The Difference Between Police Dogs And Family Protection Dogs

The Difference Between Police Dogs And Family Protection Dogs

Most professional law enforcement and security companies use police patrol dogs, bomb detection dogs, and narcotics detection dogs that have been bred and imported from European countries. While Europe has always prided itself on breeding dogs with the temperament and drive for workability, this does not mean that every dog from Europe is Rin-Tin-Tin. With this in mind, many families looking for a family protection dog inquire after dogs that fail police work in the hopes that they can get them on the cheap.

To a professional dog person this is like asking to buy a car that you know has serious problems. If a dog fails a dog trainer's course for police work it's usually not because they don't have the drive. Rather, they have nervous system issues and become stressed by situations, decoys, and/or a handler's direction. The lesson is that a police officer doesn't want a nervous dog in their car, and when it comes to family protection you shouldn't want a nervous dog in your home.

At Workdogs International, we select police dogs to be police dogs and family dogs to be family dogs. the difference between the two is simply lower drive in prey and activity. Simply put it's the difference between a racehorse and a quality trail horse that can run. A homeowner does not need the high activity drive that the police officer and security officer needs from his/her animal during a 40-50 hour work week.

Every dog we select for family protection is tested differently from a police dog. When dogs are imported to our ranch, they must complete a minimum of three weeks training learning to protect and function in buildings, vehicles, and urban situations. We never just box up a dog and send it to a client, and we seriously caution you to avoid anyone who does. This is unprofessional, dangerous for the client, and inconsiderate to the animal. In fact, our clients must visit the ranch and over a three to five day period learn to handle the dog in various situations.

Always remember that no dog is "push button." Every dog needs a pack leader, and will need a physical correction sooner or later. We don't care how much money you pay for the dog, without proper handling it's going to jump the counter and take your Ribeye. Often clients opt to have staff members stay at their home for two or three days upon delivery, working a few hours a day introducing the dog to its new family.

You want and need a family protection dog, but you want one with the right temperament and training to do the job. Do your homework before making this addition to your family.

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This work by http://www.policedogtrainers.com/ is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.