Onboarding plan
Animal Caretaker Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)
A practical, printable plan to take a new animal caretaker from first day to full productivity.
Animal Caretaker onboarding at a glance
Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.
Before day one
- Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
- Verify required credentials: National Dog Groomers Association certification, Fear Free certification (as applicable)
- Prepare equipment and access: grooming clippers and shears; grooming tables and tubs; dryers; leashes and harnesses
- Assign a buddy or preceptor
- Enroll the new hire in Animal Caretaker training so foundations are covered before or during week one
Week one: orient and protect
- Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
- Read animal body language
- Use muzzles and safe handling when needed
- Wash hands to prevent zoonotic disease
- Lift animals properly
- Shadow an experienced animal caretaker through a full shift
- Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)
Days 1–30: learn
Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.
- Supervised practice: bathe and dry a dog
- Supervised practice: trim a dog’s nails
- Supervised practice: supervise a dog playgroup
- Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
- 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins
Days 31–60: contribute
Goal: handle a regular workload independently.
- Feed and water animals: independently
- Clean enclosures and kennels: independently
- Exercise and socialize animals: independently
- Bathe and groom pets: independently
- Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
- Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
- 60-day check-in
Days 61–90: own
Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.
- Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
- Begin cross-training on a secondary task
- Agree on a credential goal (for example, National Dog Groomers Association certification)
- Discuss the career path: Kennel Attendant → Groomer or Daycare Lead → Facility Manager
- 90-day review
Competency checklist
| Skill or task | Trained | Observed | Signed off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathe and Dry a Dog | |||
| Trim a Dog’s Nails | |||
| Supervise a Dog Playgroup | |||
| Animal handling | |||
| Grooming | |||
| Kennel sanitation | |||
| Dog body language |
How to measure onboarding success
- Time to independent work
- Injuries and equipment damage
- Quality checks, client complaints or animal outcomes
- Seasonal return rate
How Animal Caretaker training maps to this plan
- Introduction to the Animal Caretaker Role
- A Day on the Job
- Essential Animal Caretaker Vocabulary
- Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Common Tasks, Step by Step
- Tools, Equipment and Technology
- Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
- Skills Employers Look For
- Launching Your Animal Caretaker Career
- Final Knowledge Check