Can you be a police officer in the K9 unit if you have pets at home?

Question

Also, would other things disqualify you from having the opportunity? such as, kids at home? Thank you for your help.

I am not asking if I can use it as a pet. But K9 officers are with these dogs, from my understanding, 24/7. They come home with them every day and go to work with them every day. Would you be able to be a K9 officer if you have a pet dog? or have kids? I am not questioning whether or not it is a good decision, because I would trust the K9 dog trained, the trainer, and my husband. I am asking if having kids and having a pet dog would disqualify a police officer from being able to be a K9 officer.

Answer 1

No problem at all. Our department has six k-9's. All of the handlers have children as well as other pets. As a matter of fact not having a pet and experience with animals is a disqualifying factor when we select new K9 handlers. Our department purchases a good size kennel to place at the handlers home in the event they have other animals that are too territorial.
All of our K9 our socialized to be around their handlers, children, and other people. However it is strongly discouraged to allow other people try and control the animal or to tell other people the animals attack signals. Most of our animals will not respond to anyone but their handler, but they are animals and can make mistakes.

Answer 2

In my old department K9 officers could have children, a spouse and pets. The K9's are not and killers and are well trained. While other dogs in the house that are not well trained or to territorial by disposition are sometimes a problem the department prefers families with children (the don't discriminate but prefer). It helps keep the K9 socialized.

Answer 3

Kids are not a problem.
Other dogs of the same size that may try to dominate would be a problem.
The K9 is the officer's partner. It goes home with him at night. Some K9's are kenneled within the home, but most are socialized within the home.

Answer 4

My local news paper just did a story last week on a new K9 pair. He had a dog and 2 small children at home.

Answer 5

You would be the one working with the dog. It is not likely you would share your kids and your dog at the same time. The dog belongs to the police department so it would not be used as a family pet. If you have kids and pets, you would probably not want to be in this position.