Griffith Island Club is a private sanctuary dedicated to sport shooting and game bird hunting. The Club’s members own the 2300 acre island located in Georgian Bay, located near Owen Sound, Ontario, approximately a three hour drive from Toronto.

The Club’s game and habitat management team rear Pheasant and Partridge, managing the land in a responsible manner to ensure an exceptional hunting experience with strongly routed bio-diversity benefits. The Island is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, all of which benefit from the financial and physical investment that the Club makes in managing their land and wildlife responsibly.

In operation since 1973, the Griffith Island Club has built a reputation for quality and professionalism, becoming one of the most desirable private hunting locations in North America.

After an extremely successful tenure with a high end, professionally managed, outsourced services provider, the Upland Gamebird Hunting Club has made the strategic decision to invest in constructing state-of-the -art kennels located on the Island and transitioning to in-house training and management of their 30 highly trained and cared for hunting dogs and continuing the development of their hunting dog program. After a ten year, successful outsource agreement, the Club and the Provider have decided not to renew the contract after its expiry on December 31, 2025.

Starting January 1, 2026, The Club is moving in a new direction to internally manage and control the hunting dog acquisition, training, managing and care programs. This decision is highly strategic and provides the Club with the ultimate in flexibility to continuously improve the hunting and dog experience on the Island while providing for improved care and managing of all aspects of the dog programs, from training to health care.

The Club has implemented a total infrastructure investment program, including the new build of a modern, specifically designed, fit for purpose, multi dog kennel facility. The investment reflects the Club’s commitment to the continued development of the program and services provided to members and their guests.

The new facility will support the housing, care, and training of the Club’s hunting dogs, who will be resident at the Club within the facility, year-round. The Club’s privately owned property provides for a vast and secluded location for the ongoing training, conditioning, and development of the hunting dogs, with a hunting dog recruitment program supported by some of the World’s leading dog breeders and trainers.

As the Club moves into this next phase of exciting development, recruiting for the following key positions within the organization will begin immediately.

1. Head Dog Trainer & Kennel Manager 1 position

2. Assistant Dog Trainer & Kennel Manager 1 position

3. Kennel Assistant 2 positions

Head Dog Trainer

Job Description – Full Time Permanent

The Head Dog Trainer will lead on all aspects of training, animal husbandry, & kennel management to

ensure that operational upland bird hunting objectives are met. They will lead a small team, expected to

comprise of 2 kennel assistants and an assistant trainer.

Working from a brand new (2025) multi dog kennel facility, they will assume full responsibility for the

training and development of up to 30 hunting dogs, comprised of Labrador Retrievers and Pointing breeds

which are handled by the team of professional hunting guides.

The role is a full time, permanent, year-round position that requires relocation to Ontario, Canada, working a live-in position on an expected ten days on, four days off schedule. Considered to be a remote workplace, the successful candidate will be required to live on island during their scheduled shift.

Ideal candidates will have a passion for the care of dogs. They will be confident around dogs of all breeds

and dispositions. They will be able to implement strict SOP’s yet still be able to think on their feet. They

may hold a recognized dog training qualification. They must have experience with working gundogs of all

breeds. They will have hunting experience related to upland gamebirds (Pheasant & Partridge) and

waterfowl. They will be a self-starter with exceptional time management, attention to detail, enthusiasm,

commitment, and integrity.

They will have some leadership or management experience and an understanding of budget

implementation and management.

They will be familiar with the use of office-based programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point. They will be an excellent communicator.

Specific duties will include but not be limited to:

· Manage operational aspects of a modern hunting dog kennel facility

· Ensure the highest standards of animal husbandry and welfare are implemented, ensuring

compliance with any Provincial or Federal legislation

· Train and maintain a kennel of up to 30 hunting dogs for use by multiple hunting guides

· Implement, develop, and maintain a comprehensive training program that is breed specific

o Labrador Retrievers (Flushing)

o Pointing Dogs

· Ensure all hunting dogs are field conditioned prior to the start of the annual hunting season in

· September each year

· Support the delivery of annual guide training, specifically the handling of hunting dogs in the

· field, working closely with Senior Managers, specifically the General Manager, Assistant

· Manager and Head Gamekeeper.

· Manage the hunting dog kennel budget, supported by the General Manager

· Dog acquisitions

· Veterinary health and care

· Dog feed and nutrition

· Kennel maintenance & repairs

· Training & training equipment

· Staff & staff training

· Logistics support

· Establish and implement necessary evaluations relating to dog performance, health, conditioning,

· and welfare

· Develop and implement kennel standard operating procedures (SOPs)

· Provide monthly progress and annual end of year reports with recommendations

· Identify dog recruitment requirements and make recommendations to ensure a fully active kennel

Assistant Trainer/Kennel Manager

Job Description – Full Time Permanent

Ideal candidates will have a passion for the care of dogs. They will be confident around dogs of all breeds

and dispositions. They will be able to adhere to strict SOPs, yet still be able to think on their feet. They

may hold a recognized qualification (such as RVT), and/or a dog training/behavior qualification. They

will have some experience training or handling working gundogs, recreationally or professionally. They

should have hunting experience related to upland gamebirds (Pheasant & Partridge) or waterfowl. They

will be a self-starter with exceptional time management, attention to detail, enthusiasm, commitment, and

integrity.

Considered to be a remote workplace, the successful candidate will be required to live on island during their scheduled shift.

Specific duties, in addition to being the right hand to the Head Dog Trainer, will include but not be limited to:

· Duties as per the Kennel Assistant job description below plus:

· Support the training and maintenance of a kennel of up to 30 hunting dogs for use by multiple

· hunting guides

· Support the preparation of all hunting dogs to ensure they are field conditioned prior to the start

· of the annual hunting season in September each year

· Support the delivery of annual guide training

· Support evaluations relating to dog performance, health, conditioning, and welfare

· Implement kennel SOPs

· Contribute to monthly progress and annual end of year reports

Kennel Assistant

Job Description – Full Time Permanent

Ideal candidates will have a passion for the care of dogs. They will be confident around dogs of all breeds

and dispositions. They will be able to adhere to strict SOPs, yet still be able to think on their feet. They

may hold a recognized qualification (such as RVT). They should have experience with working gundogs

or a desire to develop their knowledge in this field. They may have hunting experience related to upland

gamebirds (Pheasant & Partridge) or waterfowl. They will be a self-starter with exceptional time

management, attention to detail, enthusiasm, commitment, and integrity.

Considered to be a remote workplace, the successful candidate will be required to live on island during their scheduled shift.

Specific duties will include but not be limited to:

· Observe animal appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness,

· disease, fatigue and discontent.

· Exercise dogs in line with the established programs and under the direction of the Head Dog

· Trainer.

· Support delivery of the established dog training and conditioning program.

· Report signs of illness, disease, injury, or unusual activity to the Head Dog Trainer and/or

· General Manager.

· Apply knowledge of normal food and liquid requirements of animals. As required, provide

· special food and liquids.

· Ensure that kennels and dogs are properly identified.

· Clean, disinfect and maintain kennels, runs and stalls as often as is necessary to ensure no cages

· or kennels are soiled, and odors are not apparent and in line with the kennel SOP’s

· Wash and sterilize water and food bowls.

· Launder and dry towels and blankets.

· Patrol kennel grounds daily, picking up any trash and stool material.

· Empty trash.

· Groom and bath dogs as required or directed.

· Record information such as feeding schedules, appearance, behavior.

· Maintain boarding areas thru proper stocking and cleaning.

· Responsible for maintaining boarding inventory including but not limited to kennel food, bowls,

· bedding, leashes, grooming supplies, and cleaning supplies.

· Work well with all employees and ensure that your actions support the objectives of the

· organization.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $25.64-$38.46 per hour

Expected hours: 40 – 45 per week

Benefits:

Company events
Dental care
Discounted or free food
Extended health care
On-site parking
Paid time off
Store discount

Work Location: In person

Private Club

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