We deal mostly in Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds. We are occasionally able to locate quality German Shepherds that pass our selection tests, though they do tend to usually run a bit more expensive. Our patrol dogs are generally titled, European imports with at least two years of training. We train them for an additional twelve weeks, teaching them building searches and tracking. We also work them in many different scenarios, exposing them to as many situations as possible, which they may actually encounter on the street. The dogs are trained with the use of a body suit, hidden sleeve and muzzle. We also teach tactical entries into buildings, as well as outside when apporoaching someone known to be in a place of hiding. We train the dogs to be quiet while a K-9 warning is being given, so as to be able to hear what is happening inside a building and in case someone wishes to give up. We then teach the dog to bark on command so that there is no doubt as to the dog's presence. During the course the handler will be shown how to begin neutralization to gunfire for his safety and the safety of other officers should there be an exhange of gunfire.

In the narcotic dog, the dog having passed our preliminary selection tests are first put through a two week period of marijuana scent association and development of an aggressive alert, while we are further evaluating his drives. We prefer the aggressive alert as we feel the dogs learn to better pinpoint the source of odor and it is not as easy for an inexperienced handler to pull the dog out of the scent cone as with a passive alert dog. Your handler will be taught to read the dog's indication through his change of breathing and body posture in addition to the actual scratch indication. In training, the scratch is a release for the dog and is fun. However, by learning to read the dog, the handler is able to see the alert prior to the actual scratch and pull the dog back when scratching is not desired (as in a real search situation).

Once the dog has mastered the scent association and alert he is then taught search patterns. When the search patterns are mastered, other substances are introduced. The dogs are worked in different buildings and on a variety of types of vehicles, such as various styles of sedans, a school bus, a livestock trailer, a tractor-trailer and a camper. They are also taken to the highway to be worked around traffic.

Once the dog has completed his training, the handler will go through an intensive handler's course (three weeks minimum) with his new partner. Any capable handler desiring extra time will be given that time at no extra charge. We will help the Department in the selection of their handler and will keep them posted as to his progress and suitability.

After the handler's course, the sale includes ten days of follow up training within the first year after the sale of the dog. This may be used as the handler sees fit (once a week, once a month, or one or two weeks at a time). The only restrictions are that it may not be used during a seminar or for the transfer training of the dog from one handler to another.

Course Outlines: Patrol Dog Training, Narcotic Detection Training

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