When a police dog aids in a drug bust or helps to locate a missing person, the dog’s talent and skill for what they do is often praised, but the truth of the matter is that the dog’s trainer is equally deserving of praise. Just like professionals in any field need to train and gain experience to succeed, the same is true of professional K-9 dogs, and the influence of an excellent trainer cannot be understated. When it comes to training dogs, especially dogs who will eventually serve as police dogs, the trainer is just as important as the dog itself.
The Huffington Post recently reported that two rescue pit bulls – a breed not often associated with police service – have joined North Carolina’s Clay County Sheriff’s Office as police dogs. K-9s Sarah and Phantom joined the sheriff’s office with the help of a grant from the Animal Farm Foundation of New York and Universal K9 of San Antonio, Texas. The dogs will be trained in drug detection and are expected to become valued members of the force.
The addition of the two pits to the sheriff’s office shows us two things. First, the past of a dog – just like a person – doesn’t have to dictate their future. These rescue dogs are being given a second chance at life, and will be trained to be a part of a family of law enforcement professionals. The fact that they are pit bulls shows us a second trait – that breed doesn’t always matter. While some breeds may be more commonly trained or associated with certain responsibilities (like how everyone thinks of Dalmatians at firehouses, for instance), any dog that works with a talented trainer can become a successful dog – and that comes down to a talented and knowledgeable dog training expert.
If you’re interested in becoming a trainer of police dogs, you can take our Police K9 Instructor Course here at Dog Trainer College. This course will teach you everything you need to know to become an expert police dog trainer. Our course focuses on learning the behaviors needed in effective police dogs, as well as lessons in tactical training, training with equipment and more. Our course uses real-life examples and experiences and gives you hands-on training with dogs so that you can see exactly how different training approaches and methods work when instructing a dog in new skills and talents. Upon completion of our course, you’ll be certified as a trainer and ready to hit the ground running with training active police dogs on your own.
Our next semester starts in July, and now’s the time to start thinking about your future career with the help of the courses at Dog Trainer College. Complete an application online now to get started or call us today at 812-650-2394 for more information.
