Just something I was talking about with my friend. She said the dogs are supposed to be able to evaluate a threat and decide for themselves in case the handler can't give the command.

To me this doesn't sound right, how can they decide? Even people can't make good decisions most of the time.

But at the same time, what does a dog do if the handler is attacked and can't give a command?

I looked online and it seems like they need a command and cops had problems with dogs reacting on their own.

So if a cop is down a dog shouldn't do anything without a command?

Most police these days cannot use their dogs to apprehend a criminal unless it is a felony crime, due to new laws & past too-frequent possible so-called unnecessary deadly force bites & law suits.(at least in my area).

There dogs usually work from a command by their handler so as not to 'attack' the wrong person, or act on their own. Way too many problems with a dog that makes decisions on his own in an situation of high stress & excitement.

Their are some PPDs that are trained on command & also to assess a threat & act accordingly if their handler is attacked.

But this is not the usual. This is more in a 3rd world situation where there is much greater overall constant threat to the handler.

Lol and less suing.

This might explain it though. Is Russia a third world for this example lol?
We are both from Russia but she has most of her dog experience from there and said she saw training where a person makes it look like they're attacking and the dog has to bite, no command

I've read of a k9 guarding a down officer so effectively that they could not get to him to render aid without taking out the k9 so as with humans, dogs will differ and do some of both likely.

I've only been exposed to PPDs for a couple of years, but the ones I've helped with definitely react if their handler is attacked, without a command. Some will attack/bite on command, but all go for the attacker if he makes a move on the handler. It's part of the training. Even sport dogs are taught to react if the handler is assaulted.

While police units have more liability than in the past and their training is starting to reflect it, there are still some dogs out there that were just trained to be wrecking balls. My TD has one. If the handler goes down, the dog is a menace to anyone around. Occasionally, you'll hear about one in the news that had to be put down by his own department when his handler was injured. Israeli police (and possibly some other old world European forces) don't teach their dogs to out. The dogs are taught to attack when released, and will fight until physically pulled out.

Depending on a dangerous K9 to properly assess a threat is a risky proposition, at best. Police dogs are not handled that way. The handler makes the decisions, not the dog, as long as the handler is physicaly able.

 Quote: Kristin Muntz

I've read of a k9 guarding a down officer so effectively that they could not get to him to render aid without taking out the k9 so as with humans, dogs will differ and do some of both likely.

This is sad. Couldn't they have knocked him out with drugs instead?
Killing for loyalty seems mean

Duane, so it IS part of the training then?

Yeah, seems dangerous to rely on the dog to make the decision to attack.
I guess she was right in some way.


I read Ed's articles where he says the pack leader decides who to attack, that's where this discussion came from

This is the article I was thinking of.
http://www.redeyechicago.com/news/crime/wxin-k9-officer-killed-by-friendly-fire-during-pendleton-shootout-20120727,0,7267843.column

The officers aren't going to have tranquilizer guns on them at any given time, unfortunately it wouldn't be a viable option in a real life scenario.

I know and I understand they're not thinking about the dog when the officer is down. Just sad that this is the way it is.

Even if they could've done something different their first priority is the officer so they won't take the time to look for solutions. I get it and I'm not judging.

It seems like there is always some sort of k9 issue going on..
Dogs that shouldn't be working, are thrown into the worst situation possible for that unique dog.
It seems back in time the dogs were less high drive, and more brain. The training was different. The dogs were more "cautious" .And now in 2013 its bite hard now, asses the situation later.
Also seems like there's more demand for working dogs nowadays too.
Dogs that are unsteady are thrown out there to work with any handler.
I have heard of handlers having to shoot their own dogs.
Then again maybe its all in my brain because of past experiences, and things i have heard. I'm not a k9 handler.