Job Opportunity: Puppy Development Manager

Location: Wards Lane, Congleton CW12 3LN, United Kingdom
Salary:  range £28-30k depending on experience 

Hours: 40 hours per week

Start Date: immediate 

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Autism Dogs Charity is seeking a passionate and skilled Puppy Development Manager to join our team. This role is central to the early development of our assistance dogs, ensuring they receive the best possible start in life and are on track to become reliable support partners for autistic individuals.

As a Puppy Development Manager, you will support volunteer puppy raisers across the UK, guide socialisation and training efforts, and oversee the health, welfare, and developmental progress of each puppy, so the role includes travel and overnight stays. Your expertise will shape our future assistance dogs, contribute to programme excellence, and foster strong relationships with families and stakeholders.

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Key Responsibilities:

• Mentor and support puppy raisers with training advice, troubleshooting, and practical guidance.
• Ensure puppies experience safe, positive socialisation and consistent training using positive reinforcement.
• Monitor the health and well-being of puppies, including coordination of veterinary care.
• Develop and implement curriculum and systems for our puppy development programme.
• Maintain up-to-date records of each puppy’s progress and report findings to the wider team.
• Collaborate with families, the training team, and veterinary professionals to ensure continuity of care and progress.
• Support the recruitment and retention of volunteer raisers and boarders.
• Resolve behavioural or logistical challenges during early development phases.
  
  

‍Candidate Requirements:

• Proven experience in canine development, behaviour, and welfare.
• Strong knowledge of positive reinforcement methods.
• Excellent communication skills to engage with families and volunteers.
• Problem-solving mindset and the ability to work independently.
• Project management and administrative competence.
• Countrywide travel and overnight stays (use of a pool car can be provided).
• A valid UK driving licence (essential).
  
  

‍What We Offer:

• Use of a pool car
• Competitive salary.
• Company mobile phone.
• Travel expenses are covered when using your own car.
• Supportive and mission-driven work environment.
• Opportunity to directly impact the lives of autistic individuals through the power of assistance dogs.
  
  

‍Why Join Autism Dogs Charity?
You’ll be part of a team that values empathy, professionalism, and excellence. As the only UK autism assistance dog charity led by autistic people, we offer a unique and supportive workplace grounded in lived experience and evidence-based practice.

💙 Together, we’re building partnerships that prioritise dog welfare and human support.

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter, specifying the location where you’re interested in working: caroline.preston@autismdogs.co.uk

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