How to become a dog handler: training for the profession, salary, what they do, pros and cons

Author of the article

Maryana Popova

Reading time: 7 minutes

The profession of a dog handler is perhaps the sweetest in the police. In part, it is similar to the profession of a trainer and animal psychologist - that’s why the people who work in it are versatile and interesting. Why is the profession called that? The name of the profession comes from the Greek words kynos - the genitive case of the word “dog” and logos - word, doctrine. We will tell you all the most interesting things about the profession: where you study, what specialists do and how much they earn - in this article.

Profession dog handler - what does he do?

A person with this profession is engaged in training dogs in order to perform various tasks necessary to facilitate the work of the police and military: search, protection, rescue, etc. He studies the physiology and behavior of animals and uses his knowledge to benefit humanity.

Dogs trained by these employees become full-fledged police officers: they, like humans, search for and track down criminals, pick up leads, look for weapons and drugs. Often, dogs are more effective in a particular matter than the police themselves.

The profession is divided into the following specializations:

Nutritionist (develops menus for different types of dogs)
Handler - (preparing dogs for exhibitions)
A person involved (a person on whom a dog is set during training to catch criminals; usually he works in a voluminous padded suit so that the animal does not harm him)
A specialist (instructor, trainer) is engaged in practicing animal behavior, preparing and instructing service dogs, and can also provide assistance in raising pets.
Expert (specializes in knowledge of all breeds, including the behavioral and structural characteristics of each breed. These specialists often work as judges at dog shows).
Animal psychologist (expert in dog psychology).

Professionogram: Dog handler

The name of the profession comes from two ancient Greek words: kynos - dog, logos - teaching. Dogs have been accompanying humans for many millennia. Often them or even as a kind of home decoration. However, these animals have also mastered a number of “working professions,” effectively helping people thanks to their remarkable intelligence, excellent sense of smell, keen hearing, great physical strength, speed, endurance and other qualities.

Let's take guard dogs, for example. Among them there are not only village guard dogs barking at random passers-by, but also real “special forces soldiers” capable of disarming and detaining a dangerous criminal. There are “sniffing” dogs, from which even perfectly disguised explosives or drugs cannot hide, or which can find a criminal by the smell of the traces left behind.

And if, for example, it is necessary to find victims buried under the ruins of a house or an avalanche, a specially trained dog, using scent, solves this problem faster and more efficiently than a rescue team with the most modern technical equipment. There are hunting dogs, sled dogs that specialize in rescuing drowning people, guide dogs (their function is to guide blind people, replacing their sight), etc.

However, the dog will not do any of this if a person does not work with it. She must first be raised and trained (which takes up to 2-3 years), and then looked after and continued training “in a maintenance mode” so that her skills are not lost - only then will she be a truly reliable assistant. A well-trained dog is worth its weight in gold, because to raise it you need to spend several years of daily painstaking work. And those dogs that are kept not for work, but simply for the pleasure of their owners, also need education and at least minimal training, otherwise they will cause nothing but problems.

Representatives of many breeds, especially large ones, are recommended to be taken to special areas where specialist dog handlers conduct classes with them. And the owners themselves, in many cases, also need specialist advice - after all, interaction with the dog must obey certain rules, otherwise it can grow aggressive, uncontrollable, and have unpredictable behavior. If we are talking about some kind of lap dog, the matter will be limited, at most, to the bitten heels of the owners and their guests, but a large and strong dog can do a lot of trouble and will pose a real danger to others and even to the owner himself.

Sometimes dog handlers work in various kennel clubs, where they provide advice to the owners of these animals, train them, ensure purebred breeding and monitor pedigrees. However, more often a dog handler is the owner of his own service dog, trained to perform certain functions (search for explosives or drugs, guard and security service, search and rescue of victims, etc.). Such a person serves in the relevant organizations (for example, in the police or in a rescue squad), going there to work with his four-legged friend. There are even cases where young people who have a well-trained service dog are drafted into the army along with it - for example, to serve in the border troops.

Dog handlers are most often trained in specialized courses. A basic biological or veterinary education will provide some advantage, but this is not a fundamental point. Professional education in this specialty can be obtained in some schools of the Ministry of Internal Affairs; in some places they even train dog handlers with higher education. The best specialists are those who have loved dogs since childhood, have extensive experience interacting with them, and are actively interested in this topic.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the professionalism of a dog handler is not so much the result of training as a consequence of a lifestyle associated with constant interaction with these animals. Among the personal qualities that are important for a dog handler are patience, consistency and organization, endurance and self-control. The ability to empathize—to “feel” into the state of another living being—is also important.

High physical performance is required - after all, the work takes place mainly outdoors, in any weather and is associated with active movements. It is unlikely that good specialists will come from those who are excessively punctual and want everything to be done according to established rules once and for all - after all, animals behave spontaneously and not always predictably.

Although the profession is not a mass one, competent specialists will not be left without work (those who already have a well-trained service dog and are ready to work with it are especially in demand). The income level is approximately equal to the average salary in industry or slightly exceeds it.

Career prospects are not very great. You can, for example, take an administrative position in a dog breeding club or receive an officer rank (while serving as a dog handler in the army, the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Ministry of Emergency Situations). Some specialists have a private clientele or move on to engage primarily in breeding work, breeding purebred puppies for sale.

Required Skills

A prerequisite for this work is a love for dogs - otherwise the specialist simply will not find a common language with the wards, and, therefore, will not be effective. It is also impossible for a person who is allergic to wool to work in this service.

It is important to remember that not all canine individuals can be trained, so a professional dog handler must have great patience and calm. For dogs, he must become a leader, otherwise she will not listen to him - therefore, the specialist must have certain leadership qualities.

Employment - where to work as a dog handler

The scope of work of these specialists is very wide; such specialists can find application in the following structures:

dog breeding kennels;
police, FSB, customs and other government security agencies;
research institutes;
training centers for pets. Here they can both teach dogs good manners and correct behavior, and work with dog psychology - this is what animal psychologists usually do;
specialized centers where guide dogs and dogs are trained to help people with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other diseases related to neurology
In animal salons, such a specialist can successfully work as a groomer.

Advantages and disadvantages of the profession

The advantages of the profession include:

a positive emotional state from constant communication with a four-legged friend (of course, this will only be a plus for someone who loves dogs)
a simultaneous combination of work and hobby (again, only if your hobby is dog breeding).

Minuses:

increased risk of injury - after all, during training, the animal may bite or behave in an unexpected way. This applies to young dogs just starting training.
low salaries. This point mostly applies to government agencies - where dog handlers receive little. But if you go to work, for example, as a groomer and have regular clients (and word of mouth has not been canceled), the earnings can be very decent

Who is a dog handler?

A professional dog breeder must have a number of personal qualities and an impressive amount of knowledge, and be emotionally prepared to work with dogs.

To obtain a specialty, it is not enough to study basic information about a particular breed and the universal principles of interaction with animals. Dog trainer is a multifaceted profession with a number of specializations. Its representative should be familiar with the anatomy and physiology of pets, the specifics of their development, the nuances of character formation, depending on the purpose of the species and conditions of detention.

History of the profession

The first mention of dog breeding as a science dates back to the times of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. At the same time, scientists believe that specialists in dog breeding appeared much earlier - at least 10 thousand years ago, when man tamed a wild animal and began to use it on the farm. The official formation of the direction occurs at the end of the 19th century. Then specially trained people began to purposefully study the behavior of the animal, the features of keeping and using various breeds in everyday life, compiling the characteristics of pets depending on the approach to their upbringing, and breeding new individuals.

Goals and objectives of the specialist

The principles of work and responsibilities of a dog handler are determined by which of the three conventional divisions he belongs to. The service direction prepares representatives of certain breeds for search and rescue operations, military and border service. The actions of the hunting unit include the development and honing of hunting instincts in pets. Decorative dog handlers teach animals the rules of behavior at exhibitions, and are engaged in maintaining and emphasizing their characteristic exterior.

The description of the expert’s tasks and complete information about the profession depend on the dog breeder’s specialization:

Instructors are the basic profession of a dog handler, which involves the proper education of the animal and its development in accordance with the characteristics of the breed. Such specialists can work directly with the dog or give instructions to its owners;
groomers - specialize in maintaining the external attractiveness of the animal and providing it with the care necessary to maintain health. Today they not only cut and comb their clients, but are also able to dye their fur and give it an unusual look using special techniques;
dog experts are experts in the characteristics and characteristics of specific breeds. They use this knowledge in describing animals, drawing up guidelines for their maintenance, evaluating representatives of the color at exhibitions, adjusting the process of breeding pets;
handlers - people who work on honing the correct behavior of participants in exhibitions and shows, on their gait, and their ability to behave in public;
nutritionists – monitor the animal’s diet, select the optimal schedule and type of nutrition, food and nutritional supplements for it. They take into account the pet’s age, weight and breed, its level of activity and health status;
training masters are dog breeders who are able to instill specific qualities and skills in an individual upon request. A true professional will do this so that the animal learns everything it needs from him, but at the same time remains devoted to its owner.

There is another separate specialization in this direction, the representatives of which are engaged in animal breeding. This also includes experts who breed new breeds of dogs.

Pros and cons of the profession

A negative aspect of working in this area is the increased risk of occupational injuries. Dogs can be unpredictable and may bite or scratch an employee. True, dog handlers who have received specialized education experience such consequences very rarely. Not everyone should count on high earnings in the field, at least at the start of their career. Making a profit is possible by breeding dogs for sale, participating in exhibitions, and having extensive experience, which allows you to set high prices for expert services. For some job seekers, the difficulty is the need to master large amounts of information.

Positive aspects of working as a dog handler:

constant “communication” with dogs, which has a positive effect on a person’s psycho-emotional state;
the opportunity to help people when working in the Ministry of Emergency Situations, law enforcement agencies at customs and other important areas;
chances of getting a good profit with a responsible attitude to your work and constant professional development;
Some dog handlers successfully combine working with dogs with other activities.

In practice, the pros and cons of becoming a dog handler are not so important. The relationship between man and animal comes to the fore. Dog lovers do not notice the difficulties and negative aspects. They enjoy the process of working with pets, which often results in financial well-being.

Russian Cynological Federation

In 1996, an organization was created in Russia designed to unite all services related to the breeding, training and maintenance of dogs into one system. Under its auspices, clubs, shelters and animal nurseries were gathered. Uniform operating rules and nuances of cooperation were prescribed for them, which made their existence easier. Today, the Russian Cynological Federation (RKF) includes more than 5 million dog breeders throughout the country. She maintains a database that acts as a stud book. Under its supervision, competitions and exhibitions are held, and contacts are made with similar organizations at the international level. Particular attention is paid to training new specialists in a number of areas and conducting charitable activities.

How to become a military dog handler or in the police

After receiving higher education, you need to contact the FSB, police or other desired service. A specialist is hired at an initial rate with a minimum salary (it will increase every year). The worker takes the dog from the kennel as a puppy (usually at the age of 2 months) - no one gives an adult dog to the specialist. Next comes the usual service - the specialist works as an ordinary ordinary police officer (if he joined the police) and at the same time raises his pet according to all the rules of service dog breeding.

Where to study to become a dog handler

When choosing an institution, you can choose a school, university, or specialized institution that trains specialists for various structures. There are three groups of institutions where you can learn cynology.

1. Colleges of agricultural, agro-industrial, agrotechnical, biological orientation.

Most often these are agricultural colleges with groups in the field of animal science. They periodically recruit for the specialty “Cynology” on the basis of 9 classes with a training period of 3 years 10 months or on the basis of 11 classes with a training period of 2 years 10 months.

2. Universities of agricultural, zootechnical, veterinary fields.

When entering the specialties “Veterinary Medicine”, “Animal Science”, “Biotechnology”, students from the 3rd year study dog breeding. How long does it take to study to become a dog handler at these institutions? 5 years. Admission is possible after finishing 11th grade.

3. Academies of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB, the Federal Customs Service.

Students (cadets) of schools of their choice are given the opportunity to take cynology courses lasting 3 or 6 months. The total duration of training varies from 3 to 7 years. You can enter the listed universities after 9th or 11th grade.

Conscripted military personnel also have the opportunity to obtain dog handler certifications. Once in units where there is a canine unit, they can undergo training and then consolidate their knowledge during military service or contract service.

What does a dog handler do in the police - read the employee's story.

Short courses allowing you to become a dog handler are available at some educational institutions.

MAEO (Academy of Expertise and Evaluation) conducts distance courses lasting 3 months. Based on the results, students receive a certificate. The cost of training is from 15 thousand rubles.
Cynologist courses at the RKF. Available to full-time students. Duration of training is 1 or 2 years. During the first year, students receive education), and after the second year they are assigned the specialty “Expert Trainee in the Field of Cynology.”
Courses at the Federation of Military Dog Breeding in St. Petersburg. Various training formats are offered, from short distance courses to on-site camps for future dog handlers with plenty of practice. The cost depends on the duration and content of the course, ranging from 10 to 50 thousand rubles.
Courses in . Offers full-time and part-time training in the field of Cynology. Duration from 3 months. The cost of training is from 20 thousand rubles.

The most accessible, fastest, and cheapest training is provided by private masters who train their assistants. They provide a knowledge base on everything that a dog handler does, but for deep empirical knowledge it is better to go to a college or university.

Where do they study to be a dog handler: universities and schools

To work in this field of activity, you must graduate from a university with a degree in Animal Science or a college (technical school) with a degree in Cynology (basic training).

Secondary vocational education in this specialty is taught at the canine college of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education MGAVMiB, as well as in some construction and agricultural educational institutions (you need to look at all available specialties before enrolling).

Higher education of the Animal Engineering Faculty with a specialization in cynology is acquired at the Russian State Agrarian University of the Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, at the Voronezh Law Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia and at the Perm Law College of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia.

How to become a dog handler

Every year there are more and more organizations that teach dog handlers. For maximum career opportunities, you need to obtain a higher education. In this case, independent work will not provide the necessary knowledge, practical skills and supporting documents to start activities. You can also study to become a veterinarian and take additional courses.

Options for specialized training:

college - specialty "Cineology" - 4 years of study after 9th grade and 3 years after graduation;
University – specialty “Zootechnics”, “Biotechnology” – 4-5 years depending on the form of study;
Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Emergency Situations, Federal Customs Service - 6-month courses.

What subjects must be taken for admission depends on the level of the institution and its profile. Usually, the Unified State Exam indicators in the Russian language, social studies, and biology are taken into account. To enter a prestigious institution, you may need to pass additional tests. Sometimes psychological portraits are requested from applicants and they are invited to interviews.