Any of you K9 officers and can offer advice? My live-in boyfriend just accepted the job, and will receive his German Shephard in January. What is my role in this? Can I 'baby' the dog while it is at home and not working? What are the dos and donts?
2006-12-20 06:07:31 · 6 answers · asked by asuthrnaffair 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Excellent question. I am a K9 handler, and I must say that when I was selected, it was one of the biggest honors that I have had in my 28 years as a LEO. I am a field supervisor, and I have found that my K9 and I have a relationship which is rarely understood by others. She will do anything which is required of her, and often, she perceives a threat when one is not truly there.
The K9's are extremely intelligent animals; however, they are just that--animals. She responds to the training that she receives. No, she is not a pet, but she loves my wife and girls. Before she came home, I took the family out to the department's kennels where they were able to throw a ball for her. She took to the girls almost immediately. They were not allowed to be with her by themselves for about six months. Now, they help in feeding her and playing, but they understand that she is a police K9.
I could not agree more with others telling you to respect the K9. You will get emotionally attached to the K9 very quickly, but again, allow time to pass with your new member. BTW help your boyfriend with issues that will happen. Your K9 will have accidents, etc. Now is the time to prepare for those little emergencies. Also, make sure you have the contact numbers for his supervisor in case your boyfriend is not available to respond to a crisis at home.
Again, congrats on the new responsibility. Did your boyfriend also tell you that he will receive a pay adjustment? He owes you dinner, in advance.
2006-12-21 11:09:33 · answer #1 · answered by Christopher H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having been in the field of working police K-9's for the last 26 years, I have a little experience on the subject. When your Bf gets the dog he will probably have come in from Europe where he got his initial training and most likely a sport dog title like a Sch1, 2 ,3 or a ZVV title. When he gets here he will be given to you and he will ahve to start training for the REAL WORLD, the street. He will not know alot of people here and he will be a little confused. He will also not have any idea what you are saying since he was raised listening to another language. The best thing to do is leave him alone for the first few days as he gets to know you and you get to know him. He will not be a push over or an overly affectionate animal since he was chosen for his working abilities. He will most likely be in a kennel, inside or outside, and that is where he belongs for the time being. Until everybode is properly introduced you do not want a dog loose around the house that you have no control over. When you get to know him you can spend time with him, but always respecting the fact that he is a working dog first. If your BF feels comfortable several months later you may be able to take him for a walk, fully respecting and realizing the fact that this dog CAN AND WILL ENGAGE a human being and different things will make him go off then a house pet. Respect him and he will respect you. Never relegate him down to pet status because he is not a pet. And at last never forget this, if you ignore everything else I said to you ALWAYS remember this. Your BF's life will one day depend upon that dog, they will work together everyday and spend more time together then you and him will. Make sure that you allow that dog to remain a working dog and not a pet. I hope this helps you out a little and my congatulations to your BF, he is about to enter an experience like no other he has ever had.
2006-12-20 06:28:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
I think it's just as necessary for dogs to be protected, as it is for the humans. They're both "fighting crime", why would half of the equation be lesser than the other half? The police department an hour away [not for my town] has an accumulation of 4 police dogs, only one of them has a bullet proof vest/protection. They've been working on finding the funding's to get three more, but it's unfortunate that no one there cares to help. Heck, no one *here* cares to help, and they've come to this area numerous times for crimes being committed, and gang violence happening. Thankfully, it was a town over and not the direct town that I live in. Either way. I've tried fundraisers and collection cans in stores, but there are so many people that put their childrens' and friends' cans in every store in existence [from here to NYC, I'm sure]; that if the people have had to choose between helping out the police department with their dogs, and helping out a stranger's plea for their friend's mother's cousin's cousin's best friend's daughter's daughter's grandchild's pneumonia bills in South Carolina [we're in NY].
2016-05-23 01:19:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't own a police dog, but I work in a veterinary practice where we work with the dogs for vet care and physical conditioning. We see a lot of officers and their respective wives with the dogs, and it's very much the same relationship that most dog owners have with pet dogs.
The shepards go through a lot of very intensive bite and search training, and there are some special considerations to take because of their inherent skills. Some of the dogs, particularly those who've been imported from Europe, are not always well socialized, and are more comfortable in bite exercises than they are meeting new people. Take special care while the young dog becomes more familiar with commands when people come over, particularly young children.
Feel free to buy him toys, cuddle him and spoil him rotten. Working dogs and still dogs, and all the Shepards and Belgians that we see have loving and pampering Mommies at home.
One dog, named Thunder, comes to visit us weekly. He has since been retired from the force and comes to see us for general exercise. When he officially retired, his parents threw him a retirement party, attended by almost 100 people, where Thunder was the guest of honor. His parents have since adopted another dog to go to work with Dad, while Thunder enjoys a life of relaxation at home with Mom after his years of service. Sometimes Deuce, the new dog, gets a little chippy with Thunder, but both dogs are very responsive to commands and are corrected easily. Other than the fact that each dog dons a badge on his collar, they're pretty much family boys.
I hope you have fun with your new dog. I'm sure you're both so excited! Thank your husband for all he and his future partner do for us - it's very appreciated.
2006-12-20 06:37:28 · answer #4 · answered by sjlawson12 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your boyfriend will receive a list of rules and regulations regarding the dog. follow these to a T . these are highly trained animals and any mistake they make if something has not been properly followed can cost someone their life. maybe even your boyfriends. you should never "baby" any dog, they need to be taught rules and follow them. this will not be a typical dog. they are trained and have different roles depending on what type of dog they are and what they are being used for. this dog deserves your love and respect, and you can do that by following the guidlines that will be given to your boyfriend. and how exciting for him, i would consider this an honor!
2006-12-20 06:20:40 · answer #5 · answered by cagney 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can treat the dog as you would any other just avoid the commands the dog has learned for crime fighting. If the dog is trained correctly the dog will know when it is working and not
2006-12-20 06:14:40 · answer #6 · answered by aussie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋