UK police dogs. - Page 1

Has anyone here ever donated a dog to the UK police? 

Were they happy/satisfied with the procedure/outcome?

What are the good and bad points of life as a police dog in the UK?

i was going to but have heard mixed things about this.

most  only take 12 months plus

and certain areas have a bad reputation for messing up dogs, all i can say is be careful

regards

tracie

www.freewebs.com/incubusgsds

I know several people who have donated dogs to the police and they have all been treated well, and have gone on to live healthy, happy, working lives and those who have been rejected have been appropriately rehomed.  I also have several friends who have sold dogs to the service and those dogs have also done well.

Maybe its a regional thing but down here in the south I wouldnt hesitate to persue this option if I had a dog who I thought was appropriate.

Staffordshire police have never let me down - neither Cheshire.... treat their dogs with respect as far as I have ever seen, I dont donate - I sell them... donations like giving a dog away in any form is not as well received, just my opinion.  See our website www.mascanigsd.co.uk and look at Guest Star of the Month page... where you will see the latest pictures and get a feel for the handlers thoughts on his dog and his achievements.

Nottinghamshire???  well thats another story - we had a lad rejected from them within one week, that has gone on to do the most fantastic personal protection work in more professional hands.  Probably the best we have bred at that type of training, so I guess it does go in areas.  Mo - Mascani

Thank you. 

The dog is a 19mth old male and the force being considered is Avon & Somerset.

www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/units_and_departments/operations/dog_section/dog_donations.aspx

Its good to see that they do pay (appropriate renumeration) for dogs that get into the service.  I have heard before of people only being paid once the dog qualifies.

What I would also ask is what happens should the dog not be appropriate or fail during the training process.

<<What I would also ask is what happens should the dog not be appropriate or fail during the training process.>>

The dog is returned to the owner.

I've placed many dogs with various police forces and it has generally been a positive experience.  Usually, they will only pay once the dog has passed the course and payment is often very slow, I've waited 6 months before now, but if getting paid immediately isn't an issue for you, that is not too important except for the time you end up spending chasing payment!

I have been very happy with the working lives of my police dogs, one was featured on "Send in the Dogs" last week (Zehn with Sgt Palmer of the Transport Police) and I have photos of them and updates.

Downside is some forces have rather antiquated and rigid training methods and dogs that don't fit the method are more likely to be chopped from the course rather than explore other methods of training so the return rate of donated dogs is very high and not always because the dog is no good, I've had dogs returned by one force who have been a great success in another simply because they had a more flexible approach to the training.

I have dealt with Avon and Somerset in the past and they seem fine.  Good luck with your dog, I'm sure he will have a good life there if he makes the grade and if he doesn't, I'm sure he will come back to you just a good as he left.

Margaret N-J

>  As a PSD handler/ trainer I can state that the UK K-9 program is thought of highly throughout the K-9 world. Their dogs are very well trained and looked after!!