Military Working Dog Handler Career and Life After Service

Becoming a military working dog handler is an incredibly rewarding career, but it's not without its challenges. Military working dog handlers typically serve for 4-6 years, with some handlers serving up to 8 years.

After serving, many handlers find it difficult to adjust to civilian life. A significant number of handlers experience PTSD, anxiety, and depression, with up to 75% of handlers experiencing some form of mental health issue.

However, with the right support and resources, handlers can successfully transition back to civilian life. Many handlers go on to pursue careers in law enforcement, search and rescue, or even start their own dog training businesses.

Handlers can also leverage their skills and experience to find employment in fields such as security, customs, and border patrol.

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To be a successful handler, you need to be incredibly patient, compassionate, and have a good work ethic. This is especially true when creating a bond with your animal, which takes hard work, repetition, and dedication. It doesn't happen overnight, and handlers must be prepared to continue training every day.

A military working dog handler's day is filled with care and affection for their four-legged service-member. These dogs require lots of attention, and their handlers often come to think of them as friends.

The military has a strict "one dog, one handler" policy, which means that a dog will only ever work with one handler. This policy is in place to foster the utmost trust and loyalty between a working dog and their handler, which is essential to a good partnership.

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To become a military working dog handler, you'll need to complete a few steps. The Army has a dedicated MOS, 31k, that allows you to select the job and get a guaranteed slot in the course, but this is only available to active-duty soldiers.

The Military Working Dog Handler Course is 55 days long and covers classroom work, hands-on training, and working with MWDs. The course is divided into three blocks, with the first five days focused on classroom work and the remaining 50 days dedicated to hands-on training.

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To qualify for the course, you'll need to pass a medical screening, background check, and obtain a passport. You'll also need to complete an interview with the kennel master or unit commander.

Here are some key requirements to keep in mind:

The military has a "one dog, one handler" policy, so you'll work with the same dog throughout your career. This bond is built on trust and loyalty, which is essential for a successful partnership.

As a handler, you'll have the opportunity to work with a variety of dogs, each with their own unique needs and personalities.

You'll need to understand the different roles that handlers can take on, such as detection work, search and rescue, or guiding the blind.

Handlers who specialize in detection work must be able to identify specific scents, such as narcotics or explosives, and indicate to their dog when they've found what they're looking for.

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Detection dogs are trained to detect a wide range of substances, including narcotics, explosives, and even bed bugs.

Handlers who work in search and rescue must be able to navigate challenging terrain and communicate effectively with their dog to locate missing people.

Search and rescue dogs are trained to locate missing people, survivors of natural disasters, and lost children.

Guiding the blind requires a handler to work closely with a guide dog, using verbal cues and physical guidance to help their partner navigate their surroundings.

Guide dogs are trained to walk alongside their handler, avoid obstacles, and stop at curbs to prevent their partner from stepping into the street.

Ultimately, the specific role you choose will depend on your skills, interests, and the needs of the dogs and organizations you work with.

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To become a military working dog handler, you'll need to meet specific requirements that vary depending on your branch of service. The military only covers conventional military handlers in the Military Working Dog Handler Course.

The course is run by the 341st Training Squadron, which we reached out to for the most up-to-date requirements. Each branch program provided its current requirements as of February 2024.

Service members will need to meet specific requirements based on their branch of service.

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As you prepare for the Military Working Dog Handler Course, it's essential to prioritize fitness. The course is located in the San Antonio, Texas, area where temperatures can rise to over 100 degrees, making hydration and physical conditioning crucial.

The course is designed to push you mentally and physically, with three written tests and hands-on evaluations that assess your ability to work with MWDs. You'll spend a lot of time training with your assigned dog, developing a strong bond that can be challenging to leave behind.

Flores emphasizes that a service member with poor physical fitness will struggle with the course conditions and strenuous work involved. Maintaining a solid understanding of hydration is key to success.

The course has a low attrition rate, but candidates who fail hands-on evaluations or written tests get a second chance after remedial training is complete. If you're injured or become ill, you may be dropped or recycled from the course.

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You won't always work with the same dog, but if you and a training aid form a strong bond, you'll spend a lot of time together. At the end of the course, you'll return to your unit, where you'll be assigned a new dog.

The course starts with classroom work, covering the health and welfare of MWDs and the history behind canines. This is where you'll quickly learn whether you've chosen the right career.

Becoming an active-duty dog handler is a significant step in your journey to becoming a handler. You'll have the opportunity to advance over time, but you'll still be responsible for training and taking care of your animals.

To qualify for this voluntary assignment, you must pass a medical screening and background check. You'll also need to obtain a passport and successfully complete an interview with the kennel master or unit commander.

The Army K9 Unit is just one of the ranks you can join as an active-duty dog handler. You'll be part of a team that works together to train and care for the dogs.

Here are the key requirements to become an active-duty dog handler:

You want to become a military working dog handler? The first step is to get trained at the Military Working Dog Handler course, where all U.S. military canine handlers receive their training.

This course is run by the 341st Training Squadron, which is responsible for training both handlers and dogs for all branches of the military.

To qualify, you'll need to be confident and competent in working with dogs. You'll also need to be able to work well under pressure and take criticism.

About 1,600 military working dogs are currently serving in the U.S. military, spread throughout all branches of service.

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Handler training and certification is a rigorous process that requires dedication and hard work. The Military Working Dog Handler Course is 55 days long, broken down into three blocks of classroom work and hands-on training.

To become an MWD handler, you'll need to complete a basic training program at Lackland Airforce Base in Texas, which includes care, feeding, grooming, and dog-specific first aid. You'll also complete conditioning training, controlled aggression training, and other basic obedience training with your dog.

After completing the course, you'll be eligible to earn a certificate to show that you can guide a military working dog and read its responses. The certification test includes odor recognition and practice searches. To maintain your certification, you'll need to recertify every year and likely complete updated training as well.

Here's a breakdown of the certification process:

The Military Working Dog Handler Course is a significant undertaking, and its length is a key factor to consider. It's 55 days long, which breaks down into classroom work and hands-on training.

The course is divided into three blocks, with candidates eased into training throughout. You won't train with the MWDs until blocks two and three.

The Military Working Dog Handler Course is a rigorous 55-day program that pushes candidates mentally and physically. It's divided into three blocks, with classroom work and hands-on training.

You'll start with classroom work, learning about the health and welfare of the MWDs, as well as the history behind canines. This is a great opportunity to learn whether you've picked the right career.

The course includes training on care, feeding, grooming, and dog-specific first aid. You'll also learn how to instruct your dog to chase and take down suspects, go through obstacles, and handle conditions under gunfire.

In the second block, you'll receive your dog and learn basic obedience, how to search buildings, and introduce working dogs to gunfire, scouting, and controlled aggression. The training aids are ready to work, and they'll often teach you the commands.

The third block focuses on detection type work, including searching for drugs and explosives. You'll learn how to read your assigned dogs and use decoy techniques safely.

To earn certification, you'll need to pass a certification test that includes odor recognition and practice searches. You'll also need to recertify every year and complete updated training.

Here are the key takeaways from the course:

Veteran K-9 handlers can easily transfer their skills to fields like security or law enforcement, where they can continue working alongside their loyal canine companions.

Some handlers even go on to become veterinary technicians or civilian dog trainers, capitalizing on their expertise and experience with dogs.

Dogs who leave military service may need extra care due to PTSD or anxiety, and will be placed with families who can provide that support.

After serving with their handlers, some K-9 dogs may struggle with PTSD or anxiety, requiring special care and attention from their new families. These families must be prepared to provide the extra support these dogs need.

Dogs that experience the loss of their handler can mourn for a long time, and in some cases, they're adopted by the handler's family so they can grieve together. This can be a healing experience for both parties.

K-9 dogs that are ready to continue working after their military service can transition into careers as security dogs or work with their handler in law enforcement. Their skills are easily transferrable to these fields.

Veteran K-9 handlers can also leverage their skills to become veterinary technicians or civilian dog trainers, making a smooth transition into civilian life.

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The U.S. military had a canine force in World War I, with dogs carting ammo carts and machine guns, warning of incoming deadly mustard gas, and more.

The U.S. military officially recognized dogs in the military on March 13, 1942, when Dogs for Defense was established to recruit dogs for the War Dog Program, known as the K-9 Corps.

Dogs have been used in every war in American history, but they were brought into an official position in the military during World War II.

The first sentry dog school was opened in 1952 at Showa Air Station, Japan, and a second school was opened in 1953 in Wiesbaden, West Germany.

The Air Force owns the lineage of the military Working Dog Handler Course, which was established in 1957 at Lackland Air Force Base.

The 341st Training Squadron was established on April 1, 1994, and has run the program ever since, training handlers, kennel masters, and MWDs.

Several MWDs have sacrificed themselves for the better good of our country, serving as a reminder of the bravery and dedication of these canine heroes.

The U.S. military had a canine force in World War I, where dogs carted ammo carts and machine guns, warned of incoming mustard gas, and performed other tasks that put their lives on the line.

The military dogs didn't become officially recognized until March 13, 1942, when Dogs for Defense was established to recruit dogs for the U.S. military's War Dog Program, known as the K-9 Corps.

Dogs have been in every war in American history, but they were brought into an official position in the military during World War II. In 1942, the US Military partnered with civilian organization Dogs for Defense to create an experimental program to train and deploy dogs.

The first sentry dog school was activated in 1952 at Showa Air Station, Japan, and a second school was opened a year later in Wiesbaden, West Germany.

By August 1942, there were 5 different training centers across the US, working with over 18,000 dogs, but only 8,000 initially recruited dogs would pass the training and go on to deployment.

The DOD Military Working Dog Program was established at Lackland Air Force Base in 1957, bringing all working dogs and handler training under one roof.

The 341st Training Squadron was established on April 1, 1994, and has run the program ever since, training handlers, kennel masters, and MWDs.

Did you know that the K9 unit is a vital part of our military and law enforcement teams? There are about 2,500 K-9 dogs in service today, with approximately 700 serving overseas at any given time.

Some dogs begin training as young as 7 weeks old, which is crazy to think about! Only about 50% of dogs pass training, so it's clear that this is no easy feat.

Dogs are selected to be trained based off their love of a ball or Kong toy, since this is how they will be trained and rewarded throughout their service. This makes sense, as a happy dog is a motivated dog!

The US Military trains approximately 300 dogs every year, which is a significant number. Some dogs can even be trained to jump from planes or rappel from helicopters, talk about a thrill!

Dogs are, by tradition, considered non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and are one rank higher than their handlers. This ensures that the dogs are well-taken care of while serving, which is only fair.