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WASHINGTON (DC) METROPOLITAN POLICE - DEPARTMENT TRAINING DIVISION - CANINE TRAINING SECTION, REVISED JANUARY 1980

NCJ Number
66848
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1980
Length
67 pages
Annotation
INSTRUCTIONS FOR KEEPING AND HANDLING POLICE DOGS, CANINE TRAITS, SPECIAL POLICE USE OF DOGS, AND MEDICAL INFORMATION ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
WHETHER OR NOT A POLICE DEPARTMENT NEEDS POLICE DOGS DEPENDS ON THE TYPES OF CRIME IT FACES. MOST USEFUL IN AREAS WHERE MUGGINGS, RAPES, AND BURGLARIES ABOUND, DOGS SHOULD BE ASSIGNED WITH POLICEMEN TO THE HIGHEST CRIME AREAS DURING PEAK HOURS. DOGS CAN BE EASILY TRAINED, AND ARE HIGHLY USEFUL FOR THEIR SENSE OF SMELL, IN CROWD CONTROL, POLICE OFFICER PROTECTION, OR TRACKING CRIMINALS AND LOST PERSONS. TRAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR DOG HANDLERS COVER USE OF THE LEAD, INSTILLING OBEDIENCE, CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD DOG HANDLER, AND TEACHING AND USING WORDS OF COMMAND. A MEDICAL SECTION DISCUSSES GROOMING, INSPECTION, THE DOG'S BODY FUNCTIONS, HEALTHY AND SICK APPEARANCES, AND COMMON DOG DISEASES AND PARASITES. ANATOMICAL CHARTS ARE PROVIDED. AGILITY TRAINING IS DISCUSSED, AND THE GENERAL ADVICE IS GIVEN ON TRACKING AND THE SPECIAL USE OF DOGS IN DETECTING EXPLOSIVES AND NARCOTICS. FINALLY, A STUDY OF THE USES OF DOGS IN 240 POLICE DEPARTMENTS REVEALS THAT 130 DEPARTMENTS IN THE U.S. NOW USE THEM. INSTRUCTIONS AND TABLES ARE INCLUDED.