Saturday, May 4, 2024

How To Train Your Dog To Be A Police Dog

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Not Every Dog Is Going To Be Able To Learn Every Task

Police Dog: Training your best friend

Between buying carefully selected dogs from Europe and breeding their own at Lackland Air Force Base, the military goes through a lot of dogs. Not every dog makes it as an MWD. They fail out for a variety of reasons, from health issues to behavioral issues. Some dogs just aren’t cut out for the type of work that MWDs do.

We had a dog that didn’t want to bite people.

If your dog just isn’t getting it, it might be the dog.

While you probably aren’t training your dog to bite people, you might find that your dog won’t sit, won’t drop the ball, or won’t stay for longer than a second. Keep in mind that some breeds of dogs are known for their willingness to learn and others are not.

Don’t adopt a working dog breed and keep it inside all day without exercise. That’s how houses get destroyed. Do your research and adopt a dog that is going to fit in with your lifestyle and not a dog that you saw in a movie and you think looks cool.

What Are Their Duties

As a dog trainer, you are directly responsible for choosing the best dogs to become the companions of law enforcement officials, military members, and others who need the safety and security of a protection dog.

As a trainer, your first duty will be to evaluate a dog to determine whether it has the temperament and ability to become a top-class protection dog. Youll need to determine whether a candidate will respond to voice commands and instantly obey in every situation. Rowdy or untrainable dogs will need to be weeded out of your program.

What will you train dogs to do?

Youll teach dogs to respond to verbal commands in English or another language. Youll use positive reinforcement while training. Youll teach dogs to appear threatening while protecting their charges. Dogs will also learn not to attack unless directly commanded.

As a trainer, youll not only work with dogs, but youll need to train the dogs handler in the techniques and commands the dog has learned. Youll help both dog and trainer to work as a team to confidently handle stressful situations theyll face.

On the back end:

You might need to take care of the paperwork, marketing, bookkeeping, billing, and communicating with potential clients.

If you are part of a well-established training company, many of these tasks might be done for you. When running your own company, the paperwork and marketing will fall to you.

How Do Police Train Dogs So Well

Dogs entering the K-9 corps are matched with a handler and go through an intensive 10-week training program, where they learn to identify over 9,000 different explosive scents. In fact, K-9s and their handlers participate in regular competitions sponsored by The United States Police Canine Association .

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What Does The K

As a general rule, officers working in the K-9 department already have several years of experience working as police officers. Since the person needs to be able to interact with the dog, previous experience with handling animals is a plus. Nevertheless, all K-9 officers need to undergo special training in order to know how to best handle their canine partners. The main elements that a police officer needs to learn in order to be a good dog handler are dog obedience, safety, crowd control, tracking as well as how to care for their canine partner. The intensive training process also includes practical exercises for both the handler and the dog such as simulated suspect apprehension scenarios, tactical deployment exercises, bite and protection exercises, etc. The officer also needs to complete a course on canine behavior and first aid techniques.

It is also important for the K-9 officers to be approachable and personable because they usually receive more attention by people. The policeman should be prepared to handle different situations and interactions.

Certification for successful training as a K-9 officer is received from the United States Police Canine Association.

What Method Is Used To Train Police Dogs

Cover Your K
  • What is the worlds best guard dog?
  • We can train them by using commands like sit down, stay, close, come, go, shake hands, etc. The training process will take some time depending on the breed of the dog and the way how they understand our commands. So in training it is must that we should be patient enough to make our dogs the best in obeying our orders.

    Read Also: Can You Join The Police Without A Degree

    Preparing To Train Your Dog To Be A Guard Dog

  • 1Recognize the difference between a guard dog and an attack dog. A guard dog is trained to alert its owner of the presence of a stranger or intruder through barking or growling. Guard dogs are not typically trained to attack on command or to act overly aggressive towards a stranger. Therefore, guard dogs generally do not make very good attack dogs.
  • Attack dogs are often used by police and law enforcement. They are trained to attack on command and respond aggressively to potential threats or intruders.
  • Most attack dogs are well trained and will not act in an aggressive way unless they are commanded to by their owner. Attack dogs that are not well trained, however, can attack without warning and pose a serious danger to humans and other animals.
  • The average owner is unlikely to need an attack dog.
  • 2Determine if your dogs breed is a typical guard dog breed. Though most dogs can be trained to be guard dogs, certain dog breeds are known to make good guard dogs. For example, smaller breeds such as Chow Chows, pugs, and Shar Peis have been known to be good guard dogs. Larger breeds, such as Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherd, and Akita also make excellent guard dogs.XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Kennel ClubThe American Kennel Club is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.Go to source
  • Teaching Your Dog The Quiet Command

  • 1Command your dog to bark. Now that your dog has learned how to bark on cue, the next is to command him to stop barking. In fact, teaching your dog the “bark” command is considered to be a practical first step to teaching him to the “quiet” command.XResearch source Being able to command your dog to bark and stop barking on cue will help him be a good guard dog.
  • As before, reward him with a treat when he responds appropriately to your “bark” command.
  • 2Command your dog to stop barking. Ring your doorbell. When your dog starts barking in response to the ring, put a tasty treat in front of his nose. As soon as your dog stops barking to sniff the treat, say “thank you” or “hush.” Immediately follow your verbal command with a treat.XResearch source
  • Do not yell or use a loud voice when you give your verbal command. Your loud voice may add to your dog feeling alarmed and may encourage him to bark even more.XResearch source
  • Do not use “shut up” or “no” as verbal commands to get your dog to be quiet, since they can have a negative connotation.
  • 4Encourage your dog to bark when a stranger arrives. Encourage your dog to bark if the doorbell rings, even if you know who is at the door. He may not know who is on the other side, so you want to encourage his protective instinct to bark and alert you of something unfamiliar to him. When you get to the door, give him the “quiet” command and immediately reward him with a treat when he stops barking.XResearch source
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    How To Buy Police Dogs

    A police dog is an important part of the layered approach of law enforcement today

    Properly trained and deployed K-9s have a direct impact on reducing crime in the areas where they are deployed.

    Studies have shown that dogs search faster and more accurately than humans. Detection K-9s can locate hidden contraband more quickly and more accurately than hand searching and, as the size of the search area increases, that efficiency becomes even more pronounced. K-9 narcotics and drug money seizures keep contraband off the streets and provide funds for key equipment purchases. No matter how large or small your agency may be, a K-9 unit is an integral part of todays law enforcement package for your community.

    Getting a new K-9 unit started, however, requires a complete understanding of the issues involved and the options available to the purchasing agency.

    Start Basic Training Skills

    K9 Police Dog Training – Bodyguard Dog Training – How to Train Your Dog

    All dogs should have the basics of training and good behavior, but it is doubly important if you plan to bring your dog with you into public areas. These skills include

  • Sit
  • Leave
  • Come
  • If you feel you cannot teach your canine companion the basic obedience skills needed, then enlist the help of a professional trainer. These people have the knowledge to, not only teach your dog, but also teach you how to continue the training outside of the weekly sessions.

    Also Check: What Is The Oldest Age To Become A Police Officer

    Get Your Dog Sar Ready

    If you have a passion for helping others and you think that your dog has the temperament and innate skills to work in search or rescue, then training them up to undertake the work can be a highly rewarding experience.

    Requirements and resources differ locally, so your first step should be to make contact with your local search and rescue team and get them to point you in the first direction in terms of training and certification.

    May of the career change guide dogs from the guide dog school have moved on to become Search and Rescue Dogs. The initial training a guide dog puppy receives gives a solid foundation required for a SAR dog.

    In fact, we had Stetson and Derby tested for Search and Rescue. Neither of them

    So, how about you guys?

    Are you interested in training your dog for Search and Rescue?

    Or maybe you and your dog are already a Search and Rescue team.

    Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below.

    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.

    Recommended Reading: What Degree Is Needed To Be A Police Officer

    Dogs Need To Have Fun

    Recognize that dogs are living, breathing creatures they need to have fun. If the dog only ever sees you for training, you are missing a big part of the relationship.

    Take your dog out and let him run, play with toys, lie in the sun, take a break, and just be a dog. It will make for a happy dog that wants to please you by doing the right thing when training. In a strong dog team, the dog’s desire to please the handler provides as much motivation as the toy or the treat.

    My first dog was not especially affectionate, and I wouldn’t say that he ever loved me in the way that a pet loves its owner. He had handlers before me, and he would have more after me, but we still had a strong bond, which made us an effective team.

    I took him out, let him play, tossed a ball for him, let him lie in the sun, and took him for long walks with no commands. He knew when it was time to work and when it was time to play, and he trusted that if he did what I asked and made me happy, good things would come to him.

    Why You Should Consider Adopting A Former Police Dog

    K9 Training, Tracking &  Record Keeping Software ⢠PACKTRACK

    The process to adopt a retired or failed police dog isnt an easy one, nor is there a guarantee that a dog will be available or youll be successful in your application. If all the moving parts do come together, adopting a dog whose service has ended is a truly impactful way to give a happy ending to dogs who have worked hard to protect and serve the people around them.

    The life of a police dog isnt always easy. Like their handlers, police K-9s frequently face high-stress situations and life-threatening dangers. Adopting a retired police dog is an opportunity to provide a canine a chance to just be a pet in their final years, with all of the love and spoiling that goes along with it.

    Rescuing a pet is a fantastic way to make a difference. If a retired police dog isnt available, look through the TSA Dog Adoption Program, or consider just heading to your local shelter. There are millions of dogs and cats in need of homes, and many would be delighted to find forever with you.

    Read Also: How To Become A Police Officer At 18

    K9 Police Dog Training Difficulties

    Difficulties during training and/or work may occur if the handler didnt have time to train with the police dog, and because of a lack of proper knowledge of working with dogs, may have ruined the dogs training.

    Consequences that may occur from this is that the dog ends up not being able to work well with the police in a certain situation, which can have extremely serious effects. In this case, the police must state the problem to the personal dog trainer, so that the K9 trainer can teach the dog and the K9 handler how to fix any mistakes that could have been made by the handler.

    Determine The Service Dogs Job

    Once you have your puppy you must determine what you will need the dog to do for you in order to guide its training. Once this is established you can begin bonding with your puppy. This helps create a baseline for your dog to recognize when you are in a relaxed state and when you are beginning to experience anxiety dogs are very intuitive so the right dog will pick up on this naturally.

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    What Is The Best Police Dog

    Best Dog Breeds For Police K9 Training

    • German Shepherd. Its no secret that German Shepherds are the number one most popular police working dogs youre probably more likely to see this dog breed than any other when you come across a working K9 unit.
    • Belgian Malinois.

    Training Your German Shepherd As A Guard Dog

    How to Train your German Shepherd like a Police Dog? *2 Most Effective Methods*

    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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    How Police Dog Training Is Special

    You must have wondered how police dogs are trained to be so disciplined, smart, and agile when on the job? The way these dogs are trained is important, when on duty these dogs perform several tasks like search for something, detecting drugs with their strong sense of smell, and protecting officers from criminals.

    But before being promoted to patrol the streets, police dogs have the basic training they need to pass.

    These K9s have been playing an active role in safeguarding the streets and citizens of the US along with the United States police for quite some time now. They are considered as one of the biggest resources available as a part of law enforcement agencies across the country. These dogs are vital to their security, as they save lives and deter crime on a daily basis. A lot of hard work and attention goes into training the police dogs from the time they are puppies until they retire.

    As we just mentioned not all dogs are eligible to become police dogs, seven dog breeds are specifically trained in police agencies to be used as K9s. The police dog breeds are:

    • Belgian Malinois
    • Rottweilers
    • Beagles

    K9 Dog Training: How Police Dogs Are Trained For Duty

    While dogs serve people in a variety of ways around the world, some of the most visible service dogs are police dogs. K9 dogs handle many jobs including protecting the dog owner, sniffing out drugs or bombs and patrolling sensitive areas.Each job requires different skill sets and thus a different type of training.

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    Here Are Some Of My Favorite German Shepherd Supplies

    Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful and useful as you raise and train your German Shepherd.

    Here are some of my favorite reviews for German Shepherd supplies that I personally use and recommend. If you do decide to purchase them, please remember that Ill earn a small commission which helps me maintain this website.

    This post may contain affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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