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

The work entitled: "Establishing a New K9 Unit for a Small Department" published by the North Americans Police Work Dog Association (N.A.P.W.D.A.) states in terms of effectiveness "Patrolling in a well marked K9 vehicle clearly states the intent of the police department to combat crime and to use extremely effective 'tools' to accomplish this." (N.A.P.W.D.A., 2008) the deterrent effect is stated as "amazing." (2008)...

They can travel and clear an area much quicker...the police work dog is capable of smelling the odor of a human being from hundreds of yards away..." (N.A.P.W.D.A., 2008)
SUMMARY and CONCLUSION

As this work has related, it is important to choose the dog with the right temperament. Secondly, it is important that the individual who will be working with the dog is involved in the dog's training if at all possible. The police dog is an asset to the police force in many areas including tracking, sniffing out explosives and drugs, apprehending criminals, and other various extremely worthy capabilities that the dog is trained to assist the police officer with during his daily work. The police dog is a hard-working dog well-worth the investment if the police dog is cared for well and utilized effectively by the individual who handles the working police K-9.

Bibliography

Hubble, Bert (nd) a Brief History of War Dogs in the U.S. Military: A Historical Perspective. 47th Scout Dog Platoon. Online available at http://www.47ipsd.us/47k9hist.htm

K-9 History: The Dogs of War!

http://community-2.webtv.net/Hahn-50thAP-K9/K9History/

History of Police Dogs (2007) K9 Global Training Academy Working Dogs. Online available at http://www.k9gta.com/History-of-Police-Dogs.html

Establishing a New K9 Unit for a Small Department (2008) North American Police Work Dog Association. Online available at http://www.napwda.com/tips/index.phtml?id=41

Police Dog Training is Essential to Getting the Best Out of the Dog's Natural Abilities (2008) www. Dogtraininginput.com

Tieken, Tim (1999) Early Life Management for the Tracking Dog. North-West K9: Excellence in Working Dogs. Online available at http://www.nwk9.com/early_life_management01.htm