Hi

I haven't worked with the military working dogs unfortunately, I wish I had though as I love dogs and have two border collies. So I asked a female private dog handler from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) to answer this question for you. She says:

When completing phase 2 training you will start off as a protection handler and will be given a protection dog. This dog will be yours until the chain of command believe you ready to complete a specialist course.


You are likely to be a protection handler for up to a year but this could be longer depending on spaces available for specialist courses and your capability as a handler in general. During this time your dog will be yours to work with and yours when deploying on exercises, it is your responsibility for the welfare and care of this dog, but you may change dogs at any time depending on how well you work together as a team.


When completing a specialist course you will then be given a dog of that specialty. As with the protection role, this will be your dog when you deploy on operations and exercises but like before this could change at any time and you have to be able to handle whichever dog is given to you.


When deploying as a dog handler it is a very rewarding but hardworking job role. You have to be able to look after yourself like every soldier but also completely care for a living animal. This includes before the deployment packing for yourself and the dog. Responsibility for the dog's safety and welfare lies with you, this is extremely rewarding and as such it is easy to get attached to these animals but it is not guaranteed you will always work with the same dog.

24 April, 2020 14:06

I want to know everything there is to Dog Handling. I'm unsure whether it's right for me or not.

05 July, 2020 00:37