As a dog handler you'll be based at Melton Mowbray during training and as your first posting.

26 May, 2020 15:06

As dog handler your main roles and responsibilities are looking after the dogs every morning.
this evolves walking them and cleaning their kennels.

26 May, 2020 15:08

Once you complete your class 1 course you'll be posted out to your first unit as an attached dog handler.

26 May, 2020 15:09

Thank you, this is very helpful! Where could you be based after training?

26 May, 2020 15:11

Would you consider it a rewarding position?

26 May, 2020 15:11

A any one of the infantry regiments or units deploying on operations.

26 May, 2020 15:14

Yes, but the role does require you to be a robust person.
you will be outside a lot and on some days there wont be much to do, other than walking and caring for the dogs.

26 May, 2020 15:16

Thank you for the help. I have heard it is a position that is very desirable and has a long waiting list. Do you know if there is one and how long it is by any chance?

26 May, 2020 15:16

Are you able to practice weapon handling and markmanship while you have down time?

26 May, 2020 15:17

Yes it is a very desirable job in the army, currently there is a 6 month waiting list.

26 May, 2020 15:22

What happens during the 6 months? do you do basic training then wait 6 months or wait 6 months then do basic training?

26 May, 2020 15:24

No, range time and any weapons specific training will be done as a unit.
unless you express any interes in becoming a weapons instructor.
this can only be done after completing trade training and a minimum of 12 month in your current unit.

26 May, 2020 15:24

Wait 6 months and then do basic training.

26 May, 2020 15:25

I know that you can get qualifications within the job such as dog training, when would this be completed. In your free time or would there be designated times?

26 May, 2020 15:26

These will be done during designated times and courses.

26 May, 2020 15:32

Ah, okay thank you. Do you know what other qualifications are offered?

26 May, 2020 15:42

Its on the Army jobs website or Army medical services on social media.

26 May, 2020 15:49

Thank you. Do you know how often dog handler get deployed or put on important duties?

26 May, 2020 15:53

That's up to the regiment you are attached to, it could be every 3 years or every year on shorter deployments.

26 May, 2020 15:55

Thank you. When you start as a dog handler do you get paired with a dog that has already been trained up, sorry if it's a stupid question. Or do you learn how to train them?

26 May, 2020 15:57

Not to sure on that one, please ask on the social media sites.

26 May, 2020 15:59

Ok thanks for your help.

26 May, 2020 16:04

Hi there,

I am a Dog Handler currently based at 1 MWD in Oakham.

You will be first based at The Defence Animal Training Regiment, Melton Mowbray for your Phase 2 training. During this time you will learn how to be a Patrol Dog Handler. The lessons will range all the way from how to clean a kennel, how to take a bite from a dog in a bite suit, veterinary training, grooming, theory lessons and hopefully ending with how to operate efficiently with a Military Working Dog (MWD). During your Phase 2, you will also be loaded onto a Level 3 apprenticeship in Animal Care.

After your Phase 2, you will then be posted to 1 MWD Regiment, Oakham, where you will begin your Dog Handling career. You will be assigned a Patrol Dog that you will need to maintain and continue its training. You will also be upskilled annually on veterinary first aid, ranges and you will be able to complete your apprenticeship in Animal Care.

In the future you may be chosen to specialise in Search where you can go down two different avenues - Arms and Explosives Search (AES) or High Assurance Search Dogs (HASD). This is all down to your experience and recommendations.

I hope this helps! If anybody has any other questions, please do not hesitate to direct them to myself.

Ellie

24 July, 2025 10:18