Fostering And Adopting Police Dogs
You may be able to foster a police puppy/dog for up to a year, on a short term basis to provide a temporary home, or as a long-term foster home for breeding females , or you may adopt a dog that has been withdrawn from the programme.
All puppies go into foster homes at eight weeks old. Police monitor their progress and may withdraw a puppy from the programme at any time for physical or behavioural reasons, but the typical foster period is 7-12 months. Breeding females stay in a foster home much longer, around five-six years. There are times when police need to foster dogs for a short term from 1 -4 months.
Potential puppy foster parents go through a formal application process including a police check. Other requirements include:
- a securely fenced area to contain the dog on your property
- ability to provide the appropriate level of supervision and care for the puppy/dog.
An alternative to fostering a puppy is to permanently adopt a puppy or young dog that did not complete the police training programme. These dogs may be sold for a fee.
Dogs from the breeding programme must be spayed or neutered at the new owner’s expense before they can be rehomed.
Police dogs retire at around eight years old and usually stay with handlers or other police staff.
To find out about fostering a puppy or adopting a dog please contact the dog section through your local police station.
Searching For Flammable Liquids
Dogs used in fire investigations are able to find remnants of flammable liquids at fire locations. This speeds up finding the right sampling places and the investigation itself. Dogs may also search for the container used for transporting the liquid or alert if they find traces of flammable liquids on clothing or footwear.
What Happens When A Dog Or Its Handler Retires
Police dogs usually retire between the ages of eight and ten. They then become the handlersâ family pet. If a handler retires, the dog might retire with the officer. Depending on the dogâs age and health, it may also be re-trained to work with another partner.
Retired police dogs may also be adopted, but this process is more difficult than the regular dog adoption process. The police station or adoption agency will have a long list of requirements to make sure that the dogâs needs are met. Some agencies will not place retired police dogs in a home with other small animals. Because police dogs usually live with their owners, you may have to get on a waiting list to adopt a police dog. It may be easier to adopt a military working dog or government contract working dog.
Recommended Reading: How Much Is A Police Background Check
History Of Police Canines Around The World
Dogs have been used by law enforcement agencies for over 100 years. The English used bloodhounds while searching for Jack the Ripper in 1888, and during that time they allowed canines to accompany bobbies on patrol. In 1899, in Ghent, Belgium, police started formally training dogs for police work. This enhanced the popularity of using dogs for police work. By 1910, Germany had police dogs in over 600 of their largest cities. In 1938, South London introduced two specially trained Labrador Retrievers to the Metropolitan Police Force to accompany bobbies on patrol.
In the 1970s the use of dogs in law enforcement took a foothold in the United States. Now they are considered a part of the police force, and in many departments they even have their own badges. From the hundreds of dog breeds, there are some that are widely known for their presence in law enforcement. The most widely trained dog for regular patrol work is the German Shepherd. Other exemplary breeds include–but are not limited to–the Labrador Retriever, Belgian Malinois, and the Dutch Shepherd. Certain breeds have been used for special purposes, such as detecting illegal drugs or explosives, and tracking fugitives or missing persons.
What Does It Take To Be A Dog Handler
If a police officer decides to become a dog handler they’ve got to complete an assessment process at the Police Dog Training Unit, before they are considered suitable to be a dog handler. The officer will then go on to complete a 13-week general purpose dog training course, and because of the close working relationships between our officers and dogs, we always try to find a dog that is suitable for the handler. On starting the course, the handler will be introduced to their dog for the first time, but they quickly build up a bond. The course is really intense, both physically and mentally challenging, but at the end of the 13 weeks the dog and the handler know each other pretty well and that original bond is even stronger. You need to be a quick learner to be a dog handler you’ve got to learn how the dog thinks and what drives his behaviour fairly fast.Once the initial training has been completed both the dog and the handler are assessed again and then given the go-ahead to become fully operational. That’s not the end though they continue to train and are assessed every year.
You May Like: How To Obtain A Police Report In Massachusetts
Do Vets Recommend Shock Collars
And further, even when it is uncomfortable, people use TENS to reduce pain. Shock collars are used to change a dogs behaviour by causing pain or discomfort. You dont see a vet recommending you place a shock collar on an arthritic dog because they are not used on dogs to reduce pain and suffering.
Reasons Why German Dog Commands Are Helpful For Police Officers
There are several reasons for why the German dog commands are used in police dog training here are some of those:
Uncommon Language: Most countries do not use the German language that well other than Germany. This is a massive plus for those countries. Criminals can sometimes influence the dog however, if the dog is trained with German commands, it can be challenging for them to do so.
There are several cases in which criminals have easily stopped many English thought police dogs.
Uniqueness: Many cops like the essence of the German phrases. Because of this, many of them stick to the German dog commands.
Recommended Reading: Where Is The Police Academy
Everything You Wanted To Know About Police Dogs
Police dogs do a lot in a day. They can track down criminals, find narcotics hidden by even the cleverest of criminals, search buildings, rescue individuals from dangerous situations and more and theyre used in most major city police departments today. There are thousands of police dogs in service, and hundreds that have made the ultimate sacrifice all in a days work. But how does a dog become a member of the force, and what dogs make for good police dogs? Here youll find everything you wanted to know about police dogs, including why theyre not only used, but so highly relied upon.
Police Dogs Around The World
Its safe to say countries all over the world believe in the K-9 system and that dogs can help law enforcement tremendously. Here are just some examples of how countries use their dogs.
Further reading:
Don’t Miss: How Long Does It Take To Complete Police Academy
American Pit Bull Terrier
The American Pit Bull Terrier is the newest kid on the block among police dog breeds, as various law enforcement departments have only recently started to use this dog breed for police work .
The majority of Pit Bulls used as K-9 units are rescues, which saves on costly fees from breeders as some K-9 officer dogs can cost up to $20,000.
Due to their dogfighting history, they were rarely employed for K-9 units before however, this has been changing as law enforcement realized their great potential.
More police departments are taking Pit Bulls in today.
Confident, fearless, athletic, fast, and sturdy, the Pit Bull is primarily used for detection and patrolling nowadays.
There are claims that the military is looking into also using this dog breed in the future.
New York Police Department are also scouring animal shelters to adopt Pit Bulls, like this one employed recently.
Dog Obedience Tests Related To Guarding And Security Steward Assignments
The Police Dog Training Centre also organises obedience inspections for dogs operating in the private security sector. According to the law, dogs used in guarding and security steward assignments are required to be tested for obedience.
The obedience test for dogs trained for guarding and security steward assignments consists of three parts:
- accessibility
- manageability
- defending the handler.
When you participate in the test as the dogs handler, you must have a valid guard or security steward licence.
Recommended Reading: What Does A Police Background Check Consist Of
Police Dog Breeds That Are Commonly Used By Law Enforcement
May 20, 2020 by Molly Weinfurter
Oftentimes, we see the same police dog breeds working alongside law enforcement. These dogs are usually brave, strong, and very intelligent. They need to have what it takes to assist police officers for important tasks, so not just any dog can do it. Therefore, there are certain breeds that are continuously trained for these roles. Even though many of these dogs look strong and intimidating, they can actually make great companion dogs too. It all depends on what theyre trained to do.
Is There A Reason You See More Male Police Dogs Than Female
Whether its sniffing out evidence or chasing down bad guys, working K9s are an important part of police forces all around the globe. These dogs undergo intense training, are made to pass important tests, and go to work everyday alongside their handlers. Youll find several different breeds wearing official police vests, but the best dogs on the force always have specific characteristics in common. To be a successful police dog, they need to be intelligent, focused, and determined. As it turns out, gender might have something to do with it as well. But its probably not what you think.
Global News reports the Ontario Provincial Police have 27 police dogs, but only one of those is female. At the same time, female dogs make up only 15% of the current working dogs in Alberta, Canada. The trend isnt surprising. In Canada and the United States, the majority of dogs working for police are male. Its not something the average person would notice, but the reasoning behind it tells us a lot about how female and male dogs are different.
The one characteristic that seems to be holding female dogs back, is their maternal, protective instinct. Sgt. Chris Browne of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police says female dogs typically want to stay close to their handlers. Theyre more reluctant than their male counterparts to go out on their own to apprehend a suspect or search for evidence. Theyre also generally less aggressive. He told Global News,
Don’t Miss: Can I Become A Police Officer Without College
Are Police Dogs Trained To Be Aggressive
Bite sleeve training teaches police dogs to attack people who threaten the dogâs partner. During this type of training, an aggressor will wear a bite sleeve and act in a threatening manner toward the handler. When the handler gives a command, the calm dog will bark viciously and attack the sleeve. Dogs in the K9 unit are also trained to read their partnersâ body language. If the officer is relaxed, the dog will most likely be relaxed. But if the handler shows signs of fear or tension, the dog will react by intimidating the source of the threat.
Itâs worth noting that police dogs are trained not to engage in active aggression unless they are given a command. Attack commands are usually given in German. This is partly tradition and partly to ensure that the dog only responds to the handlerâs orders. Although police dogs can be aggressive on demand, they usually make great pets. These loyal, obedient and intelligent animals can become great additions to any family.
Best Gear For Dog Health
Let’s face the facts, police and working dogs live very different lives from a typical dog. No matter the job, they are always on the watch and ready to take action at a moment’s notice. All of this can put a strain on a dog’s body, increasing the risk of arthritis and other joint problems at an earlier age.
Natural Doggie Advanced Mobility Chews relieve joint pain, increase flexibility, reduce inflammation, and overall increase the strength of a dog’s joints, no matter their age. Made in the USA, these chews are certain to go a long way in improving the life of your working dog.
MSRP $39.99DEAL! $35.99
Want to try it? Enter Code POLICEDOGGEAR at Checkout for 10% Off
“Mobility chews are just that. My GSD is more mobile than he has been in a long time.” – Jadon L.
Our next choice for gear for your police or working dog’s health is Natural Doggie Organic Coconut Oil. Many breeds of police and working dogs are prone to skin allergies, especially German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois. Both of these breeds have higher sensitivity to skin allergens, and often suffer from dry skin and coat.
MSRP $14.99DEAL! $13.49
Want to try it? Enter Code POLICEDOGGEAR at Checkout for 10% Off
Don’t Miss: What Do You Do To Become A Police Officer
Story Behind German Shepherd As A Police Dog
The first data on the existence of the German Shepherd as a breed dates back to 1899. At that time, a captain of the German army noticed this type of dog and considered it very valuable for herding, so he dedicated himself to the breeding of these animals. He bet on highlighting their intelligence, their loyalty and dedication to work and fell in love with the breed completely.
Little by little, these furry ones were also the best allies to defend the house and from there they began to resort to them for the protection of small villages and communities. Over time, they have become part of the police, the army and other specialized bodies, such as the fire department.
They are very obedient, so they can be trained with some ease. This allows dog trainers specialized in German Shepherd as a police dog to enhance those qualities and characteristics that make them so valuable for these specific and necessary functions. They are highly respected dogs and, as we mentioned earlier, they are very much loved. Seasoned and restless, they are faithful and good companions.
These dogs have a courageous and faithful character, obedient and good.
How Long Does It Take To Train A Police Dog
The training process of a police dog can take anywhere from just a few weeks to several years.
The amount of time depends on the breed and the experience, as well as the goals set for the individual dog and handler team.
A few weeks may be needed to train an aggressive dog, whereas a team seeking assistance with narcotics detection might opt for more extended training periods.
Once the decision has been made about what type of actions will be required from this particular working model, then there are other important factors to consider.
These include equipment , compatibility with dogs of different breeds and levels, availability in terms of timing and location, temperament , resources , etc
Don’t Miss: Can I Be A Police Officer Without College
How Can We Ensure Safety Of The K9s
When police K-9s are released to apprehend suspects, they are often in immediate danger. The bad guys are frequently armed with deadly weapons and arent afraid to use them. A K9 is frequently sent off-leash ahead of his human partner, leaving the dog to fend for himself until the officer catches up. The only way to protect a police dog in these scenarios is with a state-of-the-art ballistic and stab-proof vest.
Unfortunately, many police departments dont have the funds to provide their K9s with vests, which range in price from $1,000-$3,000. Thats where Bradys K9 Fund comes in. While our organization has provided vests to 376 K9 officers, there are many K-9s who remain unprotected. Providing ballistic vests to wanting police dogs is made possible with your generous contributions. Bradys K-9 Fund is a non-profit 501 organization, meaning all contributions are tax deductible.
If you would like to make a difference in a police K-9s life, please go to our donations page or click on the button below. Were thankful for every contribution that is made.
All About Police Dogs
Police dogs are specially trained to be part of the force. Theyâre referred to as K9s, a shortened version of the term âcanine.â Police dogs may sniff out criminals, drugs, bombs or other items, and different dog breeds may serve different purposes on the police force. For example, Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers are often used for protection, and retrievers, hounds, collies, schnauzers and beagles are frequently assigned to search and rescue or drug detection missions. Moreover, Tarheel Canine Training explains that there are single and dual-purpose service dogs. Single-purpose dogs primarily track scents and provide protection. Dual-purpose dogs serve those functions and also detect narcotics or explosives.
PetPlace is committed to teaching pet owners around the world about how incredible their animal companions are. Today weâll be filling you in on everything you need to know about police dogs.
Also Check: Can I Get A Police Report Emailed To Me