Dog handlers are responsible for training or conditioning dogs for a specific purpose. They may train dogs to be more obedient, perform rescue missions, detect contraband substances, or protect property.
When interviewing dog handlers, the most suitable candidate will demonstrate enthusiasm, the ability to handle different breeds and sizes of dogs, and a love for dogs. Be wary of candidates who have low energy as well as poor problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
Question #3 How to become a Detection Dog Handler
Interviews for Top Jobs at MSA Security
Explosive Detection Canine Handler Interview
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at MSA Security (San Diego, CA) in Aug 2015
Interview
Interviews are in office and they may not tell you to where business attire, but definitely wear business attire; business casual. It helps to know someone that already works for the company, it also helps to have K9 experience, but you can still get the job without either.
- Talk about experience with Military/law enforcement. Experience with Canine handling.
Interview Questions for Dog Handlers:
Demonstrates the candidate’s knowledge of animal behavior, ability to handle difficult situations, problem-solving skills, and experience.
What measures would you take to prevent fighting between dogs during socialization times?
Demonstrates the candidate’s industry knowledge, observation skills, and experience.
How would you train a naturally docile dog to protect property?
Demonstrates the candidate’s ability to evaluate dog behavioral patterns, knowledge of animal behavior, and experience.
Hey guys! So I got scheduled for an interview next week as Canine Handler at DTW. I’m looking forward to the opportunity and the HR department has been in constant contact with me over the last week getting everything they needed in order to move to the interview. So far it’s been a good experience.
I like to think I interview pretty well for jobs. But this one has got me thinking how I should be prepping and what kind of questions I will be answering for this line of work. I’m not looking for the “right” answers more than just interested in what they’re looking for in their hires. I’m not exactly sure how many vacancies there are, but I like to go in on these believing there’s only one.
Example: “If my dog was not cooperating for a training exercise, I would first try to determine why he wasn’t complying with commands. If it’s because of distractions or other environmental factors, I would remove them so we could focus on our training. If my dog is distracted by something else, like another person or animal, I would call off the training session until later when there are no distractions.”
Example: “I would first do some research on the new equipment to learn more about what it does and how it works. I would then compare it to the current K9 equipment we use at my current job. If the new equipment can help us perform our jobs better, I would be happy to make the switch. However, I would only do so after testing it with my dog to ensure they’re comfortable with it.”
Example: “I admire my friend’s handler because of his dedication to his dog. He always makes sure that he takes care of his dog both physically and emotionally. I’ve learned from him that it’s important to take time with my dog every day to make sure they’re happy and healthy. I think that taking care of our dogs is just as important as taking care of ourselves.”
In this guide, we’ll provide some sample K9 handler interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.
Example: “I make sure my dog gets plenty of rest and exercise every day. I also take him to the vet for a checkup twice a year. During these appointments, the vet checks his weight, blood pressure and overall health. The vet also gives him any vaccinations he needs and performs other tests as needed. I feed my dog a high-quality diet with all the nutrients he needs to stay healthy.”
What Are Some of the Duties of a Detection Canine Handler?
Detection dog handlers are teamed up with a detection dog specifically trained to identify a target substance. Detection dog can be trained to search for drugs, explosives, traces of bomb-making materials, blood, agricultural items, firearms, or money. A canine handler is responsible for understanding their canines signals and then initiating a contraband search, then turning over an prohibited substances.
FAQ
Why do you want to be a canine handler?
What does a TSA dog do?
How do you become a drug sniffing dog handler?
