I'm interested in a non-LEO/MWD career as a narcotics/explosives/cadaver detection dog handler. I know only the bare minimum concerning this work and have been trying to find more information. I have quite a few questions. If anyone here can help, let me know!

Thanks!

Are you just interested in getting paid to work a dog? What I mean is are you looking for a job in this and want info on how to find one, or do you want to know about how to work a dog?

Particularly in Metropolitan areas you will find opportunities to work a dog if you are not LEO or Military. The problem is, you must have insurance to cover the dog and you as the handler, and that is difficult to obtain. Most insurance companies want a dog that has formal training, documented everything, etc. I still have not put my dog to work simply because she is not certified. I have formal training with her, but no certification as of yet.

Even if you are only working the dog in narcotics in the private sector, you had better have something to back you up. Some sort of recognized certification is the only way to go. Also, the certification must be legitimate, meaning it has been tested in courts, etc, otherwise you leave yourself open for a lawsuit that you have little defense against.

Also, pick a discipline that you want a dog to work, and stick with it, meaning do not expect to have a dog that can detect bombs and drugs. It is not realistic, particularly in the private sector! Not to mention it is dangerous. If you want to have a bomb dog in the private sector, you sure as hell had better have some certification, and damn good insurance, that is if you can find coverage.

Search this website as much as possible and you will learn tons of valuable information......decide what exactly it is you want to accomplish, be specific, i.e. where you plan to work, what discipline your dog will work, what type of dog will you use, where will you get the dog, what certification will you get, what insurance you will need, what training will you need, how much will it cost to operate, etc......think of EVERYTHING!

You don't need to have any experience in some fields to work a dog. They sometimes will train you. An open mind is easier to work with.

As far as hours, commitment, and training...

I log an average of 36 hours a week working my dogs when there isn't a search to go on. Commitment... I don't get paid for any of my work, and my team goes on about 1 search a week.
Training... I'm required to attend at least 2 seminars a year, train as a group on average of 1 time a week, go to obedience 1 to 2 times a week, agility is 1 time a week, and I still manage to work a job <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Our D.O.C. dog handlers train during their times between scheduled prison searches. They get paid anywhere from 8.00 an hour to 12.00 an hour (depending on years of service). Most have never worked a dog/ or even owned one in their life.

You can certify a dog in several different fields, but it's not wise as ya'll said. A dogs reliability goes down some IMO if you expect them to do to much.

If you want to be hired as just a handler, then the private company you work for should provide the insurance. There are a few companies out there that hire handlers, and provide the dogs. You might search the internet for K9 Handler Careers and see what you come up with. Hours vary and you'll typically be on call. As far as the pay, it depends on the areas you work and who you work for. I know of some companies that pay their bomb teams $35k and up.......if you get into it for yourself, you charge what you want.....pros and cons either way.

Depending on the area you live in, or at least plan to work in, you should be able to pick the discipline that will keep you the busiest. I personally wouldn't recommend bomb detection simply because of the danger involved. Particularly if you want to work for a private contractor that could send you overseas. You never know. Your call though.

The certification will depend on the company you work for. Some companies keep immaculate training records and don't certify their teams. To me, that is a problem waiting to happen. Ultimately it is the training that makes the team, but the certification is something that makes it official and recognizable in a court of law (less to argue over). The certification should normally apply to both narcotics and explosives detection, but I am not certain about other disciplines. I am sure you can see why it would be crucial to have certification in at least narcotics or explosives, especially if it went to court.

There are various avenues of obtaining certification, the question is, which are credible, and which are not so credible. Many of the larger police K9 associations will certify LE teams, but not private security teams, though there are some that do. I am in the process of finalizing cert training with the HAPDA (Heartland of America Police Dog Association, Tom Brenneman). Mr. Brenneman will certify private security teams........something you might look into.

As far as you learning how to become a handler, there are many schools that can teach you how. Brenneman's is one, I think Josh Lewis at New England K9 is another, and I am sure if you ask around others can point you in the right direction.

Good Luck