looking for just a job, you’re looking for a long-term opportunity to grow within a company, develop into a professional trainer, and be part of a team that takes the work seriously. You have a genuine passion for dog training, a strong work ethic, and the drive to keep learning, even when it’s challenging. Even when things don’t go your way, you’re able to push through frustration, stay focused on results, and remain committed to becoming great at what you do.

We’re looking for someone with a true growth mindset, someone who is eager to learn, improve their skills, and understand the “why” behind what we do. We want to see everyone advancing, improving, and leveling up their training over time.

Our team culture is built on high standards, accountability, and a shared commitment to getting better. We support each other and enjoy good natured banter - we’re together way too much to be serious all the time. Feedback is direct, and it’s meant to make you better. If small comments or profanity bother you, you’ll hate it here.

This is not a “clock in, clock out” job, it’s a craft. You must love dogs and be willing to fully immerse yourself in the work. No job is beneath anyone on this team. Throughout your Apprenticeship, you’ll be working with our kennel technician to learn and understand all of our protocols in the kennels. We all pitch in with the dirty work, because poop is an every day occurrence around here!

Trust is paramount. Because of the dogs we work with, we rely on each other to operate safely, consistently, and as a team. You must trust your teammates, and they must be able to trust you. There will be uncomfortable moments working with challenging dogs, but you will never be put in a situation you’re not ready for. We push each other and always set each other up for success.

At the end of the day, we’re looking for someone who sees this as a long-term career, not just a job, someone who is a little obsessed (in a good way), wants to master dog training, has great attention to detail, and is willing to fail, learn, and keep going. We specialize in the most challenging behavior cases and provide the highest-level obedience training.

Our mission is to help every dog become the best version of themselves by building confidence, reducing fear, and restoring the quality of life both dogs and their owners deserve.

If you want to become an elite trainer who can truly change (and save) dogs’ lives, this is your shot to become part of our team.

If you’re still reading and feel like we just described you, we want to hear from you! Applications close [DATE], keep reading for how to apply.

Starting Pay: $15/hr

Hours: Hours are initially Monday-Friday: 7am-3pm

As you gain experience and give lessons to clients, the shift will be:

Monday-Thursday 9am-7pm and Fridays 9am-2pm (Fridays are lesson dependent)

Upon successful completion of the Apprenticeship:

• Guaranteed full-time trainer position
• Full benefits (401k, PTO, continuing education)
• Increased pay to $18/hr

Requirements

• 18+ with valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Physically capable of working outdoors in all conditions (we train year round)
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting up to 50 lbs, crouching, bending, standing for extended periods, and working in a fast-paced environment
• Willing to work with dogs of all sizes and temperaments
• Strong communication skills
• Comfortable working around reactive or aggressive dogs (with proper training and supervision)
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow systems precisely
• Confidence (or willingness to develop confidence) in leading structured go-home lessons and coaching clients
• Willingness to learn, be coached, and be held accountable

How to Apply

Send your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject:

[Your Name] - 2026 Apprenticeship

Please include answers to the following questions in your cover letter:

• Why are you interested in dog training, what is your long term goal with this position?
• What trainers do you follow on Instagram and YouTube?
• What specifically about the trainers really moves you?
• Do you have a dog? If yes, what kind and how old?
• On a scale of 1-5, how comfortable are you teaching people?
• Hours are initially Monday-Friday: 7am-3pm As you gain experience and give lessons to clients, the shift will be: Monday-Thursday 9am-7pm and Fridays 9am-2pm (Fridays are lesson dependent)
• Are you able to work all of these shifts?
• Where do you see yourself in 1–2 years if you were successful in this role?
• How soon are you looking to start?

Pay: $15.00 - $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• On-the-job training
• Opportunities for advancement

Work Location: In person