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Search and Rescue dog handler/trainer is it something you can make a career out of?

Basically reality has set in at the moment. I have just realised that i have ONE (or 2 if i stay on but it's still not that long) year of school left before i leave into the big bad world of work. I definitely want to work with animals, dogs specifically. I have always been interested in dog training and it's something i would really love to do as a career. S&R is something that i am really interested in and i've been looking things up on how to get in and what the job consists of and it's something, i've decided, that i'd really like to do. However, i'm unsure if i can actually make a career out of being an S&R dog trainer or if i would have to have another job on the side. Does anyone know? Also if you have any of you have information/experience with S&R work feel free to share it with me. :)

Public Comments

1. Most SAR (search and rescue) dog-handler teams are volunteers. They usually get their transportation to a rescue site and some sort of food (sandwiches?) & a place to sleep (could be a tent) while working but it is not a paying job.
2. Realistically speaking, unless you are selling a lot of pups/adults, not an easy thing for most people, especially when you start out, you are working for an agency doing K-9, or something very similar, no one I know is making money JUST training dogs. Get a real job, make real money and train on the side for extra cash or as a hobby. Hope I helped.
3. Yes you can make a good career out of this. The only problem is that it is hard to get a job like this as there is not many around. I recently visited Woodgreen animal shelter and ther was a few people working with dogs, walking them, socialising them with different thing, training them, teaching them tricks and things like this. Also we saw one person who said they had spent 2 months bonding and socialising with one dog at the shelter. I also want to work with dogs and this looks like a good, fun job to do. Hope I Helped.
4. SAR are almost exclusively volunteers, though there are specialized K9 handlers with other groups like the police, military, or SAR with the national parks service. It is more common to make a career of breeding and showing a working breed (German, Dutch, or Belgian Shepherds are the most common) and have a dog or dogs that you do SAR work with on a volunteer basis than to simply do SAR for a living. Luckily, there is not a high demand for SAR work in the US because we do a pretty good job helping people stay out of dangerous situations to begin with! That being said, when disaster strikes it is very important to have SAR units ready to go at a moment's notice.
5. This was what I had in mind when I went to a Dog Training school. The school specialized in aggression training but it covered ever kind of training with lots & lots of Animal Behavior throw in. Canine Behaviorist, Canine psychologist I was considering either S&R, Border Patrol or cadaver dogs. But life threw me a twist & I didn't make it that far. Search & Rescue or Cadaver Dogs would take you all over the world. Dogs are needed very badly for this. If you like training dogs you will enjoy all the training. I loved it & feel it is a shame one has to get old. That look on a dogs face when he finally gets the concept you are trying to teach him. Most precious thing on earth. Best of luck to you & happy trails (tracking)
6. I just saw this book in an airport while waiting for my flight. A brief look at it made me want it. I think it will give you a great deal of info. The woman who wrote it gave up a career as a pilot but I don't know how she earns a living now. It is my understanding that SAR is volunteer and you need to be able to go where needed at a moment's notice. Amazon.com: Scent of the Missing: Love and Partnership with a ... (19 Reviews) - $26.00 $17.16 as of Mar 28, 2010 Amazon.com: Scent of the Missing: Love and Partnership with a Search-and-Rescue Dog (9780547152448): Susannah Charleson: Books amazon.com/Scent-Missing-Partnership-Search-Rescue/dp/... - 292k - Cached
7. If you want to work with dogs you may want to look into the following Police dog handler Customs and Excise officer dog handler Assistance Dog Trainer for example, Guide Dogs or another assistance dog organisation other careers you may want to think about kennel or rescue home dog carer (used to be called kennel maid) vet nursing It is always quite competitive to find work with animals and can sometimes be low paid when compared to other jobs