How to Become a Canine Handler
If you are someone who is interested in working with dogs, you might consider a career as a canine handler. Canine handler shows owners how to teach their dogs to obey commands. A canine handler is a highly skilled professional who is in charge of canine partner. Those in the role use their canine’s advanced smelling capability to sniff out and detect certain scents to find contraband, such as explosives, drugs, and other harmful items. A canine handler has a great knowledge about dog behavior, knowing what their canine partner is trying to signal during detection work.
How to become a canine handler?
Becoming a canine handler requires a good level of commitment and training to the profession. Handlers are responsible for their dog and carry out the work efficiently for which the dog has been trained. Here are some of the essential steps to follow if you want to become an excellent canine handler.
- Earn a degree
Earning just any degree won’t give you a tag of being an effective canine handler. Rather getting a bachelor’s or an associate degree in Criminal Justice can prepare you for this career. While preparing for this role, you might consider joining an organization for aspiring law enforcement officers. You can also join some programs with the local law enforcement agency that will help you to prepare for this field.
- Get relevant experience
It is very important to get the relevant experience in order to become an effective canine handler. Before officially becoming a canine handler, you must complete all the courses and programs so that you’ll learn about rules, regulations, and other things in depth. Once you complete your training, you can then start gaining relevant experience as law enforcement professional.
- Apply to the K-9 Unit
Once you are in a law enforcement agency, you can apply to a K-9 unit to start your canine handler training. This process may not only involve an interview and physical tests but will also include the process of getting to know the dogs on your unit to make sure you are a good match. Once you are part of this unit, you will begin your training to learn about canine behavior, search techniques, signals, and other important aspects.
- Earn a certification
Being able to properly handle your canine partner requires patience and a lot of training. Once you complete your training, you will undergo certain tests and if you are successfully able to pass the test then you will get the certification.
- Complete the continuing education
Even after becoming a certified canine handler, you may still need to learn more skills and expertise in that particular field. So, never stop learning. The more you attend training sessions, conferences and courses, the more you will get a deep insight into your canine partner and realize how you can effectively handle them.
Becoming a canine handler can be a real challenge, but if you are passionate about your canine partner, then this role will just overwhelm you.
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