Staffing Tip #1: "Don't Hire the "I Love Dogs!" Person

It may sound harsh, I mean of course your staff have to love dogs, but there is a lot more to it than that. One of the first things you will notice when you begin hiring is that there are an awful lot of people out there who 'love dogs'. They will come rushing in droves when they see your advertisement for staff, with no experience, some with photos of family dogs, others with just a passion for playing with dogs 24/7. Don't hire these people no matter how much you may feel they should be given a chance.

In saying that, if someone is absolutely desperate to work for you and won't take no for an answer, consider taking them on as a volunteer for a few shifts working alongside your current staff. Don't think of it as a money saving option and put them on the schedule in a regular shift. If you then decide to train them up bear in mind that the valuable time you take training them could be wasted if you (or they) decide they're not cut out for the job. Make sure they are aware of the hard work involved in the job, that it is not just about 'playing with dogs', the potential hazards involved in working with animals and what kind of remuneration they can expect for their time.