NCJ Number
99909
Date Published
1985
Length
47 pages
Annotation
This children's book discusses the use of dogs in law enforcement throughout history, the breeds suitable for such work, and training methods.
Abstract
The opening chapter portrays the interaction between two police dogs and their handlers as one corners a burglary suspect and protects his handler from a knife attack and as the other searches out a bomb planted on an airplane. The second chapter briefly traces how dogs have been used in law enforcement from the 13th century up through the 1970's. A chapter then reviews the general requirements for a police dog and the particular requirements of a detector dog. Characteristics of German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, and golden retrievers which make them suitable for various types of police work are reviewed. The chapter on training methods opens with an explanation of the value of dogs in police work, followed by a review of types of training programs. Handlers, dog selection, basic training, and rewards and corrections are also discussed. Descriptions of specific types of training address obedience, agility, attack, tracking, building search, and protection of the handler under gunfire. The discussion of advanced training focuses on the detection of narcotics and explosives. Inservice training, the benefits, and the costs of police dogs are considered in the concluding chapter. A glossary is provided.