Canine units can be a valuable addition to a police department. They can aid in tracking criminals, detecting explosives and anti-terrorism activities. Proper handling and training are critical for the dog to perform well during stressful situations. The dog may need to be aggressive, but also need to exercise restraint in delicate situations such as domestic disputes.
Developing Rapport
A key to success is the handler's ability to develop a bond with the dog to ensure that the dog can work as part of a team. This is critical, because the lives of the dog and police officer can depend on how well they perform together in a potentially dangerous situation. Successful training requires patience and persistence from the dog handler, and rewarding the dog at the appropriate time.
Repetition and Consistency
To reinforce the desired behavior in the dog, repeat commands so the animal knows what is expected and does not become confused. This is also important because the dog will likely be asked to perform the same tasks over and over when working in the field, such as detecting illegal narcotics or locating a fugitive or missing person.
Discipline and Praise
While it is important to be strict when training a police dog, the animal needs to feel it is being rewarded for a job well done. Whenever the dog performs a task successfully, the trainer should look directly into the dog's eyes and issue a verbal compliment and/or touch it in a positive manner.
Training Sessions
If the dog comes to associate training with drudgery, it will be more difficult to train properly. By taking no more than 15 minutes at a time to teach the dog a specific task, you will have a better chance of maintaining the dog's attention. It also helps to focus on only one task per session to prevent the dog from becoming confused.
Developing Skills
The skills necessary to become a police dog handler can be developed through special training programs that last up to eight weeks. In addition to learning train the dogs, coursework can include select a strong candidate for a training dog and develop canine training and handling policies and procedures for police departments.
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