Location
- San Diego, CA
Summary description:
This SkillBridge position provides transitioning service members with structured, hands-on training in professional K9 operations. Participants will receive instruction and supervised experience in police and working-dog training systems, canine handling, obedience, detection fundamentals, patrol applications, safety protocols, and operational standards. This is a training and professional development program designed to prepare participants for civilian careers in canine training, law enforcement, and security fields.This position is non-employment, unpaid by the industry partner, and conducted in compliance with all DoD SkillBridge requirements.Training ObjectivesParticipants will:Learn professional K9 handling and training fundamentalsDevelop an understanding of canine behavior, drive, and conditioningAssist in structured training sessions under instructor supervisionLearn safety protocols, risk management, and use-of-force considerationsGain exposure to operational K9 deployments and scenario-based trainingDevelop instructional and communication skills applicable to civilian K9 roles
Job description:
SkillBridge K9 Trainer / Canine Operations Apprentice
Eligibility factors:
California
Typical pay $40K – $64K/yr
Median pay: $49K/yr
What Animal Trainers typically earn in California — from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2025). It's the going rate for this line of work, not this employer's offer.CareerPCS publishes these benchmarks with explicit limits so they are not mistaken for an employer offer or a prediction.Read the salary methodology