Volunteer as an Assistant Dog Trainer

Program Overview: 2-4 Weeks

Join a one-of-a-kind volunteering experience at Second Chance Dog Shelter in Pattaya, Thailand!

Unlike traditional volunteer roles that focus solely on exercising dogs and cleaning shelters — important but often routine tasks — we offer something truly unique.

At Second Chance, you’ll work directly with rescue dogs, learning valuable dog training skills under the guidance of professional trainers. Whether you’re passionate about animals, considering a career working with dogs, or simply looking for a meaningful and life-changing experience in Thailand, this program offers an engaging, hands-on opportunity you won’t find anywhere else.

As a volunteer, you’ll work with 3-4 dogs during your time with us, tailoring your training sessions to meet their specific needs. You’ll gain valuable, hands-on experience teaching essential obedience commands that are crucial for their growth and adoption success. These commands include:

1. Leash walking – Ensuring the dogs are comfortable and well-behaved on a leash, making walks enjoyable for future owners.
2. Sit & Stay – Teaching dogs to remain calm and attentive in various settings.
3. Down & Stay – Building impulse control and trust in the dogs.
4. Spin – A fun trick that engages their minds and bodies.
5. Recall – Helping dogs learn to come back when called, a critical skill for safety.
6. Place – Training dogs to stay on a designated spot, aiding in their focus and patience.

These foundational skills are critical for the dogs’ development, making them more adoptable to potential families while helping you build a deeper understanding of effective dog training principles. You’ll see the direct impact of your efforts as these dogs grow in confidence and readiness for their forever homes.

Agility Training: Building Confidence and Fun

In addition to obedience training, volunteers will also have the chance to explore agility training. This aspect of the program uses agility equipment to challenge the dogs in an exciting and rewarding way. Agility training is not only a fantastic confidence booster for the dogs but also an excellent opportunity for you to learn advanced training techniques. By working together, you and the dogs will build trust, teamwork, and a sense of accomplishment.

During agility training sessions, you’ll guide dogs in navigating equipment such as:

1. The A-frame – Developing balance and courage as dogs climb and descend.
2. Weave poles – Enhancing focus and precision as the dogs weave through the poles.
3. High walk – Teaching balance and spatial awareness on elevated surfaces.
4. Jumps – Instilling confidence and coordination with controlled jumping exercises.

These activities are both enjoyable and impactful, helping the dogs overcome fears, gain trust in humans, and embrace challenges with enthusiasm. For volunteers, it’s an incredibly rewarding experience to see the progress the dogs make as they master these exercises.

Why Volunteer with Us?

Learn Professional Dog Training While Changing Lives

At Second Chance Dog Shelter, volunteering is about more than giving your time — it’s about gaining skills, making a real impact, and becoming part of a dog’s journey to a better life.

Through our Assistant Dog Trainer Program, you won’t just walk dogs — you’ll train them.

You’ll learn essential skills in obedience, enrichment, and agility from experienced trainers, working hands-on with 3–4 individual shelter dogs during your stay.

Every sit, every recall, every moment of confidence you help build increases a dog’s chances of finding a forever home.

By volunteering with us in Pattaya, Thailand, you’ll:

• Gain real-world dog training experience useful for future careers or working with your own pets.

• Help shelter dogs become adoptable through skill-building and enrichment.

• Build lifelong memories and friendships with like-minded animal lovers from around the world.

• Support a rescue shelter that gives disabled and traumatized dogs a true second chance.

This is more than volunteering.

It’s a transformative experience — for you, and for them.