Cross Breeds

Is it possible to have my german shepherd puppy trained like a police dog?

My husband really wants to have our 3 month old german shepherd puppy trained like a police dog, whether it be now or later. Does anyone know if this is possible and if so, where we can take her?

Public Comments

1. is your husband a police man? Police Patrol dog training, dog trainers. Work Dogs International offers the nation's most extensive curricula for dog training including updates, review and complete certification for police dog training and obedience training. WDI dog trainers receive a bedrock foundation for obedience training to build toward canine police procedure and/or home protection duty. Certified WDI police K9 dog trainers graduate with dog school training expertise as well as practical field savvy in the domestic and international scene.
2. Police dogs are dangerous, even to their own handlers. Before they are assigned a handler, that handler has to undergo training, so that they know how to handle the dog. There are many reasons why not all policemen are assigned canines, and why the public shouldn't be able to get their hands on them. I'd suggest you start with basic obedience school, before you even think of training the dog to have such capabilities as a police dog. Then, maybe you'd like to volunteer her for search and rescue work. She'll be specially trained to help people. Or, if you want more time with her than that, maybe volunteer her as a therapy dog, visiting hospitals and letting people pet her.
3. Is you husband a police officer, or other type of government employee requiring canine assistance? Because if not, I don't see why it would be neccessary. Police dogs are good with their handlers, and with their handlers ONLY. I work in close proximity with them, and they are extremely weary of any other people unless very closely associated with them. That being said, it would be a pretty bad idea to have company, you know what I mean? It's possible, but it's also possible that the training could go badly and someone innocent could get attacked. I've seen it happen. Also, if the dog is not being worked every day, the training is pointless and the dog gets a lot of pent up energy that ends up being released in ways you probably don't want (ie horribly disfigured furniture) Anyway, long story short, it's possible but not highly recommended unless it would be put to daily use. I don't know where you live so I can't really tell you where to take the classes, but google Shutzhund and go from there. There might be prerequisite classes listed or something.
4. First, let me say that K9 trained dog is a huge responsibility as well as a liability. A lot of whether it's possible depends on the dog you got. If you spent thousands of dollars on a quality dog, it may have the drive and temperment for this. If you bought a pet store dog, or a backyard breeder puppy, it is very unlikely that your dog has the ability to do this. If it is possible, they call it Schutzhund, and it takes about five years investment, and hard work every day training your dog. You should start with puppy classes now. After you've been through puppy class, first and second level obedience then find a reputable Schutzhund trainer in your area and start those classes. There are professionals who will protection train your dog for you, but not attack train it. There are very few people who have strong enough communication with their dog to manage an attack dog.
5. Yes, it is possible; however, it must be done with a dog of very STABLE temperment. Not every dog is suitable and trustworthy enough to withstand the stresses of this type of training. At 3 months of age, this puppy should be started on regular basic training and socialization (see: http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/after-you-get-your-puppy) to start your puppy off properly. Take your puppy to Obedience Classes in your area (Kindergarten and Beginners Classes). Your puppy should first learn to be friendly and obedient. You can also get involved with a puppy Agility Class. In another 3-6 months you can then investigate Schutzhund or French Ring Sport Classes. Look for Schutzhund Instructors who train the dogs as if it were a game with "on" and "off" words and who aren't extremely mean or harsh to the animals. When taught in this manner it is the OWNER not the DOG who is in control of what is going on and when. The DOG is not allowed to make independent decisions -- it is following its master's commands. Technically, your puppy shouldn't be forced to jump over things until its about 2 years old and after it has had it's hips x-rayed for soundness but it can start on the Ring Sport Obedience and Tracking before then. The Schutzhund Instructors will evaluate your dog's temperment and ability for this type of skillset. Like I said, the people who do this PROPERLY are NOT cruel to the animals!!! I have known Policemen with G.S. K-9 Unit Police Dogs who took their dogs to work and then brought them home to be with the family (including younger children) and no one was every injured. Your husband must become a strong and fair packleader -- otherwise a poorly tempermented and trained dog with an unrespected packleader is like a loaded gun in the hands of a 3 year old!!! Wishing you much success!!!
6. For what reason does your husband want a pet dog to be trained like a police dog all police dogs and their handlers have to have a license from the Home Office which is renewed every year after being tested to ensure they are up to the correct standard.Your husband should start off by doing the puppy and good obedience coarse for the puppy and build up to the Bronze, silver, Gold and then on to the BH then if he is still interested to put the work and time into it go for Schutzhund dog training by finding a club that deal with this high level of working GSD training which will train the dog up to a standard very similar to a police dog.It is a lot of work and you need to be dedicated to this type of training and it does not stop your husband would need to keep up the training regularly to maintain this level of training from the dog.
7. can i ask why you would want to train your german shepherd to be a police dog!? i think you should look into doing some obedience, german shepherds are extremely smart dogs and love to excel. you should look into k9 sports, like agility and obedience for when your shepherd is older. not only would this be more fun but it would also allow you and your dog to bond.