When it comes to law enforcement and canine companions, the idea of buying a police dog might come up. Many people wonder if it is possible to buy a police dog, and there are a few things to consider before making such a purchase. Police dogs are highly trained and specialized animals, and they come with both a big cost and responsibility. Before purchasing a police dog, it is important to understand the training process, the associated costs, and the level of commitment required. This blog post will explore the process and cost of buying a police dog, as well as the necessary commitment to care for a police dog. It will also go over the roles a canine law enforcement officer plays in the line of duty and the benefits they bring to law enforcement teams.
Dog options
Police dogs come in a lot of varieties. When a vendor refers to a “green dog,” he is referring to a canine that has been assessed for its potential to be a police dog, meaning it possesses the necessary nerves and drives to complete the task.
Contrary to what some vendors may claim, some have higher standards and a better eye for dogs. An expert trainer should help you evaluate the dog (you can email me for a copy of a K-9 Test of a Green Dog at the address below this article).
Some green dogs are deemed suitable for dual-purpose work, which means they can be trained for both patrol duties (e.g., sniffing out drugs or explosives) and detection work (e.g. g. , tracking, apprehension, handler protection, and building and area searches).
Dogs deemed suitable for only one of the two roles—perhaps a detection-only dog or a patrol-only dog—are referred to as single-purpose green dogs. Any single purpose detection dog can typically be trained in tracking as well.
Fully trained K-9s can be dual-purpose (pre-trained for patrol/narcotics or patrol/explosives) or single-purpose (pre-trained for narcotics detection, explosives detection, or patrol).
Training options
There are two ways to receive training: in a classroom setting or with a private instructor. The handler brings a young dog to the academy course, which is typically run by a police department, and goes through the training with the dog for 14 to 16 weeks. With a private trainer, the dog is expertly prepared for training, and the owner participates in a four to six week handler course to learn how to maintain the training and use the dog.
Green dogs need to complete a full training program; typically, this takes 10–12 weeks for detection-only dogs and 14–16 weeks for patrol or dual-purpose dogs. Due to some academies only offering one specialty at once, it may take up to 36 weeks to train a dual purpose dog to completion.
Do your homework to determine how long the handler must attend class. Typically, during the training course, a handler only needs to be away from the agency for about four weeks. This could result in significant cost savings for the agency. Check the productivity of the dogs who pass the course, whether you choose an academy course or a private trainer, so you are confident your dog will be productive. Unlike some private trainers, most academy courses do not “guarantee” the training You should assess all your options.
What to Know About Retired Police Dogs
Most of the time, police dogs retire because of age. These intelligent dogs put in a lot of effort throughout their entire lives, first in training and then in actual service. They’re ready to hang up their K-9 badges by age 7 or 8 (or occasionally up to 10 or 11) and enjoy the rest of their years in peace.
Despite the fact that police dogs are exceptionally well-trained, job stress can have unintended consequences such as anxiety and depression. Canines that leave the police force could display undesirable traits like aggression, separation anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. As a result, they might need more training or even re-socialization when they retire.
This is not to say that it wouldn’t be worthwhile to adopt a retired police dog. In many instances, adopting a retired police K-9 is a fantastic opportunity to give a working dog a chance to be just a dog. Read on to learn the steps you must take if you want to pursue this kind of rescue.
FAQ
How much is a police dog worth?
The current cost of a police dog is approximately $12,000, not including the training. An additional $11,000 is needed for the dog’s initial training in patrol and detection. Consequently, it will cost about $22,500 to buy and first train one police dog.
Do police dogs make good pets?
Police dogs typically make wonderful pets, despite the fact that they can become aggressive on demand. These intelligent, obedient, and devoted animals can make wonderful additions to any family.
Can you buy police dogs UK?
As part of this program, we offer dogs for sale that range in age and ability, including dogs that can be ordered. In addition to providing dogs to the majority of UK police forces, the program breeds dogs that are sold to both public and private organizations around the world.
Can any dog breed be a police dog?
German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Dutch Shepherds are the most popular breeds, and occasionally these breeds are combined. Although less common, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinchers, and Bouvier de Flandres are still occasionally used. If a breed’s sole function is detection, other breeds are used.