I've contacted several K-9 companies in the U.S. and Canada about training for them. The Canadians are more than willing to hire me (at I expected), however my wife tends to dissagree with a Northern experience for her and the kids.(ha-ha)
The American kennels are mostly interested until they ask about my experience and I mention that I was an EDD handler in the Marine Corps. A have been asked if Doc Hilliard trained me, a few just ended the conversation, one woman in PA asked, "you were trained at Lackland" ?.. I replied "yes" and she said "yeh, SURE" and hung up on me, and one guy asked me about 200 questions and simply stated that he couldn't afford to employ me. Do I need to attend a civilian trainer school or ... what ? What gives ? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

A civilian trying to become a trainer for the police is nearly impossible. An unknown getting his foot in the door with an established business as a trainer is almost as hard.

Try F.L.E.T.C.(Federal Law Enforcement Training Center) in southern Georgia. They are always in need of trainers and the pay is pretty good. You will be training EDD's only and are expected to turn out about 10-20 dogs a month. It could get monotonous. Good luck.

Howard

Nevermind getting a job, I had an incredibly hard time finding a club that I could PAY TO TRAIN WITH!

I've said it before, there is an element of "you're not worthy" surrounding the dog world. Secretive, gaurded somewhat paranoid attitudes.

If you do a basic search on the interenet, You'll get back all kinds of results saying things like "secrets of top trainers", "insider info", "top secret dog training", and a MILLION other ways of implying secretivness about dog training. This is the one thing that really ticks me off about the dog world.

Good luck with you endeavors

Gee, that's too bad, my experience was just the opposite.
I guess its 'cuz the check cleared, I had a dog and I bought the beer <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Michael,

You're right about the secretiveness in the civilian world of K-9. That may be one of my problems, I'm expecting the same respect as what we showed each other in the military. Regardless of what service branch we all trained together when we were deployed and helped each other with our partners problems(if any), and we were very professional among the K-9 "bubbas". I noticed that when I asked some of the people I spoke with about other kennels, I felt as though I was in high school again...the little sewing circle he-said-she-said thing..... Regarding the other guy who responded to my post that "his check cleared" is what I'm learning about the civilian side...if you have the money, then your dogs must be the best. Maybe it's becasue of the shady business ethics going on. I visited a kennel in Georgia in the fall, on my way to Florida from Camp Lejeune, they had the highest prices for training in the Atlanta area and they used shock collars, but the owners were oblivious to the fact....money really can't buy integrity, it's a shame.

Oddly enough, after I posted this yesterday I received 2 different phone calls from kennels in the Orlando area about hiring me...This must be a magic employment site as well as informative...hope Leerburg won't charge me a fee..Ha-Ha <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

I know what you mean by "unknown"..but I"m fairly certain tht only a few trainers have learned in a classroom environment where others are shooting at you and you're pup while you're working.

About the kennel you mentioned... 10-20 dogs a month ? I see..so basically it's a production line ? How can any trainer produce 20 quality dogs in a month ? or did you mean the kennel puts out that many....or is it just producing dogs that counts ? I'm not being facitious, I'm trying to figure this out...and preparing myself so I know what to expect...

Hi Darrin,
The name is Dennis, not "other guy". I was just trying to be a funny guy. The club I go to is mostly former/retired military like myself and LEO. They have been very helpful in showing me the ropes even tho I have a crap dog. That might be a good place for you start looking for your network. When I got out it took me about 4 years of chatting ppl up to find a job that could pay for all my bad habits. Keep at it, you'll get there. and yes I agree, sillyvilians think weird. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hey Darrin, I'm in Orlando - if you don't mind me asking, which kennels are you referring to? I'm not looking for a job I'm just curious - I'm not familiar with too many quality training kennels around Orlando, although I am sure there are some.

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Hey Darrin, I'm in Orlando - if you don't mind me asking, which kennels are you referring to? I'm not looking for a job I'm just curious - I'm not familiar with too many quality training kennels around Orlando, although I am sure there are some.

Same here.

F.L.E.T.C. supplies trained EDD's all over the world. I looked into going there but was put off when I heard how many dogs they require you to train. These are not teams, It is just you doing the training for an unknown future handler. Lots of work. I passed on the idea.

Howard

Hi Mike,

I was contacted by Universal K-9, Florida K-9, and 911 K-9(I think their in Sanford).

911 said that he's in the process of signing a new government contract and as soon as it goes through he could hire me....I have an inteview with Florida K-9 on Tuesday so we'll see how that goes... and Head Trainer at Universal seemed interested, but I didn't get the warm and fuzzy from the owner(Air Force guy) so I have my fingers crossed.

To bad the American trainers were'nt as enthusiastic as the Canadians...I met and interviewed with the Toronto International Airport authority last fall and he's constantly emailing me...my wife is 100% against going to Canada. Too bad, they're offering $75k to start. Mainly bacause I made a great contact 2 years ago with a kennel master at a private police agengy in Toronto and he's buddies with the TIAA fellow, so he helped alot with that.