MUST
LOVE
DOGS
Our staff are our priority!
When they’re happy, our customers are happy.
The East Coast Dog values integrity, transparency, teamwork and knowledge. We pride ourselves on, not only the quality of our products and services, but on our exceptional, knowledgeable and dedicated team of dog experts. It is only by providing an excellent customer experience that we are able to do the thing we are most passionate about, creating happy and healthy pets!
Fair Wages & Benefits
We recognize that paying fair and sustainable wages constitutes a critical investment in the long-term prosperity of our business and the economy at large, by fostering a dedicated, skilled and healthy workforce.
Inclusive Work Environment
We measure inclusion by way of a sense of belonging, connection and community at work. We are committed to fostering an environment where staff feel encouraged to thrive. Between voicing diverse points of view and finding a sense of connection to others, inclusion is very important to us.
Opportunities for Growth
The East Coast Dog recognizes that opportunities to grow, whether that be in our careers, personal life, or hobbies, is key to an overall general satisfaction and success. We are here to support and encourage that growth in our team members, so that they are prepared to thrive as a team!
Available Positions
Experienced Dog Groomer
Dartmouth Location
FULL TIME | 32 – 40 HOURS PER WEEK
SALARY PAID POSITION
PAID VACATION & SICK DAYS
HEALTH & DENTAL BENEFITS
Job Description: The Groomer at East Coast Dog Shop & Grooming Co. is a skilled, compassionate professional dedicated to providing exceptional grooming services with care, consistency, and attention to detail. They deliver an outstanding experience for both pets and their owners by building trusting client relationships, maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare, and contributing to the positive reputation of East Coast Dog.
This role is ideal for an experienced groomer with at least two years of professional full-service grooming experience who demonstrates advanced technical grooming skills, confidence handling dogs of all breeds and temperaments, and a strong commitment to Fear Free practices. Above all, they treat every dog with patience, kindness, and respect.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Maintain a high level of professionalism & customer service
- Render full grooming services offered: puppy & intro grooms, bath & tidy grooms, full cut & style grooms
- Safely & humanely de-matting and detangling hair as required
- Bathing, shampooing, conditioning & drying pets
- Trimming pets’ nails, brushing teeth, and cleaning ears
- Grooming and styling pets according to owners’ instructions and standard grooming styles
- Accommodating, to the best of your ability, special requests that pet owners may have
- Identifying health issues in pets, such as ear infections, skin conditions, or tooth decay, and informing pet owners of these observations
- Submit daily grooming notes & photos
- Ensuring that all pets are safe and that Fear Free practices are always used during the grooming process
- Routinely cleaning work areas
- Recommending suitable products to pet owners
- Recommending maintenance schedules & discussing Fear Free protocols with clients
- Checking out grooms and rebooking client appointments
Skills & Role Requirements:
- Required: Proven experience in a professional grooming salon setting. Applicants must demonstrate confident, safe, and compassionate handling skills with dogs of various sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
- Grooming/Vet tech Certification, preferred but not required
- Sound understanding of animal behaviour & body language
- A commitment to treating all animals with compassion & care
- The ability to stand for long periods of time
- The ability to lift heavy pets and equipment
- Excellent communication skills
- Exceptional customer service skills
Junior Dog Groomer
Dartmouth Location
PART OR FULL TIME | 16 – 40 HOURS PER WEEK
HOURLY PAID POSITION
HEALTH & DENTAL BENEFITS (FULL TIME ONLY)
Job Description: The Junior Groomer at East Coast Dog Shop & Grooming Co. is a compassionate, motivated professional who is passionate about animal care and eager to develop their grooming skills in a supportive, Fear Free environment. Working under the guidance of senior team members, the Junior Groomer is responsible for providing high-quality bathing and maintenance grooming services while assisting with the day-to-day operations of the salon.
This role is ideal for someone with professional animal handling experience and foundational grooming skills who is looking to build a long-term career in professional dog grooming. Above all, they treat every dog with patience, kindness, and respect.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Maintain a high level of professionalism and exceptional customer service.
- Safely and humanely handle dogs of various sizes, breeds, ages, and temperaments using Fear Free handling techniques.
- Perform bathing and blow drying, brushing and preparing coats for grooming appointments.
- Trim nails and clean ears.
- Assist Senior Groomers with grooming preparation.
- Learn and perform basic maintenance trims (feet, face, sanitary areas, etc.) as training and experience allow.
- Ensure all pets remain safe and comfortable throughout their visit.
- Routinely clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, kennels, tubs, and grooming tools.
- Assist with salon organization, and maintaining a clean, professional workspace.
- Check out grooming appointments and assist with rebooking future visits when required.
- Participate in ongoing training and actively work toward developing advanced grooming skills.
Skills & Role Requirements:
- Required: Previous experience bathing, blow drying, brushing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning in a professional setting. Applicants must demonstrate confident, safe, and compassionate handling skills with dogs of various sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
- Grooming/Vet tech Certification, preferred but not required
- A strong interest in pursuing a long-term career in professional dog grooming.
- Sound understanding of canine behaviour and body language.
- A commitment to treating all animals with compassion, patience, and respect.
- Excellent communication and customer service skills.
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
- Ability to safely lift dogs and grooming equipment.
- Willingness to learn, accept feedback, and continually improve technical grooming skills.
Growth Opportunity: The Junior Groomer position is designed as a developmental role for individuals working toward becoming fully independent, experienced groomers. Successful team members will progress to the Senior Groomer role as they consistently demonstrate advanced technical grooming skills, excellent time management, strong client communication, and a commitment to Fear Free handling practices. Throughout this role, Junior Groomers will receive ongoing mentorship, expand their breed-specific styling knowledge, refine advanced grooming techniques, and continue developing the confidence and expertise required to independently manage a full-service grooming schedule while delivering the exceptional standard of care East Coast Dog is known for.
Assistant Dog Groomer
Dartmouth Location
PART TIME | 8 – 24 HOURS PER WEEK
FULL TIME | 32 – 40 HOURS PER WEEK
HOURLY PAID POSITION
Job Description: The Assistant Dog Groomer at East Coast Dog Shop & Grooming Co. is a compassionate, dependable professional who is passionate about animal care and interested in pursuing a career in the pet grooming industry. Working alongside and under the supervision of our Senior Groomers, the Assistant Dog Groomer plays an essential role in supporting the grooming team by assisting with bathing and drying services, maintaining a clean and organized salon, and ensuring every pet has a safe, positive experience.
This role is ideal for someone with professional dog handling experience who is eager to learn the art of grooming in a supportive, Fear Free environment. Above all, they treat every dog with patience, kindness, and respect.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Maintain a high level of professionalism and exceptional customer service.
- Safely and humanely handle dogs of various sizes, breeds, ages, and temperaments using Fear Free handling techniques.
- Assist Groomers with bathing and blow drying dogs, brushing and preparing coats for grooming appointments.
- Learn grooming techniques and handling skills under the guidance of Senior Groomers.
- Routinely clean and sanitize grooming tables, tubs, kennels, tools, dryers, floors, and workstations.
- Restock towels, empty garbage and recycling, and maintain a clean, organized salon environment.
- Clean and disinfect equipment according to salon protocols.
- Restock grooming supplies and notify management when inventory is running low.
- Assist with checking pets in and out and rebooking appointments when required.
- Participate in ongoing training and actively develop knowledge of professional grooming techniques and Fear Free handling practices.
Skills & Role Requirements:
- Required: Proven professional dog handling experience in a veterinary clinic, dog daycare, grooming salon, or similar professional animal care setting. Applicants must demonstrate confident, safe, and compassionate handling skills with dogs of various sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
- Sound understanding of canine behaviour and body language.
- A genuine passion for animal welfare and a desire to pursue a career in professional dog grooming.
- A commitment to treating all animals with compassion, patience, and respect.
- Excellent communication and customer service skills.
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
- Ability to safely lift and handle dogs and grooming equipment.
- Willingness to learn, accept feedback, and continually develop new skills.
Growth Opportunity: The Assistant Dog Groomer position is designed as a developmental role for individuals interested in becoming professional dog groomers. Successful team members will graduate to Junior Groomers and receive hands-on mentorship from Senior Groomers and the opportunity to progressively learn bathing techniques, coat preparation, maintenance trimming, grooming fundamentals, and Fear Free handling practices as their skills develop.
East Coast Dog is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Our customers come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for small businesses, you will find a home at East Coast Dog.
Apply here:
Thank you for your interest in joining our team!
We review every application carefully. If we feel that your skills and experience are a strong match for the position, we’ll reach out to you directly to arrange an interview. Please note that only selected candidates will be contacted.
East Coast Dog