K9 Puppies Training

K9 puppies become working dogs.

K9 puppy training teaches young dogs to become service animals. The can work in a police unit or private team investigating crimes, go on patrol or participate in accident and disaster recovery. K9s can be trained for several different jobs or specialize in one area. K9 jobs cover two categories: identifying and finding things or people, and protection and deterrence. Basic obedience training is a prerequisite. K9 puppy training is done by the owner or handler under the guidance of a professional trainer. Training can begin at any age. Starting as a puppy provides a head start and allows a deep bond in your team from the beginning.

Narcotics

Narcotics K9s identify and locate illegal drugs. They are used in airports, schools and at suspected crime scenes. Dogs and trainers may be members of a police or federal K9 unit, or private teams whose services are leased by a business. Size and strength are not important for this job, and any breed can be a narcotics K9, though hounds are most known for their ability to track scents.

Explosives

Hounds are selected for sense of smell.

Some K9s are trained to identify and locate explosives and identify arson. Puppies in K9 explosive training learn to single out scents of chemicals used in explosives, and track them back to their source. They usually work with a bomb squad or forensics unit. Any breed can become an explosives expert but hounds have been bred for the most sophisticated sense of smell.

Patrol

Shepherd and guard puppies become patrol officers.

K9 puppy training for patrol relies on alertness and complete obedience. After these are trained, patrol K9s are trained in the use of force where required. While dangerous or lethal force may be required in rare cases, the main role of the patrol K9 is to deter criminal activity by intimidating presence. Dogs selected for patrol work come from large breeds selected for strength and vigilance, such as shepherd and guard breeds. They must be under the complete control and guidance of the handler at all times.

Guard

Guard puppies should be big, someday.

K9 puppy guard training is similar to patrol training. It is usually used to teach your dog to guard a home or private business, rather than for police work. These dogs also may use force against an intruder or threat but their primary role is to deter danger through intimidation. Large shepherd and guard breeds are used for this training. Unlike patrol dogs, guard dogs often work on their own.

Search and Rescue

Many breeds can do search and rescue.

Search and rescue K9 puppy training teaches puppies to recognize and track old and new scents and ignore distractions. It also teaches techniques such as marking the location of victims, digging victims out of debris piles and sometimes basic first aid such as warming unresponsive victims. Search and rescue dogs can be any breed and work for police or federal disaster management units or private businesses and individuals.

Recovery

Any breed can be recovery trained.

Recovery K9 puppy training is similar to search and rescue but human targets are usually deceased. Recovery K9s work with forensic units locating cadavers and evidence. They may be part of an official unit or leased for specific jobs.

Considerations

Your K9 puppy will be your best friend forever.

K9 teams are usually on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Crime and disasters do not follow a schedule. Family support and commitment are essential. Your K9 partner goes home with you and becomes part of your family. K9 dogs often risk their own safety, and sometimes sacrifice their lives in the line of duty.

References

• United States Police Canine Association: Canine Training Articles
• "Animal Training: Successful Animal Management Through Positive Reinforcement"; Ken Ramirez; 1999
• "Don't Shoot the Dog! The New Art of Teaching and Training"; Karen Pryor; 2002

Resources

• Clicker Training
• American Police Canine Association: Canine Training Articles