I started a new drug detector class today. Six Troopers from our department and a local police officer and his dog. The class breaks down to; 2 GSD's, 1 Czech Shepherd, 1, Mal and 3 Labs. Two of the shepherds and the Mal will enter patrol dog training later this fall, after completion of the drug course. The next several months are pretty much planned for me. This drug class,(10 weeks) a patrol dog class (12 weeks) an explosives detector class (14 weeks)and then I'll set back and watch my replacement conduct a drug class that will be my last. I plan on retiring in April of '09. Tomorrow is dog assignments, principles of conditioning, first aid and playing with the dog some. While I would have preferred starting this class in February, as originally planned, I guess we'll just suffer the heat. Probably a lot of late evening and nights. Oh well, ya do what ya can with what ya have.

DFrost

Hey there David,

Ok im new to the fourms here, i take it your a trainer for Police Departments? I was wondering how you got into that. Im in the military and by the time i get out i will have just over 5 years of working dogs. Any advice would be great. Granted im not getting out till the end of 2010

Michael, yes, I'm the trainer for a state agency. I started in the military as well. I spent 23 years in the military dog program, 13 of them at Lackland. I was fortunate to have a couple of offers for employment with dogs when I retired and I took the one I thought I would enjoy most. Location had a great deal to do with that as well. If you are interested in law enforcement, there are many options available both on the federal and local level. You just have to go where the opportunities are. There are a lot of seasoned trainers in law enforcement, the problem is there are a lot of smaller programs that don't have a dedicated canine training staff. I'm fortunate we do. You still have a couple of years yet, make contact with different departments that use dogs and see what positions are available. Most department require that you be an officer for a couple of years minimum before being eligible for special assignments, which canine is considered. Good luck in your future and than you for your service to our great country.

DFrost

Hey there,

Thanks for the great info. But honestly i have no intrest in working for the police department if i have to do the probationary period. What i was asking about (what i thought you did) was contracting for the police departments. A police department back home has 12 handler slots a officer slot and also 1 slot for a civilian trainer. The Civilian trainer spot is what i am most interested in, i wasn't sure if there is a big market for it or not (i am sure location is a BIG part of it)

Ahh, I see. I'm a sworn member, not a contractor.

DFrost