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Dog Training Careers

Train to be a Petco Positive Dog Trainer

Build a lifetime bond between dogs and dog parents, through fun and positive dog training classes.

Petco Positive Dog Training promotes the well-being of pets and pet parents with dog-friendly communication, instruction, enrichment, environmental management, and compassion to strengthen the bond between pet parent and dog. Our entire program uses effective and FUN science-based training principles which reward dog behavior.

Your journey begins with our paid, six-week Dog Trainer Instructor Program.

Week 1

Your dog training journey starts here!

Week 2

Learn proven techniques along with the art and science of dog training

Week 3

Develop the skills for setting you, pet parents and their dogs up for long-term success

Week 4

Interactive instructor led trainings with real-time feedback

Week 5

Learn how to run a successful dog training business

Week 6

Become a Petco Certified Positive Dog Trainer!

START YOUR PETCO DOG TRAINING CAREER TODAY!

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Petco Positive Training

Positive

Our reward-based training program promotes health & wellness, environmental management, and focuses on rewarding desirable behaviors, all while keeping dogs in their forever homes.

Voluntary

Together, dogs and their families discover appropriate behaviors that improve their wellbeing and strengthen their relationships. Dogs learn fastest and retain the most when they are voluntary participants in the training process.

Educational

Dogs and pet parents learn behaviors that have practical use in their everyday lives. The learning takes place in a welcoming and safe training environment, with ample resources, while utilizing the least intrusive, minimally aversive techniques that enable dogs and pet parents to achieve long-term success.

Fun

Dogs and their pet parents learn while having fun during our classes! The training and fun continues at home with practice activities and structured training plans.

Jeremy Pierce with arm around dog while both are posing for a picture
I made the move to Petco because of the impact I could make in the lives of pet parents and the pets that I could help keep in their homes. Since joining Petco, I have been a mentor to trainers just starting their journey, helped create and launch our Online Training Program, been involved in content creation, and had unique opportunities to travel, meet industry leaders, and grow in the field.

Jeremy Peirce, Senior Dog Trainer

Mary Lee crouching down while petting a dog
I started as a Petco trainer 13 years ago. I absolutely love working in such a positive atmosphere. I never dreamed I could combine my two passions into a career: dogs and education. My mind is blown by the education each trainer receives, plus having an entire support system. Petco is an amazing company that encompasses health, wellness, camaraderie, education, and teamwork.

Mary Lee, Senior Trainer and Dog Trainer Mentor

Darris Cooper training a dog while its' owner looks on
I’ve been with Petco dog training since April 2011 and have been sharing this mindset with coworkers, clients, and potential clients for years, that training your dog is less a matter of learning to control him/her and much more a matter of learning to understand them.

Steve Crandall, Senior Dog Trainer

Jobs for You

Orange kitten and puppy looking at each other

Petco Total Rewards Benefits

Petco Total Rewards Benefits care for your total physical, emotional and financial wellness, as well as your loved ones.

  • Health and Wellness

    • Comprehensive medical, dental & vision benefits
    • Gender-affirming care benefits
    • Adoption & fertility benefits
    • Flexible shifts & schedules
    • Generous time off & holidays
    • Employee Assistance Program with free, 24/7 mental health, legal & financial resources
    • Basic life & AD&D insurance
    • Pet bereavement
    • Paid parental leave

    Financial Wellness

    • Competitive pay
    • 401(K) + Company Match
    • Health Savings & Flexible Spending Accounts
    • Employee referral rewards
    • Employee stock purchase program
    • Generous discounts: store, grooming, dog training & veterinary care

    Career Growth

    • Professional advancement opportunities
    • Business & leadership training
    • Collaborative & supportive environment

    Petco Discounts

    • 40% off Petco-owned brands
    • 20% or more off most in-store purchases & services
    • 10% off petco.com purchases
    • FREE Dog Training group classes
    • 20% off Grooming
    • 20% off vet services
    • Petco Perks discounts on popular entertainment, fitness, travel, tech, home, auto & pet insurance brands

    *Benefits vary depending on role.

  • Benefits

    • FlexWork Bridge Plan – Medical Insurance, including unlimited $0 copay virtual care visits, Hospital & Accident Indemnity Plans
    • Competitive compensation packages
    • 401(K) + Company Match
    • Employee referral rewards
    • Employee Stock Purchase program
    • Flexible shifts & schedules
    • Employee Assistance Program with free, 24/7 mental health, legal & financial resources
    • Career advancement & leadership opportunities
    • Generous discounts: store, grooming, dog training & veterinary care

    Petco Discounts

    • 40% off Petco-owned brands
    • Promotional discounts up to 60% off provided by Petco brand partners
    • 20% or more off most in-store purchases & services
    • 10% off petco.com purchases
    • FREE Dog Training group classes
    • 20% off Grooming
    • 20% off vet services
    • Petco Perks discounts on popular entertainment, fitness, travel, tech, home, auto & pet insurance brands

    *Benefits vary depending on role.

  • Health and Wellness

    • Comprehensive medical, dental & vision benefits
    • Flexible shifts & schedules
    • Flexible, open & paid time off
    • Employee Assistance Program with free, 24/7 mental health, legal & financial resources
    • Basic life & AD&D insurance
    • Supplemental benefits & insurance
    • Pet bereavement
    • Paid parental leave
    • Gender-affirming care benefits
    • Adoption & fertility benefits

    Financial Wellness

    • Competitive pay
    • 401(K) + Company Match
    • Health Savings & Flexible Spending Accounts
    • Professional liability coverage
    • Employee referral rewards
    • Employee stock purchase program
    • Generous discounts to care for your pets
    • Up to 100% reimbursement of DEA license

    Career Growth

    • Leadership & development training
    • Free online courses & paid certifications
    • Up to $3500/year for continuing education
    • Ultrasound and equipment training
    • Veterinary student externships & early-career mentorship

    Petco Discounts

    • 40% off Petco-owned brands
    • 20% or more off most in-store purchases & services
    • 10% off petco.com purchases
    • FREE Dog Training group classes
    • 20% off Grooming
    • Veterinary services discounts
    • Petco Perks discounts on popular entertainment, fitness, travel, tech, home, auto & pet insurance brands

    Hospitals Equipped With

    • DDXR
    • Idexx
    • Butterfly iQ+ Vet handheld ultrasound
    • Vetology Radiograph interpretation AI
    • VetScan IMAGYST
    • Doppler
    • Surgical suite

    *Benefits vary depending on role.

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Petco stylist holding a dog before brushing its teeth

Our Commitment to People, Pets and Planet

We believe the passion for pets is universal. To better serve our diverse customers across our 1,500 Pet Care Centers, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals and 1700+ weekly Vetco vaccination clinics, we are intentional about bringing the skillsets and experiences that help us meet the needs of all pets and pet parents. From attracting bilingual talent needed to serve multicultural market segments to leveraging a variety of perspectives to help us innovate in a competitive and changing industry, we know diversity and inclusion are critical business drivers to help Petco meet the needs of all pet families.

  • Planet

    • Began transitioning in-store habitats from fluorescent to LED bulbs, resulting in energy savings.
    • Reduced energy usage by more than 4 million kWh through our lighting curtailment program.
    • In 2024, our recycling initiatives diverted nearly 400 tons of plastic from landfills.
  • People

    • Provided career or skills-related training to 98% of all employees.
    • Sponsored more than 150 scholarships through our Petco/Penn Foster Scholarship Program and Latinx Veterinary Medical Association.
    • Nearly 600,000 hours of training delivered to pet care center partners.
    • Over 40% of General Manager and District General Manager positions filled by internal promotions.
  • Pets

    • Reunited more than 100,000 pets with their pet parents through Petco Love Lost.
    • Helped save nearly 7 million animals through adoptions in Petco pet care centers
    • Distributed more than 3.2 million free vaccines to pets via Petco Love.
    • Invested nearly $410 million in lifesaving animal welfare work.
    • Helped more than 4,000 animal welfare partners.
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