About us
Howls N Hearts is a Mississauga dog walking and pet care company. We offer private walks, pack walks, off-leash group outings, and drop-in visits for dogs and cats. We work with everything from easygoing family pets to dogs that need more structure than the average walker can give them.
This isn’t a “let the dogs do whatever they want for 30 minutes” job. It’s hands-on work with real dogs, and it takes someone who wants to get good at it.
About the hours (please read this part)
We are growing, and this role grows with us.
You’ll start with a small number of guaranteed hours — roughly 5 hours per week to begin. Hours increase as new clients come on board, and we’re actively adding clients. If you need 40 hours in your first month, this isn’t the right fit. If you want something steady to build into a bigger role, this is exactly the right fit.
We’d rather be upfront about this than have you find out in week two.
How the role grows
Starting out: solo private walks with our easier, well-mannered dogs. You’ll learn our routines, our clients, our app, and our standards on dogs that give you room to learn.
As you build skill: you’ll come out with the owner on pack walks as a second handler, learning to read dog-to-dog interaction — what’s normal play, what’s a small signal that’s about to escalate, and how to step in before it does.
Eventually: running your own packs. Walking up to eight dogs on leash from the vehicle to the park and managing a group safely is the hardest thing we do, and nobody gets handed a pack until they’ve earned it.
What you’ll be doing
- Private one-on-one walks, where you meet the dog at their home
- Drop-in visits — backyard potty breaks for dogs, and cat visits that include feeding, litter box cleaning, and playtime
- Once you’re running packs: picking up and transporting dogs to and from client homes in your own vehicle
- Following each dog’s specific handling plan exactly as written
- Detailed check-ins, photos, and notes through our client app after every session
- Entering client homes with keys or codes, and leaving them exactly as you found them
Requirements
- 18 years or older
- Your own reliable vehicle and a valid G licence. Public transit isn’t an option for this role — you’re moving between client homes on a schedule with tight windows, and once you’re running packs you’ll be transporting dogs in your vehicle.
- Comfortable with balanced training methods. We are not a force-free company. You need to be comfortable using training tools and giving fair, well-timed corrections for inappropriate behaviour. If that conflicts with your training philosophy, we’re not the right workplace for you, and that’s okay.
- Physically capable of safely handling large, strong dogs
- Reliable and punctual. Our clients build their day around us.
- Comfortable working outdoors year-round in all weather
- A smartphone and comfort using scheduling/GPS apps
- Willing to complete a criminal record check
- Looking for a long-term position, not a summer job
Nice to have (but not required)
- Previous professional dog handling, kennel, vet clinic, rescue, daycare, or training experience
- Canine first aid certification
No professional experience? That’s fine. If you have the right attitude, the right availability, and you’re good with dogs, we will train you. What we can’t train is reliability, a driver’s licence, or a willingness to learn.
What we offer
- Employee position with proper T4 payroll — not a contractor arrangement
- Business liability and bonding insurance covered
- Gear and equipment provided
- Real hands-on training in dog handling and balanced methods that you’d normally pay for
- Paid training. Your onboarding hours are paid — you’re not shadowing for free.
- Genuine growth. As our client list grows, so do your hours and responsibilities.
To apply
Send us a short note telling us:
1. Your availability — which days and time blocks you can commit to
2. Whether you have your own vehicle
3. Any experience with dogs, professional or personal
4. Why the balanced training approach makes sense to you
We read every application. If you’re a fit, we’ll set up a phone call, then a working interview where you’ll come out on walks with us.
Pay: $18.00-$40.00 per hour
Expected hours: 5.0 – 25.0 per week
Licence/Certification:
- G or G2 license (required)
Location:
- Mississauga, ON (required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: On the road
