Prepared by: E Distel & J Siegford Veterinary Pet Insurance Animal Welfare Judging Competition November, 2010
Patrolling, officer protection, narcotics detection Assumed to be working whenever harness is on Trained to assistant the blind in getting to and from a destination safely Assumed to be working whenever she is wearing her harness Baltimore Sun/Monica Lopossay When-Is-Now
German Shepherd (male, neutered) 4 years old 25 tall Owned by a male police officer of 25 years. 18 years of service have been with a K9 unit. Yellow Labrador Retriever (female, spayed) 6 years old 22 tall Owned by a blind woman in her mid 30 s. This is her 2 nd guide dog. Sydney Morning Herald Veterinary Pet Insurance
Lives in a house, ~1700 ft 2 (~158 m 2 ) Fenced in 1 acre yard Lives with a family of 4 The officer, his wife and 2 kids aged 8 and 10 1 other dog (retired). Female German Shepherd, spayed. Works in a mid-size city police office in Virginia Lives in an apartment on the first floor, ~1000 ft 2 (~93 m 2 ) No yard, dog friendly park across the street Lives with owner and her husband No other pets or kids Lives in a large city in Oregon
The dog was raised by an overseas police dog breeder until 18 months 10 breeding females, 3 breeding males, and several litters of pups Lived with a foster family from weaning (7 weeks) to 12 months 1 pet dog, 2 kids, 1 stay-at-home adult The breeder socialized the dog and began training* *Housebreaking, basic obedience, and manners ACE K9 Family was responsible for socializing the dog, training*, and providing exposure to a wide range of stimuli NASA
At 18 months, the trainer for the K9 unit interested in the dog assessed his temperament. He passed the assessment. Confident, not fearful or skittish Able to focus At 12 months, the dog was returned to the guide dog organization and passed the temperament assessment. Calm and alert Not aggressive Able to focus and ignore distraction Desensitized to surroundings Sensitive to slight corrections No car sickness
Medical exams determined that the dog was fit for K9 work. Orthopedic exam Eye exam Stress tests She passed medical and physical exam criteria. Orthopedic exam Eye exam Stress tests 20-26 inches (51-66 cm) max height with weight in direct proportion to height Minimal scars, proper bite and no missing teeth
K9 trainer worked with the dog on job-specific tasks, agility, and endurance 18-21 months of age The officer receiving the dog worked with K9 trainer and dog 21-30 months The dog became an active K9 officer at 30 months All advanced training was conducted by the guide dog organization 12-17 months of age The person receiving the dog worked with the dog and trainers on-site 17-18 months The dog was placed with her owner at 18 months
This dual-purpose police dog was trained to provide protection as well as to detect narcotics. Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and punishment are used depending on task being taught. Food rewards are never used. For narcotics, the dog was taught to associate the smell of a drug with a favorite toy. The dog learned works to find the drugs to receive the toy. Associative learning (i.e., stimulus-response conditioning) is very important to police work. ACE K9 ACE K9
Advanced training included learning tasks such as avoiding obstacles, assessing traffic, and finding sidewalks. Positive reinforcement and repetition under a wide range of conditions. Clicker training Pattern training Food and verbal praise as rewards Guide Dogs Victoria
While a K9 officer, the dog will have a scheduled training day 1x/week. The officer often takes the dog out for short sessions during work days, time permitting. ACE K9 They occasionally participate in training conferences or camps with other K9 units.
The guide dog receives no formal on-going training. Once she is placed it is assumed she will not need further training. The owner occasionally practices commands that are used infrequently.
0500: wake up, go out, eat breakfast 0730: report to station 0745-0930: conduct drug sweeps at 2 local high schools 0945: report back to station 1000-1800: dog accompanies officer on traffic checks, security stops, etc; transportation in an SUV with special dog compartment in rear 1800-1900: run w/ officer 1900: home 2100: fed dinner 2200pm: bedtime This is the schedule 3 days/week One day a week there is a training day The dog and officer work every other weekend ACE K9
0630: wake up, go out, eat breakfast 0800: go to bus stop 0815-0900: ride commuter bus downtown 0900-1230: owner is at work, occasional meetings and coffee breaks throughout building 1230-1315: leave building, walk to lunch, busy streets 1315-1700: return to work 1700-1745: bus ride home 1800-1830: fed dinner 1830-2030: occasional errands or walk 2200: Bedtime
Police Dog Guide Dog Active Work 15% 38% Inactive Work 37% 20% Eat & Drink 10% 12% Play 11% 10% Rest 14% 12% Other 13% 8% 100% 100% Police Dog 13% 15% 14% 11% 37% 10% Guide Dog 8% 12% 38% 10% 12% 20%
Allowed toys when not working Rubber Kong, puzzle toys, and balls Toys are rotated/replaced regularly Meals are sometimes fed using puzzle toy The older children play with the dog most days using the toys The officer takes the dog for a 30-60 min run each evening Allowed toys when not working Nylabone, chew ropes, and frisbee Dog is trained to keep toys on a small rug to avoid pathway hazards for owner Husband occasionally plays fetch with the dog in the park Husband takes the dog to the dog park 2x/week
Receives attention from the officer and his family Mostly petting in addition to care routine Officers at the station interact with the dog when not on patrol When working, the dog is not allowed to receive attention from the public or officers Dog grooms and lays with the other dog in the house, but they do not play together Receives attention from the owner and her husband Petting, playing, and care routine Little to no social contact with other people or dogs When working, the dog does not socialize with any person other than owner
Fed dry food 3 h before and 2 h after work Water available ad libitum when at home Water intake is limited when on patrol No food provided when working Occasional treats in the evening Dry food and water available ad libitum at home Owner carries collapsible dish during the day and regularly offers dog water Treats regularly given in the evenings Rawhide chews given 1-2x/ day
Has a body condition score of 2.5 on a 5 point scale Has a body condition score of 3.5 on a 5 point scale 1 2 3 4 5
Neutered at 6 months of age Vaccinations given by vet: Canine parvovirus, Canine distemper, Canine adenovirus, Bordetella, Rabies, Lyme disease, Leptospirosis & Coronavirus Heartworm + internal parasite preventative given year round Topical flea treatment applied monthly Check ups 2x/year Fecal sample analyzed at each Blood panel 1x/year Spayed at 4 weeks of age Vaccinations given by vet: Canine parvovirus, Canine distemper, Canine adenovirus, & Rabies Heartworm preventative given March October Flea bath given if needed Check up 1x/year with fecal analysis and blood panel
Bathed monthly Coat brushed daily Teeth brushed 4x/week No dental problems Nails clipped 1x/month with guillotine-type clipper Bathed as needed Coat brushed every other week or as needed Teeth cleaned at vet appt Has had 1 tooth extracted Nails trimmed 1x/month with rotating nail grinder Peticure
He is calm when bathed and during brushing of coat and teeth During nail clipping his muscles tense, his tail tucks, he tries to withdraw his paw, he pants, & his paws are sweaty German Shepherd Rescue Dog is very calm during all grooming situations Relaxed eyes and mouth, sometimes rolls to back
Physiological Response to Nail Clipping Saliva Cortisol (nmol/litre) 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0-30 -15 0 15 30 45 60 Police Dog Guide Dog Time (min)
At ~8 years of age the dog will be retired from active service. He will remain in the officer s house and do some public relations work. The officer will begin training a new working dog when this dog retires. Between 10-12 years of age the dog will be retired from guide work. The dog will be placed in a new home rather than kept with owner. The dog will be returned to the training center, then placed in an adoption program.