| Dogs are more than just pets. They can provide | | | | they can detect cadavers and missing persons. |
| assistance, provide guardianship, and help with | | | | SAR dogs are often used in the wilderness, after |
| daily tasks. Many people take advantage of what | | | | avalanches, and after disasters. SAR and tracking |
| a dog can offer to their work, and police and | | | | dogs are even able to detect missing persons |
| other government organizations are no exception. | | | | who are underwater. SAR dogs have to be able |
| Dogs are used to assist in making arrests, detect | | | | to remain calm in many situations; they are often |
| drugs and other substances, find cadavers, and | | | | trained with helicopters and flown into disaster |
| track criminals. Other organizations use dogs for | | | | sites. They must also be in great shape because |
| search and rescue purposes. | | | | of the different terrain they must search. The |
| The term police dog often encompasses all the | | | | dogs are taught different search and rescue |
| tasks that a dog working for the police may | | | | techniques. Depending on the situation they can |
| complete. Police dogs or K9 Units undergo | | | | search off-lead. Off-lead searching is used when |
| extensive training with their human handler. Since | | | | there is a large area of ground to be covered, |
| they perform a variety of jobs (although some | | | | such as a field or apartment complex. On-lead |
| specialize), they must be well trained in handling | | | | searching is when the dog searches out a crime |
| people and substances. They also spend a lot of | | | | scene for specific items and clues. |
| time in public, so they must be well socialized while | | | | SAR dogs train their entire lives. As puppies, |
| keeping their guard up. | | | | obedience training begins. This is made possible |
| A police dog is normally trained to work with one | | | | with training tools like the dog tracking collars and |
| or two handlers; however, some can work with | | | | dog training collars. Specialty training also begins |
| multiple handlers. The handlers must be trained | | | | when the dogs are young. It takes anywhere |
| just as much as the dogs. They have to be able | | | | from 6 to 18 months to train the dog in working |
| to lead and interpret the canine. Police dogs often | | | | order; although training continues throughout the |
| perform normal police duties; they can chase and | | | | dog's service. They must keep perfecting their |
| hold a suspect until the officers arrive at the site. | | | | techniques and senses. The handlers must also |
| K9 Units are normally well trained in detecting | | | | train with the dog for long periods of time. In |
| illegal substances. Under a suspicious traffic | | | | essence, the dog and the handler must be able to |
| violation, a police dog may search the vehicle. In | | | | communicate. If the dog is not on a leash and |
| addition to drugs, the dogs are able to detect | | | | searches an area on his own, he must be able to |
| explosives. For this reason, K9 Units are often | | | | relay to the handler what he has found. In turn, |
| seen at airports and large public gatherings. | | | | the handler must be able to understand if he is |
| Dogs are also used to track. However, there is a | | | | supposed to continue the search or switch |
| difference in cadaver dogs and tracking dogs. | | | | directions. Handlers must also train on safety and |
| Tracking dogs can smell an item with a person's | | | | wilderness techniques. They must be able to |
| odor and track based on the odor. They are used | | | | navigate areas, demonstrate survival instinct, and |
| to located criminals and missing persons. Because | | | | remain on task for long periods of time. |
| of their heightened sense of smell, Bloodhounds | | | | Police and similar organizations know the value of |
| make great tracking dogs. Cadaver dogs can | | | | canine help. Dogs are used for a variety of police |
| track based on the odor of a decaying body. | | | | jobs. They help in making arrests, tracking missing |
| They are used when the missing person is | | | | people, finding cadavers, and detecting illegal |
| assumed dead. The same dog is often trained as | | | | substances. Search and rescue dogs are trained |
| both a tracking and cadaver dog. | | | | specifically for search and rescue but can take on |
| Search and rescue dogs (SAR) are similar to | | | | other police task. No matter what job the dog is |
| tracking dogs. Like tracking dogs, search and | | | | doing, you can bet both he and his handler have |
| rescue dogs can locate people based on scent; | | | | undergone extensive training. |