What Functions Do Police Dogs Serve
Early police dogs served basic functions: They would accompany officers on foot patrol at nights, both to defend police and pursue or attack suspects in flight. Today, some police dogs may take oaths and become officers upon graduation from training academies, and others have their own badges.
Just as human police departments grew and law enforcement jobs began to encompass all parts of what we now consider modern police work investigation, detection, pursuit, and forensics among them police dogs became increasingly specialized. Depending on the size and resources of a given department or sub-unit, police dogs may serve either a combination of functions or be specially trained to accomplish a focused set of tasks.
The duties of police dogs in modern K9 units include crowd control, search and rescue operations, and tracking and pursuit of suspects and missing persons. Some police dogs are trained in the detection of illegal substances that range from narcotics to explosives to poisons.
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Breeds And Personalities That Are Preferred
There are two dog breeds that are most commonly used as K9 Unit service dogs. These breeds include the German Shepherd and the Belgian Malinois.
However, other dog breeds such as the Labrador retriever, giant schnauzers, and other shepherds are also used in the program.
Typically, the canines used in the Police Force are labeled as working dogs or hunting dogs.
These dog breeds are specifically bred for hard work, sniffing out a target, intimidation tactics, trainability, loyalty, and intelligence.
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Popular Dogs For Police Work And How Theyre Trained
Itâs no secret that German Shepherds have been the most popular police dog for many decades , and they deserve this title for a good reason.
But many other potential police dog breeds are now also trained to be a part of K-9 units in different countries, but the breed range is especially expanding in the west.
Thereâs no single path for a dog to become a police K9 unit.
Some dogs are raised from puppies to become police dogs, and others are taken from and re-trained from service dogs.
Sometimes police officers in the U.S. even bring dogs from other countries, particularly Germany and Netherlands, and continue training these bilingual dogs for police work here in the United States.
Thereâs no official entry barrier, and different approaches are taken to bring in new police dog breeds and train them for different tasks.
But this matter is taken seriously by law enforcement â after the full police work training, the dog will then even have to take the oath the same way as a human police officer would.
The handler will affirm on the dogâs behalf and have the dog bark in affirmation of the oath.
Retirement for police dogs varies around the world. Most dogs retire if they get seriously injured and will not heal fully. They also commonly retire when they reach old age or if they get too sick to work.
It is also common for pregnant or nursing dogs to retire or take a leave of absence.
Working dogs have been protecting and serving us for many years.
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What Are The Qualifications/requirements For Police Dog Trainers
The exact qualifications and requirements needed to be a police dog trainer will vary on a state-by-state basis. However, in most cases, you will have to go through a training course and obtain so many hours of coursework. In general, these courses usually last between 12 and 16 weeks. They may be offered through colleges, career centers, or independent dog training schools and academies, and they all require payment.
In addition to specialized training, becoming a police dog trainer usually requires a certain amount of experience working with animals. In most cases, the minimum requirement is 3 years, but this doesnt have to be paid, professional dog training. Some states may accept volunteer hours as experience, so dont think that you cant be a police dog trainer if you have no prior paid experience with training animals.
Other requirements for police dog trainers may also depend on whether or not you are working for a police department or a private contractor. Usually, you have to be of a certain age. But when working for a police department, every employee has to undergo a background check and have no criminal record.
Remember that these are just general requirements. If this is a career that you might be interested in, it is important to do your research beforehand. Find out the particular requirements for your state, as well as the general job availability and the types of training courses that are offered in your state.
How Do Police Dogs Know Who To Chase And Attack
Police dog training takes a lot of time and hard work, and it continues daily even after a K9 team has been fully certified and deployed. Only then will the handler be confident that the police dog knows who to chase.
This type of specialized training needs to be refreshed before and after every workday and it continues until the K9 duo retires.
When its time to apprehend a suspect on the field, police dogs are fully under their handlers control.
The dog knows to wait for the appropriate command before attacking the right person or showing aggression. He also knows that he needs to remain calm and submissive towards people the rest of the time.
The K9 handler is the one in control of the situation and is the one who decides if the police dog has to be unleashed. The handler makes sure that the dog is fully zoned in on the right person to chase, bite, and attack before the dog is released its generally easy to tell who a dog is focusing on through body language.
Police dogs have trained with distractions all around and are thoroughly socialized with people of all ages. They know to go after a person attacking a police officer, and they know to stay away from bystanders that are just acting normally.
The K9 handler knows they have to be completely clear on who their dog needs to track and chase after before releasing and to make sure that the dog is completely focused on the suspect.
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At What Age Can Dogs Begin Police Dog Training
As anyone whos successfully trained a dog knows, training begins the day that you bring your pup home, which is typically around 8 weeks old. For police work, dogs usually begin the first step of training as young as possible, which is also around 8-10 weeks old, depending on the breed. When a litter of potential puppies is born, they are evaluated and closely monitored to check if they have any special, desirable characteristics that make them stand out from the pack.
These puppies are closely watched for how they eat, their intensity during play, and their temperaments. This evaluation can determine which puppies may have the highest chance of completing training. They are exposed to various sounds, challenges, and situations, and how they react to these is also closely monitored by trainers. This is to help desensitize the pups and prevent them from becoming skittish to new sights and sounds. As is the case with any dog, they are taught basic commands first, such as sit and stay, and only then move on to more complex training techniques.
Punishment In Dog Training Creates Conflict
For many dogs, especially those who are deliberately selected for their high-drive personalities and strong physical and emotional make-up, these techniques routinely create a conflict between dog and handler that results in a bite.
For White, the bite came after working with Astro, his first canine partner. The dog was willing to acquiesce to sit and perform heelwork, but was all too ready to fight back when White attempted to force him into a down. In an intense battle of wills, White sustained a bite that sidelined his training for two weeks. He returned to work a different dog and went on to finish the program as a Distinguished Honor Graduate.
was common enough that they taught you how to deal with it, says White. They taught you how to protect yourself . . . to string up a dog. If the dog came at you, you lifted up on the leash and kept the pointy end away from you until the dog stopped fighting. It wasnt an act of training it was an act of self-defense until the dog could no longer offer an offense.
One of the dangers of punishment, aside from the potential for physical harm and its ability to erode the dog-handler relationship, is the tendency for the handler to escalate out of frustration or a misguided desire for revenge.
Another media report recounted how, in June 2006, a frustrated Miami-Dade Police Sergeant, Allen Cockfield, delivered a lethal kick to his canine partner, Duke, in an ill-fated training session.
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What Is The Projected Growth For This Job Opportunity
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a 5 percent anticipated growth for police dog trainers between 2014 and 2024. On average, the BLS reported the average salary for a law enforcement dog trainer is $58,320.
Keep in mind that canines will likely always be used to help out law enforcement officers, meaning there will always be a need for police dog trainers.
Off Leash K9 Training Of London
Off Leash K9 Training London is a world recognised dog training company specialising in private 1-2-1 lessons, residential training and behavioural consultations.
Our goal is simple: to create an unbreakable bond between you and your canine. We have locations throughout the world and UK, including right here in London. Our customised and proven training methods are known worldwide, with our founder being recognised as one of the Top 10 Dog Trainers in the World.
Training takes place in your area, with all the normal everyday outside distractions you and your dog encounter. OLK9 London provides an off leash lifestyle for you and your dog with more freedom to enjoy life. Our goal is for every dog to know what its like to have the freedom of being a dog. We want every owner to experience the confidence, joy and pride of having a dog that is reliable and consistently well behaved under any level of distraction.
We guarantee a more obedient pup with the ability to be off leash and distraction-proofed at the end of specific programmes. Your dog will be trained to have the same level of obedience as most police/military working dogs.
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Using Treats Is Effective For Dog Training
Dogs are easily motivated by food. Thats why many trainers use dog treats to reward dogs for performing commands. Small dog treats allow for several repetitions before the dog becomes disinterested. More often than not, youll be the one cutting them off.
To avoid creating a bribe instead of a reward, keep the treat hidden. This way, the dog wont expect the treat until they perform the command.
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Youll also want to be careful about what treats you use. Many dog treats have high calories or can disrupt your dogs digestion if they get too many while training. Its important to choose training treats that are small and fragrant to motivate your dog.
Do Police Dogs Get Paid
Police dogs do not receive pay in the same way that police officers are paid. In general, their expenses are covered, such as food and shelter. This may be from the police department or garnered through donations to the department. Their medical expenses are also generally covered, although donations may be collected for major surgeries or procedures.
In some areas, retired police dogs garner a type of retirement. It may not be much, but its design is to help the handler, who the retired dog usually lives with, care for the police dog.
K-9 police dogs are an integral part of the law enforcement program. They can go places that human officers may not be able to reach and detect things such as explosives and drugs that arent readily apparent on physical inspection of an area. These dogs go through a rigorous training process to make them highly skilled police officers, often learning commands in languages such as German or Dutch rather than English.
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K9 Positive Training: Overview
1. Do your best to eliminate compulsion from your training. Look for every opportunity to reinforce your dog for increasingly better efforts.
2. Support your local police canine foundation theyre often a source of funding for police K9 units.
Stephanie Colman is a writer and dog trainer in Los Angeles. She shares her life with two dogs and actively competes in obedience and agility.
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Tips For Training Your German Shepherd Dog Or Puppy
Follow these German Shepherd training tips for a healthy, happy, well-rounded puppy.
Training your German Shepherd puppy involves teaching them how to be successful in your world and life.
This means they need to understand what you expect of them and how you communicate your expectations.
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The Train All Levels Method
Most Recommended
Start at home
Itâs easy to start some training at home by getting your dog to focus on the task at hand, whether it is learning to go potty or learning to wait politely when you put his meal in front of him. Doing so will give your pup confidence and security. Positively reinforce any training with a high-value treat to give your dog incentive.
Begin with the basics
All dogs need obedience training and the place to start is with the basics at puppy training class. Your dog will learn how to sit, stay, and heel. He will also start recall skills. All of these are components of a well-behaved dog.
In-class fun
Reward your German Shepherd generously as instructed in the obedience class. This will either be through yummy treats or exuberant high fives. Your dog will focus and be eager to learn when there is a valued reward, whether food or affection.
Social skills
A police dog or volunteer search and rescue hero needs to be well socialized. Calmness and the ability to focus on a job while getting along with both people and other canines is key to success. Not only that, but you will have a well-rounded German Shepherd that you can take anywhere.
Move on up
After you and your pup have graduated from obedience class, keep moving through all of the levels, from basic to advanced and beyond. Enrol your dog in tracking and agility so that he can further his skill-set.
Why Do Police Teach Their Dogs In German Command
Police training their dogs in German command is beneficial for two reasons. First, it limits the issue of language barriers. Second, using German commands allows the dog to re-perform specific behaviors that involve obeying a humans orders as opposed to those of other dogs.
Also, According to K9 Officer Randy Widdicombe, its a myth that non-English commands are meant to ensure no one besides the handler can command the dog toattack or sit. In reality, most police dogs, German shepherd dogs in particular, are purchased overseas and were trained with those command words. Its easier for the officer to learn a few German words than to retrain the dog with new commands.
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Learning To Communicate With The Partner
At this point, the dog has learned to explore the environment, searching for the important odor. But, as a final step, the dog needs to learn how to tell its human partner when the odor is found. To do this, it is best to use a dogs natural behavior. For example, some dogs may naturally sit when they smell the important odor and wait to hear the marker. Some other dogs may stare directly at the location of the odor while waiting. When the trainer starts to see the dogs specific behaviors, he or she can start to use the marker and give the toy only when the dog does the behavior after sniffing the correct place. For the dog, the behavior of sitting or staring when it is near the odor becomes associated with the marker and reward, so the dog will begin to do it more often.
All of these training steps can take a long time. Sometimes, trainers may need to repeat a step, or try a new way of teaching so that a dog can learn. But, because dogs pay close attention to humans and want to work with us, many of them can become good working dogs.
Training Your German Shepherd As A Guard Dog
Every dog breed possesses natural tendencies and skills. These tendencies come with their genetics. German Shepherds are guard dogs by nature, regardless of if theyve been trained or not. If they see something out of line, or peculiar, they will usually bark, altering someone of the situation. For this reason, German Shepherds are often chosen as police dogs since its easier to train them in this way.
Some breeds are overly aggressive and hard to control, while others are meek and mild-tempered. German Shepherds are the perfect mix to train to be a guard dogs.
Still, your German Shepherd will need the correct training to ensure they listen to commands and arent a danger to themselves or others.
There are a few critical pieces of equipment you will want on hand when beginning any training such as a German Shepherd harness, a German Shepherd leash, and some dog treats for rewarding.
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