Training, and Effectiveness \"K-9 History:

¶ … Training, and Effectiveness

"K-9 History: The Dogs of War!" states that throughout warfare history "from the days of the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Persians and the conquests of the Roman Empire. To the United Nation's Police action in Korea, the war in Vietnam, the Gulf War and more recently during the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo. Dogs have undergone active service at the aide of their masters." (nd) However, as of World War I, U.S. Troops had not yet established "an official K9 Program...American Troops had to barter with the French, Belgian and English troops for trained sentry and courier dogs." (Hubble, nd) the work entitled: "History of Police Dogs" states that dogs were first used for "hunting, hauling and guarding camps and settlements. At some point, they begun to be used for military purposes and for social control, particularly to control slaves and guard properties. By the 5th century B.C., various societies had adopted these strategies." (K9 Global Training Academy Working Dogs, 2007) it is related that upon the arrival of the British in Jamestown dogs were used for the "intentional extermination of he native population...they were hunted down by dogs, blood-Hounds to draw after them and mastiffs to seize them." (K9 Global Training Academy Working Dogs, 2007) K-9s were used historically with no formality however, in October 1984, the Global Training Academy was "born and found its present home at 7705 Patton Road, Somerset Texas" (K9 Global Training Academy Working Dogs, 2007)by Dan Hayter, Ken Nelson and Jim Parks and a year later Bob Barnes joined the K-9 academy training team.

II. TRAINING of K-9S

Training of K-9s for law enforcement involves not only training the K9 but training the officer as well. Police dog handlers must necessarily learn required skills in order to effectively work with a police patrol dog, drug detection dog, explosive detection dog or field tracking dog. The handler courses are described as "intensive and include lecture, classroom and practical exercises." (Highland Canine Training, 2008) This training ensures that the "police dog handlers understand the processes and basic principles involved in training police dogs." This knowledge enables the police dog handlers to have a better capability "of working and problem solving when they encounter extreme conditions in the field." (Highland Canine Training, 2008) as already noted police dogs may be trained in several specialty fields including: (1) patrol; (2) drug detection; (3) explosive protection; (4) tracking; and (5) others. Training is different for each of these specialties. The work entitled: "Police Dog Training is Essential to Getting the Best Out of the Dog's Natural Abilities" relates that police dog training is important "to get the dog to perform its assigned role that includes prevention of crime as well as going on operational patrols." (2008) Police dog training involves "constant rewards and praise being given to the dog which should help strengthen its work ethic because the dog puts in much hard work." () it is critically necessary that the dog is fed well and gets plenty of exercise.

The work of Tim Tieken (1999) entitled: "Early Life Management for the Tracking Dog" states that the temperament of a dog may be one that is either motivated by confidence or motivated by fear. The dog motivated by confidence is: (1) able to focus on task; (2) appropriately friendly toward strangers; (3) has the appropriate defense posturing, controlled aggression or attack in response to a real threat, and quick recovery when threat is removed; (4) curious investigation of a new objected interjected into the dog's environment; and (5) is confident anywhere. (Tieken, 1999) the dog that is motivated by fear is: (1) distracted by fear and loses ability to focus; (2) inappropriate fight, flight, or avoidance; (3) inappropriate response to a real threat, slow recovery when threat is removed; (4) Inhibited response to an unfamiliar object avoidance; slow approach and acceptance of object; aggressive toward object; and (5) unable to cope with a new environment. (Tieken, 1999) it is important the temperament of the dog is of a good orientation. The following chart illustrates the orientation and where the dog's social, sexual and micturition behaviors should be oriented.

Orientation

Source: Tieken (1999)

The appropriate socialization of the dog is also important. Guidelines for socialization of the dog is shown for the age appropriate socialization in the following table.

Age/Appropriate Socialization

AGE

APPROPRIATE SOCIALIZATION

0-5 weeks

Dog needs nurturing from the dam and to be protected from environmental extremes.

3-5 weeks

Some human contact is advisable

5-8 weeks

Continue nurturing, but allow some mild stress such as cold or short-term social isolation. Also increase human contact with some interaction. Studies have revealed that pups that experience mild stress grow up to handle stress better than littermates who were protected from all stress.

8-10 weeks

This is a fear imprinting period. Avoid negative forceful reinforcements; minimize all stress; be careful to avoid threatening situations (e.g., close proximity to large strange dogs, manwork, or courage testing). Continue to socialize the dog.

10-24 weeks

Avoid negative forceful reinforcements Avoid close proximity to manwork, but allow the pup to observe at a safe distance. Graduate his exposure as his confidence grows. Avoid anything that cowers him until the dog is ready. Demonstrate to the dog that you are confident and allow him the freedom to investigate on his own.

24+ weeks

Avoid anything that cowers him until he is ready. Show him your confidence. Remember you are working with a child.

Source: Tieken (1999)

III. EFFECTIVENESS of the K-9 UNIT