So how do you train the dog to ignore commands from other people?

Like any type of training I'm sure that there is more than one way to do it. Typically we have a handler get his dog out while we're just standing around talking which is probably more than we should. The dog is on the live ring on lead and given the sit command by his handler. One of us will begin to give commands. At first they will not have the force of commands but eventually they will. If the dog begins to obey the purson the handler will give a leash correction and verbally reinforce the sit command followed by verbal praise. The commands from the second party will become more forceful and handler will do his part to ensure that they are ignored and the correct behavior is rewarded.

Obviously there are many different types of scenarios that you can use to do this but you can kind of get the idea from the example.

Thanks Howard
This is the kind of thing I have been doing but didn't really know if I was right. It has seemed to work.

I trained my dog the same way Howard illustrated. It didn’t take more than a few corrections for him to understand the “ignore game”. Occasionally we will reinforce it in training.

Occasionally you get a knuckle head who thinks he’s funny by yelling a command at your dog. It is embarrassing and can be quite dangerous depending on the situation.

Yes, we treat commands from "bystanders" like any other distraction. In addition to commands, don't forget to proof other people kind of distractions, like people eating, dropping, offering food; playing interesting games; recalling a (safe)dog past your dog, etc.

Phone call... Hope this makes sense

We train about 12-15 new Police K9's a year. They are imports from various countries (Czech. Republic , Germany , Holland , Russia , etc. )

The majority are retrained to English commands with no problems. Mainly because that's what we have been doing for years when we use to train donated dogs. We allow the handlers ,since most are from other police departments to descide what language they want to use. This is usually only an issue with officers who have had previous K9's and trained them in another language. They only choose to do this because they feel that is the language they are most likely to revert to in a heated situation on the street to command there dog ,since they have been using those commands for so long. The last handler I saw do this actually retrained a Czech K9 to German commands for that reason. The K9 picked up the new commands with no problem.

We do an obed. routine alot like Matt and Howard describe . It's mainly an added form of distraction for the dog. Many dogs initially listen to the obediance commands from the others but soon learn not to.

On the flip side we also have had decoys or others try to give commands to our dogs when doing street scenerios and bitework(out, down, sit , etc.) and I haven't seen a K9 yet listen to those commands. When they're that far in drive usually the only 1 they listen to is the handler.

Just my opinion but I think most K9's if you got them in a calm environment would listen to others obed. commands(not recommended though)with their handler around . Because there is nothing else going on that might threaten them or be some sort of payoff(reward)to them and they have learn by following those commands they usually get rewarded in some way.

But put them in a real life situation like protection work , search , etc. and they are operating at a differant level.

That was 1 of the main questions I was asked at several police recruit classes I taught. I showed them how I gave the commands during Obed. and bitework . At the end of the class the recruits had the choice of taking a bite from my K9 (on-lead ,scratch pants and barrel sleeve to avoid any accidents). Several recruits volunteered to take a bite,tried giving commands to my dog and had no luck getting my dog to listen to them.

The fact that a K9 would listen to someone else when there's not much else going on wouldn't concern me that much. I would discourage and correct it though. I would however be very concerned if he did so during moments when he's in a higher drive and try to work in that area more to keep it from happening.

There has to be key words set for the dog..by handler/trainer/or PD.The word/or sounding of a word does not have to be..in any exact language.But usage of the word/s can only be with those that the officer trusts..in training..or keeping his partner sharp.The four legged one.lol............I commend them as they are so overlooked by most