How To Train A Police Dog (Step By Step)

Step By Step On How To Train A Police Dog.

It's no doubt that this — the police dog as well as its handler — can take its place in the list of the most fascinating aspect of the force — police.

That area of the police force is called the K9 unit. Since the times of the Romans, humans have been making use of the canines for hunting and general security. In the 1970s, the K9 unit started as an important asset for the departments of police across the U.S, and since then, it hasn't been less of that.

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In case you don't know, dogs converted to police dogs are mostly used in the crime scenes, they are also taken for operations — taking down culprits, and the likes. You may already be asking, “how can a dog be converted to a police dog?”

Want to know, right? Let's proceed!

Now, take the CIA as an example — the CIA is a complete team of professionals with distinctive dexterity, they are trained intensively to carry out their duties in order to keep America safe. And YES, that team has dogs as part of the team. The CIA's K9 Corps consist of about 15 officers — could also call them doggy officers.

These doggy officers work hand in hand with the human handlers in order to get rid of explosive and securing people from danger. Most people desire to transform their dogs into a police dog; are you part of them? Have you been looking for the step by step process?

Hello, here are they. Follow it carefully, read in-between the lines, and practice on your dog(s).

How To Train A Police Dog Step By Step

Before we proceed into training a police dog step by step, let's delve into something quite
important. There are two types of dog, which are majorly used by the CIA. These two breeds possess a few of the most important traits of an elite government agent:

• Athleticism
• Intelligence
• Stamina and Health
• Work ethic
• Loyalty

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Also, know that K9 Corps puppies begin life in programs — civilian training programs such as Puppies Behind Bars and Seeing Eye Dog Programs. Immediately they get to a year of age, they are absolutely ready to start their training on how to sniff out explosives.

If a dog must enter the K9 Corp, it's given, or should we say, matched to the handler. The handler, as well as the dog, take part in a 10-week training program — an intensive training program. In this program, they're taught on how to figure out over 9,000 different scents of explosives.

Don't think the training will stop, after the 10 weeks elapses — NO! It doesn't. The training and testing of the K9 Corps dogs is quite a continuous practice so that these dogs remain at the top floor of their game.

Once in a while, if not regularly, K9 and their handlers get involved in several competitions, which are sponsored by the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA). The events hosted by the USPCA display the skills and Athleticism of the dogs, in addition to their relationship with humans — their handlers.

Don't forget this, the dogs, which are the domestic ones, can't be compared to the dogs of the K9 Corps, they are quite different. They have a primary job, and it is: give the men and women of the CIA protection by steadily sniffing out explosives, and they tirelessly work, up to 60 hours in a week.

They spend a huge amount of their time in the field, in abroad and also in the U.S. Wanna know other responsibilities of a CIA dog?

Here they are:

• They educate the whole public about the work they do, and the important work, which the CIA does.

• Working alongside other teams of law enforcement, such as security agencies and police
department, at the times when disaster or crisis.

• Working with the enforcement of law — law enforcement — on capturing criminals, the search for suspects, the search for materials and many more.

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You know, it's not every time these kinds of dogs would be at duty, therefore if they are not at work, they are no different with just any other dog — the other dog that are companions needing exercise, plenty love, and veterinary care.

Yes, this kind of dogs are on duty 24/7, but that doesn't mean that they don't have time to play, rest and be that dog that they are. They spend their life with the handlers, who take good care of them like a family pet, those times they are not functioning professionally.

These K9 Corps members will eventually retire, most times after they retire they stay with their handlers as a pet, or they get adopted by some family capable of giving them attention, and a pleasant retirement which they undoubtedly deserve.

Finally, we've gotten to that point, the point of giving you the hints on how to train a police dog step by step, hope you are ready? Yes, we can actually feel your readiness. You should know that not every dog is fit or ready for life as a CIA agent, but that doesn't limit them to learning from the examples of those dogs of the K9 Corps.

As for those of you who have humble kind of aspirations for your dogs, the training program of the CIA gives trusted tips to assist any dog owner to train his dog. Is there any difference with training a dog to sniff potato chips and sniff explosives? We don't think there's a difference.

CIA's 10 Most Essential Tips For Training Your Dog.
1. Make It Fun
Don't conduct the training without adding fun to it, training should be a time to remember with you and that dog of yours. And, when you are playing with your dog, it helps him perform the behaviors as it suits you because he — the dog — knows that, there's a reward or rewards that await him.

While it's good to teach your dog behaviors, don't fail to let your dog make decisions on
his own, in order to learn, do a behavior of his desire — this way, they learn more. Just try it.
2. Make Use Of What Motivates The Dog.
Note that, the rewards to motivate the dog to do more, doesn't have to be just the treats you can give — go for something new for a change, you can make use of play time, favorite toy, or maybe pets to heighten the urgency of your dog to succeed.

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3. A Little Change Is A Big Moment.
Sometimes, sit and watch your dog, watch how he responds to commands, you are likely to see new reactions. When you notice such, try to reward them directly.

4. Work Hard, Play Hard.
No one denies the fact that training can be cumbersome work, but the CIA digs has the knowledge of having themselves relaxed in order to be prepared for work. Do well to have time for breaks, it's mandatory.

5. Watch For Patterns.
Watch attentively for patterns, and once you see them, don't hesitate to take time to disrupt them.

If you have the habit of commanding your dog to sit, whenever he wants to eat, try instructing him to attempt the addition of one or two of other commands. Do you want to avoid ruts, for both of you, in the routine of your training? Mix things up.

6. Introduce Challenges.
When you notice that your dog has begun to gain skills and focus, it's essential that you take the level of difficulty to another higher level.

For instance, when you see that your dog has performed the “down” command, mix it up with the distractions happening close by, and ask him to remain at the position for a longer time.

7. Consistency Is Key every day.
At a specific time, on a daily basis, K9 Corps members undergo training, and they get to hear and perform the same type of command repeatedly.

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It's not compulsory that you put your dog on a military schedule, the strict type of military schedule, all you have to do is to be consistent in the commands, which you are already teaching your dog to master.

You don't only have to be consistent in the commands, also be consistent in the training time and rewards.

8. Take Breaks.
You and your dog are likely to get tired while in the midst of the training process, that's why it's important that you, at some point, take a break. No one can doubt the fact that training is hard work. Don't forget to go easy on the dog, and also the training process — this is for you and your dog.

9. Utilize Your Dog's Natural Energy Level.
You use your common sense for this one: some dogs are naturally material for the CIA, while others are perfect for a bunch of R&R. Study your dog to the extent that you are aware of his energy level, because whatever be the energy level and drive of your dog, make sure you do well to match your training to their needs.

10. Always End On A Positive Note.
Don't let the first rule get off your memory: the training should be a thing of fun. Whenever you end each session on a positive note, you happily look forward to the next session — your dog also.

More training for police dogs?

1. Drug-Scent Training.
This one is very important training for a dog, the ability to scent drugs which are close by. It doesn't matter where the drug is, whether in a vehicle, on a person, in a building or anywhere, a trained dog can locate the drugs.

After locating it, they also have the ability to alert their handlers about it. To start the training, engage the dog in a play with a towel that is clean (make sure no
the scent is on the towel).

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As you move on with the training, a bag containing marijuana is rolled upright inside that clean towel and given to the dog to use and play. As you continue, the dog will begin to master, recognize the scent of the marijuana available, he would recognize it just like he
recognizes the smell of his favorite toy. Reward the dog with a fun game of tug.

2. Convict Tracking.
Yeah! Some kind of police dogs are trained specifically to track people's scent by picking up the smell of people on the ground. This one is a very useful practice for the dog in order for it to track criminals or in order to locate people who are missing.

Want to make the dog master this? Just place your dog's favorite treat, or place your dog's favorite small toy in your hand. Now, using both of your hands, with your hands close, and stretched out in front of you, ask your dog this question: “which one?” Your dog may attempt either of these — bump his nose or scratch at your hand — with intentions to show his response.

If he ends up getting it wrong, show him the right hand, but still, close your hand, don't give him — your dog — the food. Do it on and on and on until he gets it right. When he gets it right, reward him by praising him in a verbal manner. In case you don't know, dogs cherish to hear, “they have pleased us”

3. Aggressive & Passive Alerting Techniques.
In training police dogs, there are two types of technique to follow. As said earlier, K-9s are trained to master digging and scratching at an object, when the presence of drugs is detected.

This one is tagged “aggressive” Alerting. How about the times, when persons or luggage is involved, how do you tackle it? Many people don't find it funny to be pawed by a dog or have a dog scratch their luggage.

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This is where you employ the practice of passive Alerting.
Some dogs found in airports are trained to sit after sniffing drugs in somebody's luggage. This gives the officer a sign that there are drugs around, so the officer thoroughly searches the luggage of that particular individual.

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