My dog is one that doesnt know how to relax. And our dog didn't know how to get excited!

I exaggerate.

I can imagine it'd be a big difference.

Steven, Point taken.

Maggie, Sounds like you have Garcia, what a bummer. Working 7 straight sounds terrible. 5 is bad enough.

Howard

Howard-I worked for years in Executive protection and high level estate security. I've done 16 hours on a regualr basis. It is hard on the dogs period. Being out on foot patrol is easier beleive it or not than staring out of a car window for 16 hours. Also I never had dogs who after a while would not lay down...your dog might run out of fuel. Mental letdown is bigger than body fatique for the first couple days in my experience. Plus I always thought that my dog could feel my fatique and his condition directly reflected my own. Take plenty of water with you and some snacks for the dog. I beleive that a dog needs the same amount of rest as he just worked. I worked many 16 hour shifts and only got 8-10 hours off. By the time you get home shower, eat etc you have about 6 hours to sleep then head back. After about 4 days like this my dog would sleep for 12 hours straight...no food, no water or bathroom breaks...just crash. I think in a PD's case it puts the officer and dog in more danger and I believe it may shorter the working life of the K9(maybe the man too) Derek

Derek,
Thanks for the reply. Hopefully we wont have to do too many 16 hour days. Thats a long time to be anywhere for work, much less on your feet. The only time my dog lays down is when I am parked for more than a half hour or so, which isnt too often. Normally when he starts to relax, we are on our way again. He is 6 1/2 now and I figured he would start slowing down a bit but that still isnt the case.
If you worked 16 on a regular basis, I guess 12s arent a big a deal as I thought they would be. Thanks

Howard

Now were not changing the schedule, staying on the 12's. :rolleyes: Howard, if you ever go on 12's plan on staying there!

Steven, please check your PM's.

Howard-16's are real tough and in high threat situations which is basically all I worked your nerves start to go bad..I mean you start to worry about not being alert so you get jumpy and twitchy. 12's aren't real cool either its a long time to be on basically full alert. It was real tough but and dangerous but I was making alot more than a civil servant wage at the time and in my mind I knew I wouldn't be doing it for 30 years either. I hope for the sake of you guys/gals and your K9 partners you can stay at 10's. Either way stay safe and if you hit days when its 14-16 hours try extra hard to pet your dog and offer treats etc. I don't train with food except for tracking but I feel especially in hot weather meat snacks and cold water keep your dog happier and working better. Also make a big effort to support your dog and not get angry at him. I myself caught myself yelling at my dog on beat up nerves because I heard something and he didn't react or someone approached his inspection of them was less than vigorous. After 14-16 hours after about 4 days in a row it gets hard. I would get burned out, nervous etc..too much coffee or Vivarin back in those days and hot and humid and tempers get short. I had to realize my dog was in the same boat as me and extra love kept him working better. I doubt this is an option for cops but I did what alot of hardworking cowboys to.......get a couple horses. Alternate workdays. I had a 6 year old finished dog and a 21/2 year old waiting in the wings. I would work 2 days with the older dog and 1 with the young dog. Having the younger dog fresh made up for his lack of experience...plus his energy kept me up beat too. Or anytime I had a short shift 10 hours or so I gave the job to the younger dog. Maybe you K9 cops need a backup dog? Derek

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My dog is one that doesnt know how to relax. He is constantly pacing in the kennel and huffs like a train all the time like he is wore out even before we get started. Most times he doesnt even want to eat till the following day he's so worked up.

I hate to do the old post thing, but was just reading and noticed something I could possibly offer a simple solution to. I have a friend who is a K9 officer in Louisiana, and his dog was the same way. Thats why the 12hr shifts they did would kick the dogs a$$, because he didn't learn to relax. He simply use to make the dog sit in the car (with A/C of course) on off days, he would feed him sometimes in the car. Also, he would exercise him, and and after the dog did some cool down, he put him in the car to rest. so the dog would de-condition a little from associating the car with work. He said his dog learned to settle down, while still knowing the car meant work. A dog that only works out of the car finds the car stressful and can't relax. This worked for his dog, and he said he was much more refreshed when they got calls, than before. I also, seen this addressed at a Teus seminar I went to with a k9 department in attendance (a few civilians and a K9department).

Hello to all, I have worked a 12 hour shift 3 on 3 off for the last 17 years. I am a printer not a law enforsement officer. I love the hours. I wanted to say to all of you that I have the utmost respect for all of you. You all talk of switching days to nights, several days on some off and no consistansy. You all go out and risk your lives daily and make half the money I do to print adds so people can spend their money. Something is wrong (well alot is wrong) in this world today. Sorry for being so long but my wife and I pray for all you and will continue to support you anyway we can

Mitch and Paula Kuta
kutanhead1@aOL

Thanks, as an officer I know there are many out there that support what we do. It's still good to hear it.

DFrost

Ditto <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Chris, Thats an idea. I will have to give it a try. Thanks for the reply

Howard