The Role of the Canine Handler Handler Qualification Ultimately, it would be beneficial for a potential canine handler to be experienced in SWAT or to be in a position of TL (team lead), for a SWAT-style arrangement. Why? Those with this type of background have applicable working experience and a clear understanding of the big picture of tactics and multi-tasking under pressure. […]
March2017 11th Edition/Newsletter (Canine Selection)
The testing process is pretty simple. Master the hunt selection and don’t get sucked into the vortex of the bite. I do not believe canine selection should be about how deep the bite is, how hard the bite is, how hard looking the canine is or how ‘beautiful’ the canine is. It’s about the hunt, […]
Certification Series/1.1
Series begins with standard Certification areas that in my opinion should be pulled due to the fact they mirror the Sport Dog mentality. They are the most unrealistic scenarios that a canine team would experience on the street. Not only are these areas difficult for trainers to train, but also for handlers to keep sustainment […]
Certification Series (Intro)
In no way am I bashing the pioneers of the working canine world. The industry has come a long way from where it started. That being said, the industry has plateaued. Case in Point: Certification. Most canine programs today train all year to certify. That concept works, only if certification mirrors real world concepts. Does […]
February2017 10th Edition/Newsletter (Way of the Decoy)
Newsletter – Way of the Decoy Decoy a person who entices or lures another person or thing, as into danger, a trap, or the like. It seems everyone involved becomes a trainer as soon as a canine evolution begins. Whatever your background or past experiences, if you are not on the business end, i.e. a […]
January/WK23 2017/Blog – Canine Tactical Gear Series (#9)
Last week I introduced the C-IFAK (Canine – Individual First Aid Kit). I recommend storing the C-IFAK with first line gear in a cargo pocket on the handler’s support side. The C-IFAK contents support serious canine injuries/illness when you are away from your vehicle and seconds count. For example – in a building, during a […]
January2017 9th Edition/Newsletter (E-Collar part 2/2)
Define Conflict – a fight, battle, or struggle, especially a prolonged struggle; strife. To this day I still feel that the only reason a handler needs to use an electric collar device is for the tone application (recall). Why? Because a canine should listen to the commands of its handler or support personnel (if applicable) […]
December/WK21 2016/Blog – Canine Tactical Gear Series (#8)
The one thing that was ingrained in our mind-set is that every operator should be able to do every other operators job all the way up to OIC level, which is the highest ranking operator on scene. I make this point because there were specific job titles in our unit; each team member had a […]
December/WK20 2016/Blog – Canine Tactical Gear Series (#7)
Canine Tactical Product: The Canine Ballistic Vest Most canine ballistic vests on the market are rated for human protection which is not practical for working canines. A police canine’s working environment involves close quarters with small arm causalities, i.e. small caliber, knife or blunt object, and mobility is crucial for survival. However, the vests are bulky, heavy […]
December/WK19 2016/Blog – Canine Tactical Gear Series (#6 actual)
Working canines are a valuable asset and need to be properly equipped for safety and function. It is important to understand when it comes to canine protective gear, more is not always better, what everybody else has is not always best, if it restricts mobility, speed or inhibits performance regardless of how tactically cool it […]