Matt is absolutely right, I have seen some great PD K9's that were washouts from Lackland. Certainly not with all, but there is some training issues, that Law Enforcement agencies with good trainers are able to alot of times quickly fix and have an outstanding dog working the street. IMO a washout from Lackland is certainly not grounds for retiring the dog to petdome automatically (of course case by case).

In regards to the malinois puppy program, the puppies are given out to people to raise until the age of 7 months. Their main job is to socialize them and allow them to experience the world. If the puppy does not end up making the program, the people that raised the puppy are asked if they would like to have the dog. If they are not interested, then it is allowed to be adopted out. This only applies to the puppies. They are also spayed/neutered prior to being given away.

Chris is right on the last post. Some of the adult dogs that end up not making the program end up becoming very good dogs for PD's. It's amazing what a difference you would see in a dog that gets a lot of one on one attention living at a person's house compared to a dog that spends it's life in a kennel with 600 other barking dogs. Some dogs might look at that like we look at prison.

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the puppies are given out to people to raise until the age of 7 months. Their main job is to socialize them and allow them to experience the world.

How do I volunteer to do that? I socialize the heck out of my dogs. they go everywhere with me, parks, school, restruants etc. I have three kids so my house and furniture is already destroyed.

They only take volunteers from the San Antonio area due to the fact that the pups are required to come in for vaccinations and bi-monthly evaluations. If you live in the SA area or know of someone that does and is interested, let me know and I will get you the necessary info and #'s.

I always wanted and excuse to move to Texas <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Now I'll just have to sell the wife on the idea <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Dogs that wash out of the main program (ie dual purpose) are looked at for some of our or TSA's other programs first. If they are not exceptable for that then our board determines if Police departments can benefit from that dog or if adoption is possible. Those that don't meet any of those criteria are euthanized (and honestly we don't euthanize many dogs in year). Some have training and some don't. A monthly board convenes to determine what will happen with washouts with our Commander or representative having final say. We do not sell dogs, they are given freely to PDs, agencies, or individuals. Those seeking out these dogs come to Lackland to see the dog and evaluate. Two of the washouts I worked are working for nearby PDs and have done very well. Keep in mind that every trainer working here at the DoD Dog Center works about 3 dogs each and for about 120 training days. We are an assembly line to provide product for our customers (DoD in general). The receiving military installations take our base product and turn them into highly trained dogs of war that are in extremley high demand by not only the war zone, but by Secret Service, special events like the Olympics, and local communities.

Tim.....does Leo Castro still work in the K-9 program for the Air Force at Lackland? Thanks

David,

The name doesn't ring a bell.....Sorry

Did anyone by chance record this program:

K9 Boot Camp, K9 Patrol - The Best Of The Best

if possible would luv a copy...

 Quote: Ed Holroyd

Did anyone by chance record this program:

K9 Boot Camp, K9 Patrol - The Best Of The Best

if possible would luv a copy...