K-9 Demo - Page 1

Last night a friend (another trainer in town) and I went to the police K-9 demos.There were some K-9 officers from all over the state including our town. I knew that the dogs from here aren't that great but I was hoping to see some good ones from Phoenix. Well it was a let down. The dogs had horrible obedience and there was no control over them.The handling lacked too.It showed in the search and bite work as well. I guess it looked good to the people that don't know any better but it was truly sad to watch. Maybe I have been spoiled by working at a place that expects more from the dog and really trains them properly. They sent 3 dogs on a guy in a body suit.I was expecting the guy to do a face plant in the dirt.He barely moved when the dogs hit him. Then the one officer couldn't get his dog off the guy. The guy that was announcing the officers said that they spend $4500 on dogs(greed dogs) and get them from Europe cause they are the best and no breeder in the US has the temperament they are looking for .( for spending that much money...I expect the dogs to be better,nerve wise as well) I talked to one of the Phoenix officers after and man he was a jackass!! Guess his dog is an extention of his .......            I asked him where his dog is from(it was a black GSD kinda seemed a bit nervous around the people as did the others) and he said he was a Czech dog.(That wasn't what I was asking) I asked him who the breeder was.He said somewhere in IN. I asked why don't they get them from a breeder in AZ as there are quite a few that have some good dogs. He said none of them have the temperament that they are looking for. Really? WOW!! I know a few that have great dogs that would do just fine as a police K-9. It is sad that they don't educate themselves on the dogs and breeders out here that DO have good dogs. I guess that is why the dogs that the police dept that would get the trained dogs from where I worked were better.(and less $$) They got dogs from local breeders that  have good dogs with the right temperament to do the job.They knew what they were looking for. Also they are trained professionally by trainers...not the K-9 officers. Maybe there are the few K-9 officers that know how to train a dog...but for the most part...the majority don't and it shows. Glad i didn't have to pay to see the demo.

I went to a couple demo's some time back from police depts. I havent been back. I was amazed and still am that companies buy imported dogs (big $$$), have them trained, and place them with guys who have little to no experience so little in fact that they have to go to school just to give commands and handle the dog (met more than a few of those). I just dont get that. I also dont get that some of the dogs Ive met could not really even be around the public. They were muzzled and it was advised to keep my distance. I got that the dog didnt need to be friendly or petable but some were down right scary.

I received the same response, the dogs were imported because breeding stock from the US was substandard. Thats too bad I thought if the dept paid less for each dog, then they could actually afford more dogs in the field.
Some of the depts Ive spoken to have advised me that the handlers had little experience but that was few and far between

LAVK-9,

It does not supprise me at all that most police k-9 officers are not good handlers (speaking in general terms.  Most people who have protection dog and sport people have difficulty learning how to be a truely good handler.  Think about the fact that everyone with their first sport dog messes the dog up.  I have had several protection dogs in the past.  However I did not know how much improvement I needed untill I got into the sport aspect of training.  If I did a demo I would look like a giant to common folks.  I am still learning about handling, I mean it definately not the dog it's me.  While I trialing for PSA she gave me the middle finger the whole time.   Bite work was great but her OB sucked. 

Here is the question I pose to you.  If the supervisor dose not know good training my guess the only safe check is when they go to certify.  How would they go about finding a good handler?  My guess is if they recruit within they are going to get green handlers and then you have to deal with the learning curve.  They would almost have to get a schutzund person or sport person who was interested in law enforcement to work on the k9 unit.

Well the supervisor IS the trainer. He has been doing this for years and all of them that are in the group take turns taking bites from the dogs.That is another thing that isn't the best either.I have seen decoys/helpers that are much better whether being sport of PP.The guys that are in the K-9 unit have been in it and have had dogs and in my opinion should have better control on their dogs.They don't like dogs that have been in "sport" although the one said he got some Dutchie that was imported and was in KNPV. I'm sure the dog could be much better if handled by someone that had better training from a professional and if the dogs were trained by a professional. It's one thing to be new to it all but to be doing this for as many years as they have....I expect better. Even just watching them hang out with their dogs in the parking lot you could see the dogs were nervous(tails tucked, ears back and nervously jumping on the handler)  and the officers had no control over them.

Chicago police dogs are also agitated by police officers.

No Surprises there about the mentality on imported dogs or the egos. That is exactly what I'm up against but I know people in "high places" so to speak, so it's a tad easier to put dogs in with PDs. We have enough out there that the dogs are already speaking for themselves. I got a lucky break from a great guy who gave a young girl and her dogs a shot.

Melissa

Vom Brunhaus There was maybe only one that had a Czech dog.They apperantly didn't do good training or get a good dog cause it was very unsettled being around all the people.Didn't seem to have much drive either. The rest of the dogs were Mals or Dutchies.
IMO they should research the dogs,bloodlines,and temperament that comes from them to use ONE breeder that they can contract to get dogs from.That way they know what they are getting.Also to have them trained by professional trainers that can really put the time into the training phases.

What a shame it was such a disppointment :-(
Stacy

My agency is in the market for my next K9 partner, as my current dog is about to retire. I'm looking for a green dual purpose candidate, and would like to know where the kennel is that you speak of that produces such nice Police K9s?

We've bought from Von Liche in the past, but I'd like to get the best dog I can.

Thanks