Issue link: http://lawandordermag.epubxp.com/i/109778
FEATURE Managing Successful K9 Teams Selecting a K9 Supervisor may be as important to long term success as selecting the right handler. The handler should be a leader, self-motivated, open minded, and patient; a person that makes sound decisions both on and off duty. Proper K9 Selection When it comes to law enforcement, not all dogs are created equal. Police service dogs are frequently asked to perform tasks in environments that are very stressful. We must have dogs that possess strong nerves and drives, dogs that are not overly concerned about their own safety. These traits are genetic and the dog A good trainer will try to is born with them; no one can train meet your needs, this behavior into a dog. guarantee their work, A good training program is necesand be able to provide sary for a team���s success, but good references. training alone is not enough. Your trainer should possess a strong working knowledge of K9 behavior and be able to select high-quality working dogs. Thorough selection tests show a trainer the strengths and weaknesses of the dog in question and if this dog will be a good candidate as a police service dog. Selecting the Right Trainer Like learning a foreign language a dog���s training is perishable, if skills are not practiced regularly they will diminish. 70 LAW and ORDER I February 2013 For agencies that do not have a trainer assigned to your unit, selecting a quality trainer is imperative. A good trainer will try to meet your needs, guarantee their work, and be able to provide references. Do your homework, inquire about the training, and ask how the trainer has addressed any training or other issues that have arisen after the team has left basic K9 training. Meet with prospective trainers and have them perform a demonstration to show you what they have to offer. Trainers who deal in large volumes do not always provide the best quality service. There are large volume vendors / trainers who consistently provide high quality dogs and