Hi,

I'm 16 and I want to become a Dog handler, I've always wanted to. The thing is, I'm a bit stuck as theres too much to take in and I need some advice. I could go into the Army when I'm 17 to start training as a Dog handler, but I'm not too sure. I could be a security guard for a Prison or a private company, the thing is, you have to be 18 to get the licence. I could be a Dog handler for the National Search and Rescue Dog Association, the thing is, you have to be a member for a year at your local Mountain rescue team, and I live just outside London, so I don't think that's possible.

There are also a lot of other courses available, there are just so many, like COAPE, and some others in Colleges and Universities, do you recommend these.

I would really appreciate your help.

Thank you for your time,
Stevj016.

i am also 16 and thinking of the same thing so i would also like to look in on this please

First of all i would recommend joining a training group. Preferably one that does obedience or working trials and go from there. Learn as much as you can before trying a course. Its usually a good idea to have a basic knowledge in canine behaviour if you want to be a handler. There is a good course run by Compass education which is a home learning course. If you do that in conjunction with a training group you get the hands on aswell.

If you are still interested after that, it's worth talking to the trainers etc at your group as they may be able to point you in the right direction.

Bear in mind if you joined the police or army you would have to do a basic two years service then apply to join the dog section, which you will then be vetted for. Its a hard area to get into as its very popular so you have to know your stuff. It also depends on what sort of handling you want to do??

is it in a behaviour capacity or do you want to train dogs to supply security firms etc...or did you want to help with rescue?? theres even show handling! it depends on what route you want to go really!

Hope i helped...a bit..its an area i want to get into aswell and i'm currently in the process...for the last 10 years! Its a lot of hard work and i've had to take the long route of learning through experience, but i'm starting qualifications in behaviour now..I want to work rehabilitating rescue dogs. I already do foster care and i've learnt alot doing that also.

I'm 19, and shared this dream for a long time lol.

I went to college and studied for a National Diploma in Animal Management. It's a REALLY good course and you get quite a bit to do with dogs. If you're thinking of going down the education route this is one of the best ways to go.
After that I started university studying Animal Behaviour Science, but I had to quit. This could give you a head start in a career but can also make you over qualified, starting at the bottom of the career ladder and doing all the necessary training can also be good!

My friend is in the army doing dog training, he's still in training himself though. If you want more to do with animals than all the physical training and stuff you have to do for the army I wouldn't recommend it. Basically, you don't have to JUST work with dogs, you get the same basic training as everyone else, then you become specialised.

And with the search and rescue thing, you're probably right that you won't be able to because you live in London. So I can't suggest anything there. LOADS of places do other things to do with dogs, have you thought about dog training (like domestic dogs) or grooming or walking... there's so many opportunities.

Best advice I can give is get a job to do with dogs. It doesn't have to be directly working with them, it can even be sweeping up dog hair in a grooming parlour or something. In the animal work field, experience is more important than qualifications for most jobs, so if you show that you have the experience and also the passion for the work you're more likely to get the job than someone who's been to uni for the past 3 years and has very little experience.

Hope this helps

If it is behaviour side you want to go, there is courses in college, my brothers doing one on animal behaviour and phsyology , and im doing a course in animal studies but that is more science based.

Also if you talk to one of the members called babytashi (my sister)-she also wants to be a dog handler within the police she knows alot more than me on that one she finished a course in uniformed public services and has just started her degree in it. I do know that with things like the army, police etc.. you need to do so many years normal service, and that even after youre 2+ yrs normal service its still quite hard to get into dog handling. So you could try gettin experience in that field maybe volunteering??

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Princess Kaya xxx

yes i am going to my nearest college thats does animal care in berkshire, but im doin an apprentship at the moment witch last 6 mounths so i wont be going there till another year yet..but i would like to go down the root of rescue more so thinking of that as the apprentship im doin will give me NVQ level 1 and 2 in animal care and a certificate in animal first aid..

Cool ive in my 2nd year of animal management love the course not so sure on the people lol, im going to take a yr out after finishing the course to go to America with a professional handler to get experience, then uni after that good luck on your courses

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Princess Kaya xxx

thank you and enjoy your time out in america it sounds amazing x

Ahhh I loved the people on my course. Made some great friends! We've all gone our separate ways now.

One works at the Hawk Conservancy.

One's in the Army and has been accepted for Dog Handling.

One is running her own chicken farm.

One works in a laboratory.

One is working with wolves in Norway or some other country in that area of the world.

One is in the army in the Royal Horse Guard.

And one is working in a camera shop

And I'm going back to university then next summer I'll be working in Australia for a couple of months.

The people on my course arent the nicest of people, but ive met some really nice people on my course bit of a mixed bunch.

They have got really good jobs out of it well not quite sure the camera shop one really goes with the course but oh well lol.

That will be amazing to work over there, ive always wanted to go looks like such a nice place

what you going to do in uni?

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Princess Kaya xxx