Dog Handler

Dog handlers work with their dogs to help prevent and detect crime or to find lost and missing people. Dogs are used for a range of different work activities:

• as guard or patrol dogs
• to search for explosives, weapons or drugs
• to detect drugs, cigarettes and other products that are brought into the country illegally
• to search for missing, lost or injured people
• to find where fires have been started in an arson attack
• to protect people
• to track and detain offenders.

Dog handlers learn how to use a series of commands and signals to indicate what they want their dog to do. Some working dogs live with their handlers, who are responsible for exercising, feeding and grooming them.

Hours of work vary. They can be long and include evenings, nights and weekends. Dog handling involves standing and a lot of walking. The work is mostly outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions.

Salaries for private security dog handlers range from at least £15,000 a year up to £25,000. Dog handlers who work for organisations such as the police, fire and rescue or prison services, are paid according to the salary scales of their organisations.

Dog handlers should:

• know how to care for their dog
• work well both independently and in a team
• be reliable, patient and self-confident
• have a genuine interest in working with dogs
• have good communication skills.

Dog handlers are employed by police services, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), fire and rescue services, the armed forces, prison services, industrial and commercial companies and private security companies. Many handlers in private security are self-employed and are hired by security companies.

Some organisations, such as the police, HMRC, fire and rescue services and prison services, only accept applications for dog handling from people who already work for them. Academic qualifications may not be required to become a dog handler in private security, although employers may prefer some experience of working with dogs. The armed forces do not specify any qualifications, but many applicants have GCSEs, including English and maths.

Training varies between different organisations, but it usually lasts several weeks. Handlers in private security may train in a range of security work.

Promotion is possible in the police, the armed forces, HMRC, fire and rescue services and prison services. Dog handlers in private security may become supervisors or managers. They may also set up their own security firms.

Further details