My county just started working an 11 month old Malinois today. It is the countys first K-9 ever and they have an old military handler in charge.Is this not really young to be a patrol dog? I thought the dog should be a least 2, if not older. I just dont see a dog that young being able to fight when it counts.Am I wrong about this or could this dog get people hurt if sent into a situation?

Eric,
Being a former Military Police handeler, I have been training K9's in all aspects of training and by no means an expert but I'm not afraid to ask for help or advice from a slew of experts in all fields of training I saw a few Mals coming out of Lackland I though were to imature! and I see a few of our State Police have produced (NOT IMPRESSED) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> I thought they should have waited at least another 6 months or so or not put on the street at all do to poor training "But" that's Admin higher up calling the shots <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> I agree with you your partner needs to mature hell he's just starting to grow up. You put to much on him to fast and to hard he will shut down on you <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> . These are the months were solid training needs to be formulated.Take it slow! Constently test him in each step of the way a good foundation will prevent the Building from falling down, LOL <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> and bring you home safe each night. Let your trainer take his time and I bet you wil have an awsome street dog.If you don't think something in training is correct or to fast tell your trainer or get a 2nd opinion from another police agency (K9) hell he's your partner for many years to come. Use Ed's tapes have your agency purchase all of Ed's Police Service tapes have them put them on a purchase order, that's what I did. The tapes are excellent for training as well as problem solving. I have been getting Ed's tapes for years and I have trained 7 of my own dogs (pet and service dogs) with them as well as attending training with clubs and police agencies from all over the state. You and your trainer will know when your partner is ready! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
This is only my opinion not actually seeing the dog! AND DON'T LET! Administrators dictate when your partner is ready you both want to come home after each shift <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> just because they have their own agendas. Hell most admins. never worked a K9 or know anything about them!
Be safe out there!

Special Agent
Lewis Fronk and Argo
Fugitive Recovery Div.
Upstate New York

What does working mean? On the street? Pups will not develope the mature drives necessary to do real bite work until they are at least into the 18 month range. Mals mature faster than some, but not that fast.

If they are just starting training then it is ok, that is a good age to begin to work a dog. Of course the training has to be good.

Narcotics dogs shouldn't even be that young on the street. The pressures of work and different situations will make the nerve and training come apart.

I wonder what time Sheldahl gets up?

From what I've seen on TV and seen on the board, I've never heard of them being put out until there two years of age, and that may be the minimum if I'm not mistaken.

Vancamp,Brad
Thank you for addressing the issue of being to young for the street yet. I agree it's a good age for training to get more serious and constant.
Anyway Everyone be safe I have to go out and run a track.

Lewis and Argo

This dog was put on the street full time as a dual purpose dog on July 22. Altough I am not an expert I thought this was a little too young and expressed my opinion. Unfortunately the handler of this dog has been a K-9 handler for 14 years and pretty much told me to get lost. I think with our meth problem in rural Illinois that a K-9 is a very valuable tool, and since this is my county's first I dont want to see it fail. Rex is 11 months trained in handler protection, 5 kinds of drugs, tracking.I think it a shame and it makes it understandable why some K-9 programs fail, as I dont think this one will ever succeed. By the way the handler was a military dog handler for 14 years.

This handler is asking for himself or someone else to get hurt. There is no pup that I know of at that age that can work the street in a safe manner.

This is a law-suit just waiting to happen. It also puts others in danger when dealing with patrol duties, as the handler has no clue as to what should be expected of a dog, and therefore cannot explain to fellow officers what the dog can do. He is mis-leading everyone. For someone to depend on this animal; it is a big mistake. I am sure that there is also a civil rights issue here as well. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I have yet to see any dog be street worthy at such a young age. I agree that it's a problem waiting to happen. There are plenty of problems in the LEO world of K-9 and this is perhaps one of them. Many times "the person in charge" has little idea of what is right or wrong when it comes to the handlers/dogs. I wouldn't expect much of anything from a 11mth old dog except to act like a pup and do some general fun obedience.

Unfortunately this is not an uncommon problem. I know one Dept who despite warnings has a 13 month old Patrol/Bomb Mal....yep the dog was in training for two whole months and then put out on the street to work as both a patrol(with tracking) and bomb work...all done in just two short months, but the dog came with a one week handler course...ohhh ahhhh....as much as it makes me sick, and despite warnings to many of the people involved, the dog is still out there.

In short, there's NEVER been IMO a year old dog I have EVER seen ready to work the road. It's like asking a 8 year old child to do police work. An accident for all involved waiting to happen.

As an outsider here I would agree that a dog needs a childhood like most species. 11 mos. is very young IMHO. As an administrator who has worked the street with dogs, and have spec'd out k9 candidates for grants and purchase, I would be curious who spec'd the requirements to place that dog in training. I would also believe that a quality trainer would not accept such a young candidate. IMHO, B2B and always be worthy of your dog. Dr. L.