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The loyal dog would stand guard over his master and stand alert whenever it detects a potential threat. The formal institution of dogs into security and policing activities was first recorded in the fifteenth century. This was later on expanded in the 1900's when purebred dog organizations formally introduced the dog as a viable member of the law enforcement community.
Germany, England and Belgium were the first countries to successfully adapt the police dog program and even managed to gain prestige for it.
In the United States today, the police K9 is seen as a valuable asset to law enforcement. The performance of dogs in police duty has so far been excellent. Some police dog training facilities invite civilians to their grounds whenever a class of police dogs is set to graduate from training school. The ceremony includes socialization with the general public immediately followed by a demonstration of skills. The demonstration showcases the dog's ability to pursue a criminal and hold the criminal in place.
What is amazing about this is that these dogs were docile and playful with their audience while they were socializing. To see them turn into the professionals they were trained to be with a single command is really astonishing. The socializing brings confidence to the public that these trained units will not run amok and suddenly attack everyone on sight. The demonstration of prowess is set to prove to the community that the dogs are very capable of doing police work.
Statistics research will show that only 3 out of 20 dogs will qualify for police training. This demonstrates the amount of inherent intelligence that is required from a candidate trainee. Trainers even agree when they say that 3 out of 20 dogs have the intelligence and ability to complete police dog training successfully.
Accepted candidates will begin the program with comprehensive training on basic obedience. If and when the dog passes this first portion of the program, the dog will then graduate to formal police training.
Police dogs are trained to enhance their physical prowess. They must learn how to climb ladders, jump through windows, and walk on ledges. The dog is also taught the discipline of concentration so that they can perform their assigned tasks without getting distracted. Once a K9 learns to instantly obey its handler and passes its physical skills and concentration tests, the dogs are then taught the methods of police work.
On command, a dog will deliberately attack a target with one hundred percent commitment. A dog is also taught to instantly stop an attack with a single gesture or word. In the event that a target should stop running, the dog by itself will stop attacking and will instead stand guard over its target until a police officer slaps the hand cuffs on.
Police officers commonly encounter perpetrators who will attack them to prevent their arrest or because of fear and sheer panic. A police dog that sees the attack will automatically join in and help the police officer to subdue the criminal.
In some cases, police dogs are said to be more effective than the ordinary police officer. In a foot chase, criminals are more likely to stop running if confronted with a dog rather than a police officer who shouts "Stop or I'll shoot!" Aside from this, dogs will heed the command to heel unlike a bullet which will keep on flying until it hits something.
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