Dog handler job

Dog handlers are those who work with canines that have been properly trained to assist in the detection and prevention of criminal activities as well as the search for missing individuals. They are accountable for the care of the dogs, including feeding them and ensuring that they are under control at all times.

Dog handlers are often employed by the police, the armed forces, customs and excise, or private security agencies; however, they are also used by other organizations as the fire and rescue service and the prison service.

The Work Being Done

Police dog handler Centers dedicated to the training of police dogs are known as police dog training centers. The dogs and their handlers live together in the same house. It's possible that:

use a trained victim recovery dog to search for a missing person over open land or inside buildings

pursuing a suspect who could be armed with a knife, pistol, or another kind of weapon

looking for evidence to support a claim

Keeping watch over detainees

preserving order in a crowd, such as at a football game or any kind of sports event

looking for weapons of mass destruction and illicit substances

ensuring that your dog receives consistent training in order to maintain high standards.

ensuring that the dog receives both food and exercise

caring for your dog in the comfort of your own home after it has "retired" from its working life.

Army and RAF dog handler The Defense Animal Training Regiment is responsible for the training of both RAF and Army canines. The dogs live in kennels. It's possible that:

protecting military installations or aircraft while they are stored in hangars

locating and apprehending terrorists

finding injured and suffering casualties

trying to locate landmines and other types of explosives

ensuring that your dog receives consistent training in order to maintain high standards.

providing the dog with food and exercise.

UK Border Force anti-smuggling detector dog handlers The Metropolitan Police or the Defence Animal Training Regiment are the ones responsible for the training of detector dogs. The dogs live in kennels. It's possible that:

cigarettes, illicit narcotics such as heroin, cocaine, and cannabis, or food items or animals that are prohibited, such as detecting these.

Using a dog that has been taught to sit as a "passive reaction" when it smells narcotics and observing travelers at an airport or seaport

using a "pro-active" dog that has been taught to locate illicit objects, including persons who are being smuggled, concealed in planes, boats, automobiles, or trucks.

ensuring that your dog receives consistent training in order to maintain high standards.

ensuring that the dog receives both food and exercise

taking care of a "retired" dog at your house after it has finished its working career.

Firms specializing on private security Your dog and you would be trained to work together by the company. It's possible that:

providing security at a structure or construction site, maybe overnight

strolling around the perimeter of the facility searching for trespassers

addressing complaints of intruders and conducting investigations into the matter

requesting assistance from the police in the event that intruders are discovered

preventing theft of precious items when they are being transported

ensuring that your dog receives consistent training in order to maintain high standards.

providing the dog with food and exercise.

Pay

The following numbers should only be used as a reference. The actual pay rates may vary based on the following factors:

where you make a living

the magnitude of the business or organization for which you work.

the level of competition for the job.

See the information provided in the job descriptions for Police Officer, Army Soldier, Royal Air Force Airman or Airwoman, and Border Force Officer or Assistant Officer for specifics on beginning pay when joining the police, the army, or the RAF, as well as when joining the Border Force.

There is a wide variety of starting pay rates for newly qualified dog handlers in the private security industry in the United Kingdom; nevertheless, the average annual salary falls somewhere between £18,000 and £20,000. Dog handlers with significant experience or expertise might anticipate earning up to or more than £26,000 per year.

Conditions

Conditions are different depending on the organization that an employee works for. These are described in further depth in the job descriptions that are linked to in the "Pay" section further up.

When you work in private security, you will spend the most of your time being active. You might be required to work shifts, which could include evenings and weekends, as well as be on call in case of an emergency.

In any scenario, you and your dog would have a very close working connection with one another.

There is always a possibility of being wounded by a dog or getting bit by one.

Getting In

Police dog handler

You have to start by signing up for the police force.

The qualifications needed to apply may be found in the Police Officer job description.

Before you are eligible to seek to become a member of the dog section, you must first complete a probationary term that lasts for two years.

There is a lot of competition for spots in the dog area, and there is frequently a waiting list.

You and the dog that was allotted to you would put in a number of weeks working on specialized training together.

Army and RAF dog handler

You have to sign up for the army or the RAF first.

The employment descriptions for the positions of Army Soldier and Royal Air Force Airman or Airwoman include the entrance qualifications.

You need to complete your basic training before you can become an army dog handler.

You have to be a member of the RAF police in order to be able to handle dogs for the RAF.

You would first finish the required training for the police department, and then you would train with an RAF dog for an additional two weeks.

UK Border Force anti-smuggling detection dog handler

Joining the UK Border Force is the first step.

The qualifications needed to apply may be found in the job description for the position of Border Force Officer or Assistant Officer.

Before you may apply to be trained as an anti-smuggling detection dog handler, you are required to first have experience working as a Border Patrol officer.

After that, you will complete training in both dog handling and anti-smuggling techniques.

Firms specializing on private security

A solid background in general education is beneficial.

Previous experience working with animals may be quite beneficial.

In most cases, you need to be at least 18 years old.

A license issued by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is required of all security guards, including those who work with dogs.

You are required to submit to identification checks and participate in a sanctioned training program.

Active labor requires that you have a certain level of physical fitness.

What are the Prerequisites?

You are required to have:

looking for someone that is interested in working with and caring for dogs

confident while interacting with humans and canines alike

capable of dealing with huge dogs

observant

dependable as well as accountable

competent to make excellent decisions

capable of working both alone and collaboratively, with or without supervision

capable of surviving challenging or potentially harmful circumstances

in good physical shape.

Training

Training might be somewhat different depending on the organization that you are employed with.

To become a member of the police, the armed forces, or the border patrol, you must first complete general training before moving on to instruction in dog handling.

The goal of any training for dog handling is to teach both the person who will be working with the dog and the dog itself how to collaborate effectively.

There are a number of different organizations that provide training for dog handlers in the private security sector. A qualification from the National Association of Security Dog Users may be attained via the completion of certain courses (NASDU).

Getting On

There is a broad variety of room for advancement in the ranks of the Border Patrol, the Armed Services, and the Police Department.

However, if you are in one of these situations, being promoted can imply that you have to stop working with dogs.

Dog handlers working in the private security business have the potential to further their careers and become supervisors or managers.

In addition to this, it's possible for them to launch their very own private security company.