August2016 4th Edition/Newsletter (Handlers are not Trainers)


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HANDLERS ARE NOT TRAINERS

TEAM ASTROR ST8 DELTA

Definition of a Canine Handler – A person who has charge of a canine in a working capacity.

Definition of a Canine Trainer – A person who fosters the development of a canine to its fullest potential.

When a department/agency decides that they want to add a canine program, it is important they look beyond the training course. Usually, it takes 6-8 months of working with a new canine before new issue(s) with their canine may surface or problems masked by vendors worsen. Who are the handlers supposed to go to?

Handlers with experience in working one or multiple canines for the most part are experienced in sustainment training. Sustainment training is not consistent with understanding what a working canine should be in terms of its temperament or how that temperament evolves from a pup to an adult canine. The practice of kenneling adult canines with preferred working canine breeds collected from multiple mass breeders does not qualify anyone as a professional trainer.

A trainer is a person who has a record of real world experience in utilizing their canine as a handler and has extensive experience in training multiple canines from puppies to untrained to green dogs to fully trained working canines. I make this point because every canine is different.  Applying the same training concept with every canine sets a team up for failure.  A handler whose experience consists solely of working with already trained adult canines does not qualify the handler as a professional trainer.


“A good way to know if a handler has a true understanding on how to train working dogs is how they work and control their own dog.”


While in the Navy I traveled across the country and overseas for canine selections and trained with multiple law enforcement agencies.  Two common practices emerged: 1) police handlers were not taught problem-solving in their basic course; 2) they were never taught tactics or how to effectively and safely deploy canine in real life situations.

Bottom line is there is more to being a canine trainer than imprinting odor and handling already trained adult canines. Vender selection is important but equally important, who is the trainer? A professional trainer has the following attributes:

  • Working knowledge and understanding of canine behaviors from a pup to an adult canine.
  • The inherent ability to effectively communicate commands verbally & through body movements. during bite work, detection, tracking, etc…
  • A thorough understanding of why canines react as they do.
  • The ability to teach handlers how to implement their canine safety and effectively.
  • The working knowledge and expertise of implementing their canine in all levels of successful high risk deployments.
  • The resources to house and train canines through all stages of their growth is important for overall quality and effectiveness of the end product.
  • Provides customer service after the sale – is trainer available to you after the course?

Next Newsletter:  Military Dogs vs Police Dogs

CANINE TACTICAL OF IOWA NEWS UPDATE:

  • CUSTOM FIT BALLISTIC CANINE HARNESSES DESIGNED BY CANINE TACTICAL ARE AVAILABLE.
  • LOOK FOR CANINE TATICAL OF IOWA, ‘BOOTH 422‘ AT THE 2016 HITS, HELD IN DALLAS, TEXAS, 28TH, 29TH, 30TH AND 31ST 2016.
  • LOOK FOR CANINE TACTICAL OF IOWA, ‘BOOTH 8‘ AT THE 2016 K-9 COP CONFERENCE AND VENDOR SHOW, HELD IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, 14TH, 15TH, 16TH 2016.
  • AUGUST2016 SEMINAR

       Topic: TRACKING (UNKNOWN/COLD STARTS)

       Date:  19AUG2016

       Time0900 – 1700

       Seminar LocationCanine Tactical facility, Chariton, IA 50049

       Registration Fee$175.00 Per Handler (4 handler teams maximum)

Seminar will familiarize trainee with unknown starts. All tracks conducted will be                                                             unknown to  handler team and training will be concentrated on starts only.  Finding the track at the set point. 

       Email: joshuamorton@caninetactical.com for reservation.

 

 

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