How to Become a Police Dog Handler

The dog handlers have a demanding role andthat they are even capable of detecting bodies
work with the dogs on a daily basis to ensurethat are under water.
they are training to the highest level possible toProper care must be taken when undertaking
help solve crime. When a handler arrives at thepolice dog training so that the dog can offer
scene he will always be accompanied by his dog.complete assistance to an officer during an
The police dogs are taught to provide assistanceinvestigation. The same level of care should taken
to officers in criminal situations. These dogs arewhen training police handlers.
often referred by the term K9, which sounds likeIt should be taken into consideration that the
the canine, a word that is generally referred tofunctioning of dogs is different to that of human
the dog and its relatives.behavior. Therefore, it becomes necessary that
Due to their uniqueness, these dogs are takenthe dog handler is professionally trained in
special care and are kept in specifically built dogunderstanding all the behaviors of the police
houses. In many countries the killing of a policeservice dogs in various circumstances.
dog is considered a very serious crime andA Dog handler is a special police officer who is in
anyone found guilty of this will be harshly punished.charge of the training and handling of well trained
In some places the injuring of a service dog ifpolice dogs. The level of training and certification
often regarded as being on the same level asfor police dog handlers and police dogs should
injuring a police officer.constantly evolve several challenges and has
Furthermore, a police service dog killed while onbecome more progressive as well. There are
duty is traditionally given a full police funeral orvarious institutes which impart training of police
burial, similar to that for a police officer. Some ofdog handlers.
the functions performed by police service dogsA person in this institute has to go through both
are as follows:theoretical as well as practical training. Seminars,
1. Police order enforcement dogtrainings and certifications are being offered
In this case these dogs are used to enforce publicthrough the American Police Dog Tactics which is
order by chasing and holding suspects, or detainingusually open to any law enforcement, military as
suspects.well as search and rescue units. Apart from
2. Trackinghandling the police dogs the living standard of
It is referred to locating of suspects or findingthese police dog handlers is even taken into
missing persons and objects.consideration.
3. Detecting illicit objectsBecoming a dog handler for the police does have
Thee dogs are used to detect illicit substancesany specific education requirement, but they must
such as drugs or explosives which may be carriedbe a current serving police officer. An
by a person.apprenticeship under a current serving dog handler
4. Cadaver dogsis then undertaken to develop the required skills
These dogs are trained in detecting the odor ofto become a professional handelr.
decomposing bodies. Dog's noses are so sensitive