How can I get the 31K MOS?

It’s all about the needs of the Army. Many people want 31K... if you’re set on that MOS, don’t enlist into anything else. Reclassing into 31K from 31B isn’t easy. I’ve seen it done at the local level but it’s very rare. Hold out until you get what you want. I hope you’ve done your research into 31K... expect long training days, lots of TDY, and rotating weekends to include holidays (someone has to take care of the MWDs). You’ll also be working the road with the MPs on top of everything else. You’ll have mandatory training hours once certified no matter what’s going on. It’s an awesome MOS but it’s a lot of work. If you have the passion for it, don’t settle for less... just be patient.

You will also have to find a unit that is going to have K9... not every installation uses K9, second you do have to go 31B first, then if you get assigned to a unit with K9, be under good standings, such as PT, Height and Weight, etc.. and ask for the school... another thing is that they are not gonna give 31K to a new recruit, you have to earn that...

There's no specific time they open. School seats are a finite resource, like buttermilk biscuits at the dinner table. They get put out all at once and everyone jumps on them.
You can sit around and wait, possibly for a year till one becomes available and possibly another year from then till you ship. Or you can pick something else. Don't believe the hype about being able to reclass into it later, there are even fewer seats available for Reclass.

I enlisted in September with 31K. It's not impossible, it's just all about timing and the classes are small (my class is 17 people, 19 if you count those changing MOS to 31K, and the previous class was 25 people). Tell your recruiter you only want to enlist as 31K and stand by it. It'll be available eventually. If it's what you want wait for it. Your recruiter will try to sway you but if you stay firm they wont really have a choice unless they just dont want to recruit you. In the meantime definitely look at PFT standards and start working on it now so you arent worried about passing in basic or AIT. If you have any questions feel free to ask but I'm in AIT right now so I still only know so much. Good luck!

There are a ton of factors involved. First, its not an option unless youre going Active Duty. Second, there is a mass waiting list, it was an additional skill identifier, and now it is its own MOS. Heres the breakdown
https://m.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/legal-and-law-enforcement/military-working-dog-handler.m.html

It's not a MOS identifier you get on enlistment. You must take the basic 31B MOS first and then after spending a bit in the MOS 31B status you can then request through your unit to be sent to the 31K school in San Antonio. It's like a special addition identifier. There are a lot of 31B on AD right now that also want to be handlers. It takes a special person to be a handler. Usually most get it through re-enlistment.

Sit and wait for the job. The army needs you, you don’t need it. I waited a long time to get in, have a high enough asvab and they’ll make it available. There is always a way. Just be patient and don’t settle for anything less.

If its what you REALLY want to do, don't settle for something else with the "hope" that you'll be able to reclass later on. The Army isn't going anywhere, and it's going to be YOUR career, so why not do what you really want to do and not something "just to get in" like so many people do.

Go 31B and be the top PT performer in your OSUT company. They offer K9 spots to those who perform the best.