“How many times a week can I expect to be bitten?”
That was the question one applicant asked us during an interview a few years ago. At her previous daycare, she shared that being bitten once a week was considered normal.
We were stunned—but unfortunately, it’s not uncommon in this industry.
From the very beginning, one of our core visions for The Bark Yard was to create a workplace where dog-loving individuals could build a real career path – not just take on a high-stress, low-paying, high-risk job.
With that in mind, we’ve invested heavily in education, training, and ongoing staff development.
Our Training Philosophy
We don’t believe in throwing people into a playgroup and hoping for the best. Safe, thoughtful dog handling is a skill—and it’s one we take seriously.
For New Team Members (No Prior Dog Experience)
Every new hire begins with at least one full week of hands-on training alongside a senior team member before working independently one on one with our dogs.
During this time, they:
- Complete an industry respected course in canine body language
- Learn safe handling and leash skills
- Shadow experienced staff in enrichment sessions
- Observe basic, force-free training techniques
- Practice under supervision before working one-on-one with dogs
Only after being observed and evaluated do they begin conducting unsupervised solo enrichment sessions.
For Experienced Candidates
Even experienced daycare hires go through a minimum of two weeks of structured training—regardless of their background.
Why? Because not all experience is created equal.
Many facilities still rely on outdated methods rooted in fear, force, or intimidation. Our approach is different. We are committed to fear-free, force-free handling, which often means helping experienced staff unlearn old habits and rebuild their skillset from the ground up.
Their onboarding includes:
- Revisiting foundational handling techniques
- Shadowing senior staff in both enrichment and group settings
- A second week of supervised, hands-on work
- Gradual introduction to group management
New team members don’t immediately step into high-energy playgroups. They begin with calmer, well-matched groups and progress as they build confidence, awareness, and skill.
Why This Matters
Proper training doesn’t just support our team—it directly impacts the safety and wellbeing of every dog in our care.
When staff understand canine communication, stress signals, and appropriate intervention, the risk of incidents is dramatically reduced.
And importantly—it creates a safer, more sustainable work environment for our team.
Our Commitment
Investing in our staff is one of our core values. We’re proud to go above and beyond to ensure that the people caring for your dogs are knowledgeable, supported, and continuously learning.
Because exceptional care doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through intention, education, and experience.
