Breed Selection

• Police dogs must perform a variety of services and display impeccable behavior, meaning that not every dog can be a police dog. Because training begins where they are young, it is imperative to choose a puppy, usually a German shepherd, Labrador retriever, Boxer, Belgian Malinois, Bloodhound, Beagle, Rottweiler or Springer Spaniel, that is from a reputable breeder. On top of this, you must monitor the puppy for up to 6 months to evaluate its behavior and demeanor. Puppies that are generally obedient and calm make the best police dogs.
  
  

Obedience Training

• Every puppy must master obedience training before it can be considered for police dog work. Obedience training should consist of the standard commands, including how to sit, stay, lie down, wait, fetch, release, bark on command, stop barking on command, eat on command and stop eating on command. The same person should handle the dog day in and day out when it comes to training, as this is how the dogs are handled on the police force. Behavior modification lessons may also be needed from time to time to address any issues the dog may have, such as incessant barking, biting or jumping. These lessons usually focus on keeping the puppy's behavior in check, thus preventing it from elevating its excitement to a stage at which it may misbehave.
  
  

Police Training

• Public citizens who are not certified K-9 trainers cannot provide dogs to a police force. Therefore, it's not recommended that an individual try to train his dog to perform the same commands that a certifiably trained police dog would. In fact, this can be dangerous, as police dogs are trained to attack perpetrators and oftentimes injure and even kill the suspects doing their duties. Instead, it is recommended that a dog from a proper breed that displays a calm demeanor, keen listening ability and proper obedience training be enrolled in a training center. Facilities include the U.S. K-9 Academy and Police Dog Training Center, Work Dogs International and Tarheel Canine Training. These centers provide training-intensive lessons that focus on basic obedience training, as well as how to search for illegal substances and perpetrators in a home, how to handle an unwanted intruder, and how to bite and release on command. Note that many of these training facilities are licensed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).