TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

1. Dog Handlers train Police Service Dogs in accordance with a training philosophy.

2. This session will prepare the students to train a Police Service Dog in all the profiles utilizing certain philosophies that have been tried and proven. The students must understand and appreciate these philosophies in order to get the best out of the dog.

3. The lecture developmental discussion method of instruction will be used and will cover:

(a) Training to a need

police orientated
support service
student centered education
individual attention to trainee
multi-purpose training
one handler one dog concept

(b) Bond between handler and dog

genuine liking for the dog
dog displays affection for the handler
takes time
importance
working dog not a pet
characteristics of the dog

(c) Needs of the dog

food
shelter
self esteem
love and affection
praise

(d) Dog Behavior

moods
temperament
illness
instinct
conditioned response
confusion
inherent behaviour
taught behaviour
copy behaviour
animal scent and the animal world

3. (e) Communication handler to dog

voice (commands)
hands (signals)
gestures (body movement)
enthusiasm

(f) Communication dog to handler

tones of bark
indications of scent
human
animal
gestures
eyes
ears
tail wag
nose
enthusiasm
persistence
reluctance
reading the dog

(g) Praise Reward Method

when to praise
how much praise
genuine praise

(h) Positive reinforcement

as opposed to negative reinforcement
don't let the dog make a mistake
thinking quickly
advantages

(i) Conditioning - Progression

showing the dog what is required
repetition
beware of too much too fast
meeting objectives
progressing within the Level system

(j) Consistency, repetition and anticipation

commands
timing
quick thinking
the dog is a creature of habit

(k) Patience and understanding

temper and what it can do
looking at things from a dog's perspective
avoiding confusion
identifying problems quickly

3. (1) Compulsion

when used
why it is used
how much is used

4. At the end of this session, each candidate will be able to state verbally or in writing:

(A) The importance of the bond between handler and dog.

(B) Describe the factors that determine a dog’s behavior.

(C) Three ways handlers communicate with the dog and vice versa.

(D) The “praise reward” method of training in a police service dog.

(E) Positive and negative reinforcement.

(F) The “conditioning process” required in training a dog.

(G) Why consistency and anticipation are important.

(H) The importance of patience and understanding.

(I) When, why and how much compulsion is used.