Training

When police officers go through the training process with their canines, they go through a complete class. There are many different ways to do these training classes across the nation. In Vermont specifically, the dog and their handler will go to class together and learn as a team. Dave Dewey, a canine handler for the Colchester, Vermont Police Department, mentioned that they can buy a vendor dog. A vendor dog allows for a handler to go in for minimal training time while the dog's breeder raises and trains the dog more intensely. When the training is complete the handler is then able to certify with the dog. Dewey said, “but that is kind of like a 16 year old getting a brand new Porsche and expecting him to be a great driver at the end of the two weeks. It just doesn’t work that way.” Vermont’s canine handlers typically training for drug, protection, and explosives at their police academy. The training is 6 weeks long at the end of the summer. This coming summer, Dewey will go away with his third canine, Ozzy, for the patrol side which consists of tracking, building searches, bite work, and recovery.

 

Dogs enjoy the training process because they are rewarded every time they perform their job properly. When the dogs detect the drugs, they receive their award--play time with their toy. At first, it is important to expose the dog to the odor and then teach them to alert to that odor. Alerting the handler could either consist of sitting or barking next to where they found that particular odor. In the bottom left video, you can see Joe Battaglia, a Fire Marshal in Nassau County, NY, and his dog, Pilot. As soon as Pilot smells the odor he sits down and is given his food reward. This is important to do first in the process because handlers want their canine to understand they must use their nose, find a particular odor, and then alert that odor to their handler in order to receive their reward. Once the canine discovers the odor and alerts their owner, the training becomes a little more challenging. By the end of the six weeks these dogs are able to scent almost everything, from anywhere, given a little bit of guidance.

 

What most people don’t know is the process of becoming a canine handler, especially in the police force, is extremely competitive. This position is a commitment lasting the length of their dog's lifetime, where as other special assignments, like detective work, are only a 3-5 year commitment. Some agencies will require their handlers to do a physical therapy test with running, push-ups, sit ups, bench pressing and then an oral report interview. These tests are important because it proves the handler would have the ability and stamina to keep up with their dog and pick up their dog if necessary in a particular situation.When it comes to training the officer to become a handler, there is a head trainer that teaches them how to work with their dog. With drug work, there is a lot of case logging that goes into search and seizure, which the handler needs to complete. There are also a lot of legal precedents that the handler needs to be aware of for the canine's rights and safety.