I frequently take my two GSDs to a large park that is very popular with dog owners. In the past few months I have gotten to know a man that claims he is raising the German import pup with him for the DEA. Is this how the DEA handles recruitment for their dogs? Do they foster dogs with private citizens? This man claims to take the dog to their training facility monthly for an appraisal and to see if he will make the cut to be taken into the DEA and be further trained by their experts. It all sounded a bit fishy, but I know nothing about such matters and other organizations do foster dogs in this way. Another problem I had with the dog is that he really has no prey drive, is low in the butt and is a tad cow hocked. He is a very pretty red and black that looks more show dog than working dog. Also, he has no papers for him. Just wondered if you folks out there know more that I do.

Can't speak for the DEA but Guide Dogs do have puppy raisers who keep a pup for 12-18 months, beginning at 8 weeks, after which they are returned for evaluation and further training.

Naida, what area exactly are you in and I'll give you a Phone number you can call and ask.I'll PM you that number, but tell me exactly the area you are in.
Angelique

The DEA does not have a puppy or even a dedicated dog program that I am aware of. This man may be trying to raise a dog for an agent but there is no national DEA program. The dog does not sound like it will make the cut anyway.

Thanks Ed. I appreciate your input.

Naida,
I pm you the DEA L>A field division number. DEA by the way (from this guys description) does not opperate like that. Telling you fibbs most likely, stay clear of him.

Thanks Angelique, both you and Ed backed up my gut feeling that this person, for whatever reason, was blowing smoke. He was totally clueless regarding any training and acted spooky when I suggested he find a club to train with in the LA area. This dog has never even had basic OB and I when I asked him if this was the DEA way to bring up a young dog he just changed the subject. Says he's a lawyer. I wonder about that too.

 Quote: Naida Simpson

Says he's a lawyer. I wonder about that too.

Heck, that's the only part of his story that makes sense

The DEA really has no dog program. There are individual handlers from local agencies that are assigned to various task force type entities throughout the US.
They have no "facility" and the aquisition of dogs and their training is pretty much left up to the local agencies that work with them.
Certainly they have no foster type program.
But, many unscrupulous people make claims about their training and facilities that are just not true.
One example I have seen is a individual that had DEA Registration as a researcher to possess substances under the drug control act claimed to be a "certified DEA training facility".
Trying such things works for a little while on the uninformed but among professionals it is a sure sign of a shady deal.

The federal government is fragmented in its dog programs. The ATF has its own facility at Front Royal Virginia, but not the DEA. Normally, the DEA relies on local officers for K9 support when needed, but there is an effort to put more dogs out with various agencies thru the K9 program at Auburn University...and the Border Patrol is beginning to get on board with their own programs.

The 341st Training Squadron at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas does have a puppy program with adoptive families raising the animals for the first 7 seven months with a monthly or bi-monthly appraisal of the animal during those seven months. They are then brought back to Lackland where they are kenneled and trained in obedience until selection for various programs within the US Military...MWD's. If an animal cannot work into a program due to many factors, he's then put up for adoption. (On average about 54% enter into the MWD program.) But, by overwhelming numbers, most MWD's are purchased in Europe and sent to Lackland where they then go thru the selection process.
K7