Hello everyone. This is my first post to the board. I recently became my departments newest handler and will be reviewing the posts made on this board daily (Where better to get the best advice and info) I guess my first question would be...I have done some past Schutzhund training with GSDs, am I wrong into compare any of the training I will be getting to Schutzhund? I mean I have been told to erase any thing I have in my mind about Schutzhund because training Police K-9 is a completely different ball game. Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated.

I guess my first question would be...I have done some past Schutzhund training with GSDs, am I wrong into compare any of the training I will be getting to Schutzhund? I mean I have been told to erase any thing I have in my mind about Schutzhund because training Police K-9 is a completely different ball game. Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Don't erase everything that you know about the dogs. Do be open minded about the training you are receiving and try not to equate schh with police work. There are many styles of police work and all do not coincide with the techniques used in training for schutzhund. Yet, what you know as a powerful and energetic schutzhund dog would also be a police dog. There are many schh dogs that would not work as police dogs and make fun sport dogs. There are some police dogs that would make poor performers on the sport field but do a nice job in law enforcement.
There are also some instructors whose experiences with sport dogs are small and therefore often prejudiced, and there are many sport people whose impressions of police dogs are poor due to limited exposure to quality police dog instructors. this often creates a lot of friction between the camps that is unnecessary and detrimental to both groups in our community. Just be aware that this situation exists and don't get caught in the trap of one camp is right therefore the other must be wrong.
Good luck in your new endeavor....rookie<vbg>

I've been a police canine instructor for more years that I care to think about. (I say that only cause it reminds me how old I am). Mr Sheldahl's advice to you is right on. I've met many fine dog trainers for both sport and police work, I have yet to meet the one that knows it all. Each canine trainer I meet is an opportunity to learn something new. Some I agree with, some i don't, but none-the-less the opportunity to learn is there. I was once told, when I was a rookie trainer: think of every technique someone tells you about as a ring of keys. Collect those keys, you may never need one to open a lock need opened, but if you do, you may just have it. Good luck in your canine adventure. After 34 years (damn I hate to say that) I still get excited at watching a dog develop into a working partner.

DCFrost

Thanks for the advice. I just want to do the right thing. I am so worried about doing something wrong and screwing the dog up. My trainer will be a rookie trainer and I am getting the 2 year old GSD from a prior handler who to be honest wasn't a pro active officer. So I kinda have the butterflies and am very anxious to get started. I have been doing as you suggest and listening to everyone's input and attempting to sort out the people who know what they're talking about and others who are just....vocal. Thanks for your reply.

Welcome to the board.

"attempting to sort out the people who know what they're talking about"

Getting advise from Kevin is a great start.

K-9Boss,

Another thing to keep in mind is that training is dog and trainer specific. Not every trainer can use the same techniques, and a technique that worked great with your last dog won't work at all. One thing I have found is that if it doesn't sound right it probably isn't, and don't become so married to a technique that you won't change it if it doesn't work.

K-9 Boss wrote: Thanks for the advice. I just want to do the right thing. I am so worried about doing something wrong and screwing the dog up.

LC: Take a deep breath and relax. You’re going to make lots of mistakes unless you’re different from the rest of us. But you probably won’t do anything so bad it can’t be fixed.

K9 Boss;
Keep your eyes, ears and mind open, and your mouth mostly shut, and you will learn something from everyone you come in contact with. I don't think any of us could improve on the advice you have already received from Kevin, DFrost or Lou.

I will add this, though; Police Canine is...day in and day out...the most dangerous job in Law Enforcement. When the bad guy bails, you will be at the front of the line, and he won't be shooting paint balls.

Take your training seriously...and be careful.

Thanks again for all the advice. One thing kind of worrying me is the fact that this dog has been trained and worked with another handler (Patrol, Narcotics). I have heard not to worry because since he is a younger gog (2yrs), it won't be that hard for him to adjust to me. Is this true? I would imagine this is going to be fairly hard for the dog to do, especially with an officer new to a Canine Unit.