Inside: Articles from HITS 2015 Instructors: Dealing with Dog on Dog Aggression - Jeff Meyer A Look at Southern Coast K-9 Common Training Mistakes - Jeff Barrett
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Advertising Supplement for HITS 2015
HITS 2015 August 18-21, 2015 Jacksonville, Florida Sponsored by :
Lead Sponsor 2015 HITS
HITS, the Real World of Police Dog Training
Welcome to our first “HITS K-9 advertising supplement”. Inside this issue we will be highlighting training articles from our HITS instructors, posting information about upcoming training courses and spotlighting products from our vendors who join us at our annual HITS seminar. Handler Instruction & Training Seminar (HITS) began 8 years ago and grows bigger each year. Our fundamental success sits squarely upon our years of working K-9 experience. Because we work police dogs, we understand your training needs as if they were our own. Don’t mistake HITS with smaller spin off conferences that use infomercials to fill class space. At HITS we firmly believe in real training for our attendees. Each class is carefully chosen for its value and content and not every trainer or instructor makes the cut. It’s our mission to find new trainers and exciting new classes for HITS each year. In addition to the annual HITS seminar, we offer hands-on advanced training courses that are designed specifically to give handlers personal attention. What we teach in the classroom, we teach in the field. Our past affiliation with Police K-9 Magazine was strictly for advertisement and marketing. Since the sale of the magazine, the new owner has moved forward with his own conference in hopes of capitalizing on the success that HITS has realized for many years. Make no mistake about it, if you don’t see HITS in the title, you won’t be getting the HITS experience. HITS is in no way affiliated with Police K-9 Magazine. HITS will be in Jacksonville, Florida, August 18-21, 2015. HITS is 3 full days of training classes with 6 classrooms running simultaneously. Our promise and commitment to the Law Enforcement K-9 industry is to ensure that HITS remains the best training venue in the world. Nothing else compares to the HITS experience. See the difference for yourself, come to HITS.
Stay Safe, Your HITS Team, Jeff Barrett Ted Daus Jeff Meyer Andy Weiman
Training the Dog Aggressive Dog By Jeff Meyer
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K-9 socialization should eliminate aggression toward other dogs - both service and civilian canines.
A few years ago, a handler from another agen-
cy rode with me to see how our unit worked. On one of our first calls that night, we had to search several floors of a large office building. The only floor-to-floor access at that time of night was the elevator. So four teams plus my rider got into the elevator. All four of our dogs were lying on the elevator floor paying no attention to each other. After the search, my guest commented that there was no way his unit could have put four of its dogs into the same elevator. He explained that his department’s dogs were “too tough� and would fight any dogs that were close
to them. The way he talked, it sounded as though he was proud of the fact that all the dogs in his unit were dog-fighters. I told him my unit does not tolerate dog-fighting behavior, and that we consistently train our dogs to be neutral to other dogs. I jokingly told him, that, in our city, we do not have a problem with dogs stealing cars and robbing stores, so we have no reason to have aggression towards dogs. After talking more with him, I finally made my point that a dog that is aggressive to other dogs is a liability to any K-9 unit. Both patrol and detector dogs should be trained to be neutral to other dogs.
Following are a few examples of the vice dog is off-duty and at home, he numerous problems a dog-fighting should tolerate other animals in the canine can create: house.
This article discusses how to prevent dog-aggression between working dogs, as well as how to prevent working dogs from being distracted by a desire to play with other dogs. Either distracted behavior is unacceptable and should be addressed at the earliest stages of training.
Public perception: You do not want Job performance: A detector dog your dog to attack a citizen’s dog. that is highly distracted by other dogs will not be able to search well Tactical situations: Your dog needs when civilian or police canines are to be on task, not looking for anoth- in the area. er dog to fight or distracting the oth- Aggressive behavior The Selection Process er dogs in your unit. selecting dogs we tend to test will worsen if left unchecked. When only for things like bite work and Large searches: I have talked with hunt. Only recently have I observed Dog-fighters breed other dog-fightpeople in other departments that more emphasis out on other imers. I have seen several dogs that cannot put more than one dog into portant factors such as environmenshow no dog-fighting tendencies each area search because the canines tal confidence. Your selection test become extremely dog-aggressive fight each other. should include many tests that will in certain environments. That’s easy determine if the dog is right for your to understand: a dog needs to be atHighly committed suspects: In program. Including tests to see how tacked by another dog only once or several documented instances, one dog aggressive the candidate is. Oftwice before he learns to ward off fudog was unable to gain pain compliten, dogs that are aggressive toward ture attacks by showing aggression ance over a committed suspect and other dogs also have a tendency to to other dogs. a second dog was needed. In that sitchallenge their handlers. In the iniuation, you obviously need to have tial selection process, I try to avoid When we talk about the socializayour dog on task and not attacking dogs that have those traits. I know tion of a police service dog, our the other dog. that either problem can be trained goal is for the dog to stay on task Domestic life: When a police serout of the dog, but if I can avoid and not be distracted by other dogs.
them from the beginning, I will. At the vendor, I pay careful attention to the dogs looking for signs of dog aggression. My feeling is that the dogs have all been worked at the vendors and they know that more work is coming, in the same way a veteran dog acts differently during K-9 training night. If I observe a dog spending more time fence fighting with the dog next to him than paying attention to me, a stranger in his kennel, I make the assumption that this dog will take some work to be neutral to other dogs. Remember, most vendor-supplied dogs have been in a kennel situation only and grew up fence fighting. Neutral behavior is not a big issue in many of the places our dogs come from. I also watch the dog’s demeanor on his way to the training field, as well as on his way back to his kennel. The dog should be pulling on his lead on the way to the field; he knows there will be a person there looking for a fight, and that fight should be a much stronger desire for him than barking and lunging at other dogs. I am not saying I would pass up a good candidate for showing a little distraction. But if I have several good dogs to choose from, I will take the one that is most neutral. It might also be a good idea to have one of the dogs from your unit outside a fenced area when you are doing part of the selection test. Be absolutely certain that the candidate cannot get to the other dog. The reason for having your unit dog there is to see whether the new dog would rather do bite work or go to the fence to fight with the other dog. A dog that is willing to leave a fight with a decoy wearing equipment to try to fight another dog most likely
is unsuitable for patrol work. The Training Process Once we have selected a dog and started our initial training, we begin to socialize the dog right away. We do socialization exercises in between our other training modules. If done properly, they are not a negative experience for the dog. Neutral behavior training should be a part of all your training. If neutral behavior is not part of your certification it should be noted in your training records. When starting out neutral training it is important that you start in a neutral area. This should be a new area that you have not done bite work etc in. This will keep the dogs more calm and on task. There should not be other training going on in the area, if the dogs can see other dogs doing bite work it will be hard to keep them on task. The exercises are always done with all dogs in muzzle. (Neutral muzzle behavior is another benefit to the exercises.) At first, we simply take the new dogs out for a walk with the dogs in our unit that we know are not dog-aggressive. The new dog’s behavior determines how close we allow him to be to the other dogs during the walk. The handler’s timing is very important during this exercise. He must watch his dog and correct him at the exact moment the dog starts to show any interest in the other dogs. Interest could include staring, sniffing,
growling, barking, or lunging. The goal is to make the new dog completely neutral to other dogs. If the handler is late on the correction, the moment is lost and the dog will not associate his aggressive behavior with the correction. As the dog learns to walk in the pack, we begin to bring the other dogs closer to him. We walk in a large circle so that there are times when we walk both dogs next to each other, towards each other, or in front or behind the new dog. The handler must continually watch his dog; when the dog is acting neutral, light praise should be given. Too much praise tends to confuse the dog. A simple stroke behind his ears will be enough to let him know you are pleased.
A quick, hard leash correction is enough to show your displeasure. Often, you can correct the dog by simply turning and walking in a different direction, away from the other dogs. At this point you should be heeling the dog. Keep him on task by enforcing the heel. Dogs are social animals and would rather be near a group. If the dog is showing aggression, do not take him near the group. As he becomes more neutral, his reward will be getting closer to the group. Take your time with this training. The first day, you might not get the new dog within 20 yards of the other dogs. Each dog is different, and each will respond to training at a different speed. Each session should be short so as not to make it a highstress event. Do not rush this training: it is an ongoing process that should be done the entire length of the dog’s working life. The slower you take the initial training, the better the foundation will be, and the
less maintenance training will be re- by themselves. It’s important that quired. the handlers be ready to correct the dogs. As training progresses, the dogs will ▶ Direct the dogs to lie down next come nearer to each other and be- to each other, either head-to-head gin making light contact. Contact or front-to-back. Do not let the dog should be the incidental type that in back sniff the other dog. working dogs are likely to have, ▶Walk one dog over the other. such as bumping into each other ▶Give the dogs a soccer ball to play while walking or having to lie down with. This is a very advanced stage in a tight space next to other dogs. that some dogs never get to. If the Again, the handler must have ex- dogs are able to do this exercise, cellent timing, almost being able to let them push the ball around and read the dog’s mind and correct him make sure they are interested only the moment he is thinking about in the ball and do not fight over it. doing the unwanted behavior. The idea of going overboard is to expose the dog to situations in which I mentioned previously that at the a lot is going on and both he and the beginning stages of training you other dogs are in drive. Such testing should use dogs that you know will minimize problems during acare not dog-aggressive. After the tual deployments. first few sessions, include all of the dogs in your unit. If the new dog is A dog that will accept another dog dog-aggressive, he will show more walking over him in training most interest in other dog-aggressive likely will accept another dog bumpdogs, so this is a good time to con- ing into him on an actual search. tinue maintenance training on any problem dogs in your Ideally, we would like the dog to be unit. completely neutral. However, some dogs never will be 100-percent neuPush the Envelope tral, so we will accept the dog simply Continue to push the ignoring other dogs. The difference envelope as your train- can be seen in the dog. The neutral ing progresses. By dog is relaxed and truly does not pushing the envelope, care about the other dog. The dog I mean challenge the that cannot do that but is ignoring new dog to continue to the other dog often will show signs accept the other dogs of stress, such as laying his ears more and more. In back, yawning, or fidgeting. That the advanced stages of is acceptable and shows the dog is training, I like to go far responding to training. Each dog overboard on the con- is different and the handler should tact. In the advanced be able to read the dog well enough stage, we do the follow- to know when the exercise should ing with the muzzled end. Some dogs will show stress in dogs: short amount of time, whereas other ▶Take them off lead dogs may not become stressed at all and let them run during any of the training. around in a fenced area
Another excellent training module is to find an area in which there are aggressive dogs behind fences, such as an alley in a residential area or a business that has guard dogs - for example, junkyards and car lots. First, check the area without your dog along to make sure the other dogs cannot get out. Then, take your dog out on lead and conduct an area search. Give the dog his “search” command and make him think this is a real search. Use a long line and be ready to correct the dog any time he gets off task. The other dogs will be barking and fighting at the fence; a well-trained service dog will ignore the other dogs and stay on task. At first, you might have stay far away from the fenced-in dog. As the training progresses, however, you will be able to move closer to the fences. After your dog is used to that, you will see that on actual searches he will not pay any attention to dogs in the area. The idea behind all of this training is to make the dog accept his position in the pack. Pack behavior is a topic for a separate article, but should be mentioned here briefly. A dog that accepts other dogs is showing that he understands that his place in the pack is behind the handler. The handler’s mindset should be
that if another dog needs to be corrected, it is not his dog’s duty to do so. The pack leader is the one who metes out discipline. I have found that once the pack relationship is established, many other areas of training become easier; for example, the verbal release. Corrections To this point, we have discussed leash corrections only. All of the previously described behavior should be given a leash correction. Depending on the dog, however, other types of corrections might be needed. Although a power collar works well for many aspects of service dog training, I do not recommend one for this. When the dog shows aggression, there should be no question in his mind that the correction is coming from the handler. A leash correction (using a pinch collar if necessary) or an “alpha roll” are the best corrections for dog aggression. The alpha roll should only be used in cases of dog fighting or when the dog challenges the handler. Dog fighting is when the dog actually attacks another dog. The alpha roll is an advanced training concept that should be done only after proper instruction from an experienced trainer. An improper alpha roll will create more problems than no correction at all. Integrating Canine Socialization Neutral behavior training can be part of all your other training. Once you have gotten to some of the advanced exercises, try setting up a
search where you have two or more muzzled dogs in the area searching off lead. Conduct a narcotics search using several dogs in the same area, all doing the search. All the same principals apply: keep the dogs on task and paying no attention to any of the other dogs. As time goes on, scenario training will become more realistic and the dogs will be exposed to situations you will more than likely encounter on the street.
Jeff Meyer will present an entire class on Dog on Dog aggression at HITS 2015 . The class includes videos and more information than is included here.
10 Reasonshy W
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Create your own training schedule at HITS. At HITS, handlers can plan their own training schedules and choose only the classes that interest them. By designing and personalizing your own training schedule, you get the classes you want and nothing more.
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HITS has the largest selection of K9 Training classes. At HITS, handlers can choose from a variety of courses and we offer 6 simultaneous classrooms that give you more choices every day. Unlike the smaller conferences, HITS pays the instructors to travel across the country to come train you. We don’t use infomercials as fillers for your quality training sessions. Qualified and experienced educators make a real difference and it’s what sets us apart and makes HITS so popular.
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HITS moves from east to west each year. We know travel costs can be prohibitive so we move the conference around each year. We want to bring the training to every interested handler and by moving it around, we’re bound to get near enough to make it possible for you to attend.
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HITS has the largest vendor hall at any K-9 conference. From buying dogs to buying leashes, HITS brings you all the great vendors that you’ve come to trust and many that you might have never met. Looking for new resources for all your K-9 needs? HITS is the place to check out all the latest in the industry.
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HITS networking is like no other. With more than 600 attendees, instructors and vendors, the wealth of information sharing at HITS can help you find solutions to every problem your K-9 unit faces.
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HITS Training is cost effective. There simply isn’t any training venue that compares to HITS when it comes to value and experience. HITS training is designed to help handlers, supervisors and administrators of K-9 units. Our classes are tailored around the most popular K-9 disciplines in the US today. From the streets to the prisons, our classes help educate the entire chain of command at a reasonable tuition.
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HITS has classes that are more than just dog training. Worrying about civil law suits? Wondering if your unit keeps K-9 records the right way? Interested in upping your game in the courtroom? Interested in finding grants for more equipment? Ever wondered about the health of your dog, the food he eats or emergency first aid? It’s all at HITS...
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year because we listen to your needs. We didn’t get this popular because we thought we knew everything. We listened to our attendees and we still do. We have a great survey process each year that gives our attendees a chance to be heard. We want your ideas about training classes and instructors. If you know of an instructor that deserves to be heard, let us know. We grow larger because we bring you the training you want.
A Inside Look at:
If you travel out beyond the interstate, along the country roads of west-
ern New Smyrna Beach, Fla., you will find a sign marking the entrance of Southern Coast K9, Inc., that reads: “Through These Gates Are Some of the Best Working Dogs in the World.” At the helm of this state-of-the-art canine training facility is Bill Heiser, founder of Southern Coast K9, Inc. (SCK9) It is Heiser’s motto: “Better Training, Better Results and Better Dogs,” that best describes how he runs his business – with the highest standards of excellence in the industry. With top of the line canine training facilities, high quality police canines, excellent training services and a highly experienced staff, SCK9 is one of the best in the business. Founded in 1988, Heiser’s canine enterprise began with just two kennels for his dogs and has since expanded to more than 80 kennels and growing.
soned professionals is committed to working as hard as necessary so that canine teams leave the facility prepared to meet any challenge ahead.
Heiser, His Staff and Their State-of-the-Art Facility
Prior to opening the gates of SCK9, Heiser served for 16 years as a canine drug detection handler for the Volusia County Sheriff ’s Department, from which he retired. He was selected by National Guard Multi-Jurisdictional Counter Drug Task Force Training to be an instructor for their K9 Interdiction Course. Heiser has received certification through several canine detection training schools including the U.S. Customs Training Facility, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement K9 Instructors’ Course and is a National Detection Dog Trainer with the United States Police Canine Association.
The training facilities and kennels are centrally located near two international airports and within minutes to Central Florida’s major interstates. At SCK9, Heiser’s considerable SCK9 is a thriving business well placed on 10 acres experience affords of beautiful Central Florida land, a short drive from the world-famous tourist destination, Daytona Beach. canine handlers hands-on learning from one of The mission at SCK9 is to produce the most ef- the best in the business. He not only guides his clifective canine teams possible. Heiser’s staff of sea- ents through the process of finding the right dog
for their needs, he commits to continued service long after the sale is closed and canine training is complete. All of SCK9’s trainers have prior law enforcement and military experience in the United States and Europe. The staff of 11 professionals has a passion for working with canines. While caring for each dog as if it were their own, the SCK9 team has produced some of best dual purpose and detection dogs in the field. The training facility employs multiple canine handlers and trainers whose professionalism and knowledge of what makes a good instructor, coupled with their hands-on training seminars, means the canine-and-handler teams they train go on to reach tremendous success in the field.
SCK9 offers two training buildings with more than 8,000 square feet of space. They are set up with 14 rooms, individually styled to recreate real-life scenarios for the canine teams, which includes the use of real odors for drug, bomb and cell phone canine detection. Upon arrival to SCK9, visitors find a facility that is impeccably clean and operated with incomparable efficiency. Heiser is known for his attention to detail and standards of excellence throughout his staff. The stateof-the-art facility is critical not only for the work conditions during training but to also ensure a healthy environment for the dogs and visitors.
Canine Sales and Training Southern Coast K9 always has 80 dogs available to fit the needs of whatever the client’s mission, from fully trained dogs to selection tested “green” dogs. Canine handler training classes are scheduled every six weeks to teach clients proficiency in the skill of managing their dog. In this thorough class, at one of the most reputable canine training facilities
in the United States, clients receive hands-on training and learn comprehensive canine handling techniques. Taught by professional instructors, the classes are both great fun and challenging – not only for the enthusiastic men and women who attend – but for the canines as well.
SCK9 Training Courses: A Class of Their Own A comprehensive training course schedule is key in developing a successful canine. Because no canine team arrives
ready to work, canine handler training is critical for the success of the team. An intensive twoweek program for the single purpose detection, for example, is considered the minimal amount of time necessary for a dog and handler to bond; and for the client to learn all the techniques involved in canine handling. With a maximum of eight students per class, each individual receives personal, one-on-one attention. Some of the material that the SCK9 courses cover includes search patterns, off-site situations (warehouses, vehicles, etc.), case law, and court presentation.
Canine Sales Southern Coast K9 has a selection of dogs from Europe, where the world’s best canines have been bred for decades. Before they are shipped to Heiser and his team, a veterinarian assesses each dog. Trained staff then hand-select the dogs for excellent health and temperament and must fit Heiser’s specifications: a dog must be sociable, well rounded and possess an extreme amount of drive. Once they arrive at the SCK9 facilities, the dog is examined once again by a trusted SCK9 veterinarian. Heiser and his team of canine trainers then carefully evaluate
each dog, assessing it for stamina and drive in a variety of environments. This rigorous vetting guarantees the client will receive a top quality, healthy and productive canine partner to count on for years to come.
tion training in which only real drugs are utilized. This training is vital so that when canine officers are called to court, they can testify their drug dog only hits on illegal substances. SCK9 dogs are taught to detect marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and meth. is fascinating to observe dogs in search of SCK9 Guarantees Their Prod- Itdrugs. When a dog locates the drugs, it will siguct and Their Training nal the find with a passive alert – an unassisted sit position. When training drug dogs, they are Southern Coast K9 wants every client to walk trained to detect the scent and the SCK9 trainaway confident that the training was successful er builds each dog’s confidence with positive, and that the canine purchase was well worth the reward-based training. This ensures their drug investment. Because of this, SCK9 offers a one- dogs are always confident and eager in unfamiliar year work ability guarantee and a two-year health surroundings. guarantee. Through Heiser’s experience, he has learned that any unsolvable problems with a ca- To hone the detection skills of both the dog and nine are discovered well before the year is over. the drug dog handler, training is provided for searches in many realistic environments, includThe SCK9 team works to identify and correct any ing: problems as soon as possible. If there is a genuine problem with the dog, rest assured they will work Buildings: A drug dog learns to perform drug with each client through training and/or replace- searches in structures varying in size and comment. With the SCK9 reputation on the line with plexity while working through a number of diseach and every dog he and his team trains, Heiser tractions. emphasizes that clients can count on support both before and after the sale of a dog. Vehicles: The dogs are taught to search through a variety of vehicle types from small cars to large Meeting the Needs of Clients with Multiple Dis- trucks to simulate realistic traffic stops and vehicciplines ular drug searches. To ensure all client needs are met, SCK9 offers a Luggage: Drug dogs receive extensive training by variety of training through multiple disciplines, searching luggage and lockers to detect drugs. including: drug dogs, bomb dogs, dual purpose dogs and cell phone dogs.
Bomb Detection Dogs
Drug Detection Dogs
Bomb detection dogs are trained for realistic explosive detection. At SCK9, the bomb dogs are put through training by utilizing real explosive materials in the Before training, each drug dog is hand-selected exercises. Each bomb dog learns for intense hunt, retrieval and possession drive. to detect the unique scent of a variety of explosive At SCK9, all dogs go through realistic drug detecmaterials.
By the end of their training, bomb dogs are able to detect approximately 15 different combinations of explosive materials – in trace and in bulk samples. As “passive-alert” dogs, they learn to signal the presence of anything suspicious by assuming an unassisted ‘sit’ position near a suspected explosive device. During explosive detection dog training, the SCK9 team painstakingly recreates the scenarios and situations bomb dogs are likely to encounter when they enter the workforce. An SCK9 bomb dog is
able to confidently work in airports, public facilities, ports of call, campuses, shopping centers, and combat zones. These dogs are prepared for the job, and have been successfully put to the test throughout the nation, and across the globe. SCK9 has supplied trained bomb dogs and on-going training over the past 10 years to American K9 Detection Services, LLC – the leading provider of canine detection services in the world.
Dual-Purpose
Police Dogs Dual dog training offers canine efficiency and is an economical choice. A dual-purpose dog is trained for either patrol and drug detection or patrol and bomb detection. Acquiring a police dog that can do two jobs is a cost-effective move for law enforcement departments. Acquiring, handling and maintaining multiple police dogs can stretch the budget of police departments and agencies. The investment of highly skilled, dual purpose dogs can ease the pain of manpower shortage, particularly in rural departments
where law enforcement officers must work independently to cover large areas. SCK9 offers trained police dogs and untrained or “green” police dogs that have been screened, selection tested and ready to be trained. SCK9 strives to offer superior working dogs with balanced drives, great nerves and excellent temperaments from proven working lines. A SCK9 trained dual-purpose dog is a fully trained police dog skilled in tracking, handler protection,
both on- and off-leash obedience, obstacle course simulating real life emergency situations; area and building search, and criminal apprehension. They strive to ensure dual purpose canines can focus under distraction by utilizing gunfire, load noises and a variety of distractors that could be present in any environment.
Dual-Purpose Drug Detection Dogs These dogs are fully trained police dogs with the additional advantage of being able to also detect drugs.
In the drug detection component of their dual-purpose training, SCK9 only utilizes real drugs.
Dual Purpose Bomb Detection Dogs These dogs are fully trained police dogs with the additional advantage of being able to also detect bombs. For bomb detection, dogs are trained with real explosive materials.
Southern Coast K9 strives to continually excel in “Better Training, Better Dogs, Bringing Better Results” and Heiser ensures his facility would “only sell dogs that SCK9 would personally work with.” Visit them on www.southerncoastk9.com or call 1-877-903-DOGS (3647) to request further information on sales or services. Be sure to follow SCK9 at www.facebook.com/southerncoastk9 to stay up to date on industry news.
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Common Patrol Dog Training Errors
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‘A dog that fails to engage can be a morale destroying moment. But the good news for most,it’s only a training issue.’
Error #1: Poor Dog Selection The most dreadful issue for a police agency with a patrol service dog is poor dog selection. The issues stemming from poor dog selection can’t be corrected through training. Everything looks right about the dog to the novice members of the agency and many of these dogs will be allowed to pass their training and certifications. But when the moment of truth is at hand and the dog shows that it simply doesn’t have the heart to engage a suspect, the questions begin to multiply as to why and how such a failure occurs. Unfortunately, poor genetics resulting in timidness or a lack of courage cannot be reversed through training.
Error #2: Inadequate Transition Training There are many dogs that easily make the leap from biting all the training equipment to biting and solidly holding a suspect in a real life event. Unfortunately, the number of dogs that need additional training that directly addresses the transition is very high across the country. Our basic K-9 training academy classes must provide ample time and adequate training techniques to bridge the gap between training and the real world apprehensions. Finding yourself staring at a dog that fails to engage can be a morale destroying moment but the good news for most, it’s only a training issue.
Error #3: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde The most notable influence upon a patrol dog that is standing at the crucible where his worth is poised, is the handler. You have a quality police dog, it’s been chosen for its genetic superiority and given the best training possible and you both stand ready to make your first apprehension. You become so nervous that you turn into someone that the dog has never seen before. Your emotions send your voice octaves higher, you get louder than normal and even your body movements are significantly different. Everything about you is sending panic signals to the dog and the message is one of negativity. Your dog backs out and fails to engage because you exploded with emotions that were misunderstood by the dog.
Error #4: No Scenario Based Training
One of the first things that handlers need to understand about police dogs, is that they generally perform to our liking when we have exposed them to a broad and diverse series of scenario based training exercises. Your imagination is your only limitation to exposing your dog to what he might encounter on the street. I’ve seen and heard many stories about dogs that have failed to engage or dogs that have engaged with remarkably poor results. Be creative from every angle imaginable and your dog will be much more prepared for the first apprehension.
Error #5: Not Being a Supporter and Manager Handlers oftentimes become caught up in the moment when an apprehension is being made or is being attempted by the dog. Some handlers expect too much from their young novice dog and walk away slightly disappointed in the dog’s performance if it’s not what the handler had imagined it would be. If you must to go hands-on with a suspect while your young dog is making his first attempt at an apprehension, great. Now is the time to meter out your use of force control over the suspect while being verbally supportive and encouraging to the dog. Don’t be afraid to repeat your bite command and deliver positive praise to the dog
while at the same time giving the suspect commands to surrender or to stop fighting. Once the suspect has been handcuffed and no longer a threat, remove the dog from the bite and allow the dog to hold the ground it’s won in the fight while the suspect is removed from the area by other officers. It’s your obligation to support, encourage and manage this entire event. It’s a lot of responsibility, but you were chosen to be a K-9 handler because people saw those leadership qualities in you. Jeff Barrett will be teaching at HITS 2015
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HITS 2015
-6 Classes going on at a time
The Dog’s K’nose- David Adebimpe
2015 Drug K-9 Legal Update- Ted Daus
Environmental Factors That Effect Odor- Rick Ashabraner
Selecting and Training The Young Police Dog- Steve Dean
Tactical Tracking & Woodland Ops/ Critical Incident Debrief- Jeff Barrett
K-9’s In Custody- Dave Dorn
Following the Money Trail, Bulk Cash Investigations – Joseph Burke The Modern Approach to Training A Police Dog- Laz Cabrera Training With the Use Of A Treadmill- Laz Cabrera Quick Food Fixes That Will Improve Performance- Jill Kline K-9 Supervisor, More Than Just a Title- Ron Cloward Behavior Driven Training- Ron Cloward Sub Surface Odor for Explosive Detection Dogs- Derek Copeland
Warrior Mindset/ Critical Incident Debrief- Marty Dulworth K-9 Learning Concepts and Problem Solving- Bob Eden Urban Areas Security Initiative- Ari Elkin Making Patrol Dogs Reliable Through Picture Training- Ricky Farley K-9 Learning & Clear CommunicationCameron Ford Selection Testing- Bill Heiser Proper Practice Make Perfect for Bomb Teams- Chris Jakubin
5 Classes
e, you pick your own schedule Reasons We Get In Trouble- Bill Lewis Leadership Challenges in The K-9 Unit- Bill Lewis Trust Your Dog’s Nose- Mike Lewis Detection K-9 Problem Solving- Ken Licklider Prison Dogs= Steve Lowe Bad Religion- Rob Lukason Tactical Area Search- Jeff Meyer Fixing Dog on Dog Aggression Issues- Jeff Meyer Tactical K-9 Casualty Care-Laura Miller EOD Team Tactics, Techniques and Procedures- Ray Neely Tactical Police Decoy- Aaron Peterman
Identifying & Resolving Problem BehaviorsJason Purgason Service Dog Procurement from 1970 Into The 21st Century- Dave Reaver Power Biting- Jason Rigney High Risk Patrol Operations- Brad Smith Dutch Methods For A Street Worthy DogGreg Thomas/ Dick Van Leenan European Influence On The US K-9 Profession- Greg Thomas/ Dick Van Leenan K-9s In The Courtroom- Andrew Weiman The Puzzle of Street Tracking- Armin Winkler 7 Deadly Sins- Bob Wright Running A Successful K-9 Unit- Bob Wright Vapor Wake Technology- Paul Hammond