Hiring Employees that Have “IT”

Once upon a time, all pet care facilities were operated by employees that had “IT.”  For most of us…we were those employees…the entrepreneur who started the business.  We had “IT” and we could manage the dogs with ease.  Then we started hiring other people and we quickly realized that hiring the right people was hard.  We had to find the people who had “IT.”  You know…the people who could read the dogs, understand the dogs, handle the dogs…all as if by magic.  Those are the people that have “IT.”  And we all want those employees. 

For a long time I bought into this myth that only certain people has “IT” and could work with the dogs. I attempted to find them in my hiring process.  I attempted to find them by creating better job descriptions and better interviewing processes.  I did on site interviews so that new potential employees could work with the dogs. Surely that would allow me to see “IT” in action and I would be sure to hire the right people.  And those things were helpful, but I still failed to find enough people with “IT.”

Soon, I realized, “IT” has to be taught.  And then I was celebrating because “IT” CAN be taught.  Each employee I hire can be taught how to read the dogs, understand the dogs, handle the dogs…all as if by magic.  But it takes time and it takes an employee who is willing to learn.  Amazingly enough…I found that most of my employees not only wanted to learn, but they thrived on this education!  My staff was better and now my care of the dogs was better too.

These teaching tools have become The Dog Gurus Leadership Exercises which are included as this month’s Bonus.

Each of these exercises will help your staff learn the “IT” required to be an excellent leader of the dogs.  

To help you, we’ve included a few video clips to demonstrate some of the exercises.  We hope you will find these useful. Show them to your staff and challenge them to practice. (Note: These videos are all part of our comprehensive staff training program, Knowing Dogs.

Videos: