jobswithanimals.co.uk

Category: Training & Behaviour

Behaviour Coach
Behaviour Coach

Application Deadline: 17 May 2026

Department: Behaviour and Community Services

Employment Type: Permanent – Part Time

Location: Merseyside

Compensation: £16,500 per year, plus benefits (£27,500 FTE)

Description

Are you passionate about helping dogs and their owners build better relationships through positive, reward-based training?
We’re looking for a dedicated Behaviour Coach to deliver a range of behavioural rehabilitation interventions aimed at supporting dogs with behaviour challenges and their owners. These services are designed to reduce the number of dogs that are relinquished unnecessarily, keeping dogs in their forever homes, forever.

What does this role do?

As Behaviour Coach, you’ll:
- deliver 1-2-1 and small group rehabilitation sessions using positive, reward-based methods, following referrals from Clinical Animal Behaviourists (CAB’s), the Behaviour Support Line, or self-referrals,
- assess progress and adapt training plans in line with ABT standards, recommending further sessions or re-referral to CABs or veterinary behaviourists when necessary,
- collaborate with Rehoming Centre staff to identify dogs needing post-adoption support and ensure adopters receive appropriate behavioural guidance and services,
- maintain accurate case records and complete administrative tasks using the CRM system, including session bookings, payments, and post-programme documentation for owners,
- engage in reflective practice and CPD, developing your skills and knowledge to make the world a better place for dogs.
- This role is listed as 22.5hrs (3 days) with the pro-rata salary, this is open to discussion for slightly more or less hours/ days with the relevant salary adjustment.
Could this be you?

We’re looking for an experienced and skilled dog trainer with in-depth knowledge of canine behaviour and behaviour modification techniques. You’ll need to demonstrate the knowledge and practical ability equivalent to the ABTC Animal Behaviour Technician (ABT) standard or be committed to achieving this accreditation once in role. You’ll have a proven track record of working successfully with a range of breeds and behavioural challenges, including the safe handling of fearful or aggressive dogs. Strong communication skills are essential, with the ability to explain complex behaviour plans clearly to owners in both one-to-one and group settings. You’ll also be confident using digital systems to manage cases, have excellent time management skills, and be committed to delivering outstanding customer service.

What does this team do?

The Behaviour and Community Services department plays a critical role in supporting dog owners when they need it most, ensuring both the well-being of dogs and the safety of families during times of hardship. We offer a comprehensive suite of services, including training and behaviour support, customer support, and outreach programs, all designed to assist individuals facing challenging situations. The department’s aim is to give compassionate support to allow both dogs and their owners to thrive, even in the most challenging circumstances. Through our services, we strive to reduce the impact of challenging situations on people and dogs.
April 24, 2026
Horse Rehabilitation Trainer & Behaviour Advisor – Fixed Term
Horse Rehabilitation Trainer & Behaviour Advisor – Fixed Term

Application Deadline: 4 May 2026

Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services

Employment Type: Fixed Term – Full Time

Location: Rolleston on Dove

Compensation: £26,000 – £30,240 / year

Description

Contract: 35 hours per week – fixed term until May 2027

Salary: £26,000 – £30,240

Location: Rolleston on Dove, DE13 9AU

Closing date: Monday 4th May 2026

Interview date:
- 1st stage interview – w/c 11th May 2026
- 2nd stage interview – w/c 18th May 2026
Are you a specialist in equine behaviour and training who is ready to give horses a true second chance? We are looking for a Horse Rehabilitation Trainer & Behaviour Advisor to join Blue Cross. This is a fixed term role until May 2027.

This is a specialist role focused on behaviour assessment, training, and rehabilitation. You will be working with horses that need expert support to overcome behavioural challenges so they can find their forever families. If you are ready to apply your expertise and uplift our team’s capabilities, we want to hear from you.

More about the role

As a Horse Rehabilitation Trainer and Behaviour Advisor, you are responsible for expertly managing a specific number of horse cases within the horse care service, working alongside other team members. You will ensure welfare standards are met and the assessment, training and rehabilitation of the horses preparing for a new home is completed in the quickest amount of time. You will work with other members of the team to plan for new intakes of horses and keep on track with optimum numbers of horses in training/care. You will play a vital role in supporting horses at every stage of their journey — on site, in foster care, and beyond adoption

No two days will ever be the same. One day you might be guiding an owner through a virtual behaviour consultation, the next delivering engaging team training, supporting a complex case on site, or representing Blue Cross in the media to champion horse welfare and rehoming. This is a role for someone who enjoys being at the heart of change, learning constantly, and sharing their expertise widely.

You will play a key role in uplifting the horse behaviour and training capability within the rehoming team, coaching and empowering colleagues to work with and handle horses to the highest possible standards, ensuring that each interaction is informed by best practice, evidence-based behaviour knowledge and expertise.

You will also work as part of a team to provide excellent customer service, showcasing and promoting Blue Cross horses and ponies to maximise their rehoming opportunities.

The role is primarily Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week, but flexibility is key. Travel, overnight stays, events, and work outside standard hours will be required to meet the needs of the horses and people we support. This is a fixed term role until May 2027.

About you

You will be a confident and experienced horse trainer and educator with excellent communication skills, able to adapt teaching and learning approaches to suit a diverse range of people and horses to achieve the best possible outcomes. You will be highly skilled in both practically demonstrating training techniques and clearly explaining the theory and rationale behind them, enabling others to learn, apply, and sustain best practice.

You will be intuitive, empathetic, and welfare-focused, with the ability to adapt your approach to suit the specific needs of a horse that is looking for a new home. You are just as skilled with people as you are with horses, using your emotional intelligence to coach and support others through complex, and sometimes emotionally charged, rehabilitation cases. You are resilient, pragmatic, and forward-thinking, always looking for innovative ways to support behaviour change and act as a positive ambassador for Blue Cross values.

Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) standard of Animal Training Instructor (ATI) Equine Training Instructor Pathway, equivalent or working towards
- Relevant experience and knowledge of horse behaviour and training techniques, including evidence of success in understanding horse behaviour / training problems
- Extensive experience of carrying out behaviour and training programmes for horses
- Experience of developing training programmes, and delivering to team members, owners or caregivers, that are practical and realistic for a horse owner or team member to understand and undertake independently
- Demonstrable knowledge of equine veterinary care and experience of working with equine vets to treat horses with behaviour problems
- Full UK driving licence
- Experience of public speaking
Desirable Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Hold industry appropriate qualifications, BHS Stage 3 Coach or equivalent
- Media Experience
How to apply

Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on Monday 4th May 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.

Blue Cross benefits

Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today.

In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.

Our generous benefits package includes:
- Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
- Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
- Free access to GP via MetLife- 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
- Health cash plan
- Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
- Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support.
- Life assurance
- 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Recognition scheme
- Annual volunteer days
- Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers
To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the ‘why work for us’ page on our website.
April 21, 2026
Standby Adoption Preparation Handler
Standby Adoption Preparation Handler

Application Deadline: 26 April 2026

Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services

Employment Type: Zero Hours

Location: Rolleston on Dove

Compensation: £14.24 / hour

Description

Contract: Zero hours

Salary: £12.71 plus £1.53 per hour holiday pay

Location: Rolleston rehoming centre, DE13 9AU

Closing date: Sunday 26th April 2026

Interview date: W/C 4th May 2026

Join our team at Blue Cross Rolleston rehoming centre as a Standby Horse Adoptions Preparation Handler! We’re looking for a passionate and experienced individual to care for and train our horses, helping prepare them for rehoming. If you’re dedicated to animal welfare and have solid equine experience, we’d love to hear from you!

More about the role

As a skilled horse handler and trainer, you will manage and care for horses in our rehoming and temporary crisis care services, ensuring they meet welfare standards and are quickly prepared for new homes.

Each day, you’ll handle and train a variety of horses and ponies, collaborating with the Rehabilitation, Trainer and Behaviour Advisor (RTBA) and the Adoptions Preparation Lead. This includes starting and training unhandled horses and ponies.

You’ll work as part of a team to optimise training and provide excellent customer service, promoting Blue Cross horses and ponies to maximize rehoming opportunities. You’ll also collaborate with centre-based volunteers and the Foster Yard Coordinator regarding potential foster horses.

As the public face of Blue Cross, you’ll prioritise customer service in every interaction. Your role is key in helping us achieve our mission and support more pets and horses.

You will be on a zero hour’s contract and therefore you will not have regular hours of work but will be on standby to work shifts as and when required.

For a more detailed look at the role and its requirements, please see the attached job description.

About you

You are intuitive with horses, empathetic, and welfare-focused, with experience in a similar environment. Skilled at assessing horse needs, recognising behavioral signs, and knowledgeable about medications, you understand the importance of quickly finding new homes for horses.

Self-motivated and forward-thinking, you bring creative, collaborative, and pragmatic solutions for horse care. You quickly assimilate and accurately record information while effectively communicating with clients and stakeholders.

In an emotionally charged environment, your resilience and emotional intelligence shine, showing empathy and support for clients and colleagues alike.

Knowledge, skills, and experience
- Demonstrable experience of having previously worked or volunteered with horses or in a horse welfare environment.
- BHS stage 3, NVQ3 or equivalent professional experience
- A working knowledge of caring for a variety of field kept and stabled horses/ponies.
- Experience of handling and training a variety of different types of horses and ponies.
- Experience of starting and producing a variety of young horses.
- Knowledge of basic horse veterinary procedures, common horse ailments and injuries.
- Current full driving licence.
- The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross values
Although not essential, it would be great if you also had:
- Qualification or similar experience in horse behaviour or animal training.
- Understanding of safeguarding issues.
- Practical application behavioural science and learning theory when training horses.
- Preparing horses and ponies for rehoming.
How to apply

Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on Sunday 26th April 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.

Blue Cross benefits

Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today.

In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.

Our generous benefits package includes:
- Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
- Free access to GP via MetLife- 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
- Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers
To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the ‘why work for us’ page on our website.
April 15, 2026