K-9Training 101, Part 2

K-9 TRAINING 1O1, PART 2

By Richard E. “Rick” Dennis
Freelance Author and Journalist
March 26, 2024
© 2024 All Rights Reserved

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

As a Certified Police K-9 training Instructor, I used less than 5 pieces of training equipment to train a class of students and the service animals. The two most important pieces of training equipment are: One (1) a heavy-duty leather training leash, approximately six (6) to eight (8) feet in length, with a heavy-duty brass snap swivel on one end and a loop on the other end large enough to fit you hand through. The leather leash is manufactured with two-inch, double sided, heavy-duty harness leather. The brass snap swivel and the hand loop are fastened to each end of the leather leash with brass rivets. Heavy-duty brass rivets are used for strength, durability, and longevity, and:

Two (2), a pre-sized heavy-duty training choke chain, of sufficient size, to fit around the K-9’s neck comfortably. The size of the choke chain is dependent on the breed of the K-9 being trained and the size of the K-9’s neck. Since all of our K-9’s was German Shepherd’s, we always kept an ample supply of different size choke chains in our inventory.

The third (3rd) item, in our training equipment selection, is a short three (3) foot walking leash constructed of the same material as the primary training leash hereinabove. This short walking leash is issued to each officer, on graduation day, at the end of training. The shorter version was used to transport the K-9 from the holding area to the square car or while walking the animal. The primary use of the walking leash is for the officer to transport the K-9 from the kennel to his or her cruiser and vice versa at the beginning and end of each shift of duty.

TRAINING EQUIPMENT PURPOSE

The six (6) to eight (8) foot training leash is a multi-faceted piece of training equipment, is the most versatile. During training, this leash will be used to teach the K-9 the basic commands: Heel, sit, stay, come, and down.

The heavy-duty training choke chain is used to train the K-9 using the psychological training philosophy of the renowned psychologist, BF Skinner. Dr. Skinner developed the behavioral concept: Operant conditioning, sometimes called instrumental conditioning or conditioning, is a method of learning that uses rewards and punishment to modify behavior. Through operant conditioning, behavior that is rewarded is likely to be repeated, while behavior that is punished is prone to happen less or more specifically, “Conditioned Response.”

This same concept can be used to teach humans as well as animals, whether that animal is a horse, cat, or dog, etc.

As previously stated, the three (3) foot walking leash is used to transport the Police K-9 from the housing area to the police cruiser and back to the housing area at the beginning and end of each tour of duty. The primary purpose of this short leash is for the handler to maintain absolute control of the animal at all times as an added safety precaution. The same can be said of the civilian K-9 owner who's walking down the street with their pet, or the animal is being transported to a location for a specific purpose, e.g., the Veterinarian.

Until Next Time, Keep Em Between the Bridle!