This article was written by Amber Vaughn. Amber leads our Working Dog Division at Highland Canine Training, LLC.
In this article, Amber outlines how important it is for Patrol Dogs to be properly trained by experienced decoys to avoid injury and maintain their efficiency.
Patrol K9s are dogs that are highly trained to safely apprehend suspects and protect their handlers. The training process for these dogs is very specialized, and due to the hazardous nature of the work, decoys utilize discipline specific safety equipment to protect themselves from injury.
The individual who is decoying – whether they are a department or a trainer – will implement bite sleeves, bite suits and hidden sleeves while working Patrol K9s to ensure that no physical harm befalls the person taking the bite. Although a great deal of thought occurs regarding the human involved, something which is not typically considered is the safety of the dog. In this article, we’ll look in more detail at why the quality of decoying can have a significant impact on the quality – and safety – of your Patrol K9’s training.
The dangers of bad decoying
One of the most common causes of injuries occurring in Patrol K9s is poor quality decoying. Patrol dogs move rapidly and will hit a decoy very hard while engaging for a bite. Improperly absorbing the impact can cause serious injury in the K9, including broken teeth, broken bones, and neck injuries. These injuries occur when an unprepared decoy does not have proficient enough timing, and absorbs the bite either when moving too fast (resulting in the only the dog’s front teeth engaging the bite), or moving too slowly (pushing the impact of the bite back into the dog).
Another common cause of injury in Patrol K9s are those occurring from an incorrect grip. It is the decoy’s job to teach a dog how to bite in the safest possible way, and inexperienced or poorly trained decoys may miss the moments when the dog’s grip needs to be corrected. K9s who are properly trained and worked will apprehend a decoy or suspect targeting specifically trained areas (usually a limb) and hold the suspect without pulling or moving around. The only motion a K9 should do after the bite has occurred is punch in further for a fuller bite. Not only does this ensure that the dog maintains control of the suspect or decoy, but it also minimizes their potential for injury.
When considering the safety of the Patrol K9, a solid, full grip will minimize the potential damage to their teeth that is frequently caused by weak grips or biting only with the front half of their mouth. Although there is a genetic component to a dog’s natural ability to bite with a full grip and hold still during the bite, proper training and maintenance is necessary to ensure that the dog continues to offer the correct behaviors. Decoys must understand how to identify when the dog is pushing into the grip rather than chewing or pulling away from it.
How to optimize your Patrol K9’s training
Within law enforcement units, it is very common for the newest handlers, or aspiring K9 handlers, to take on the job of catching the patrol K9s. While it can be useful to ensure that K9 handler prospects are willing to help out and will not fear the dogs once they’re in action, there is typically no consideration that every bite work session is also a learning session for the dog.
During these training sessions, dogs will either be learning the right things, or they will be learning the wrong things. Bite training sessions should be constructed specifically for the purpose of progressing a dog’s skillset, or at the very least, ensuring the safety of the dog.
Bearing this in mind, it is paramount for LE units to provide high-quality education for motivated individuals based around basic decoying skills and considerations. Most departments do not need a trainer skilled enough in decoying to train a Patrol K9 from start to finish; however, they should have at least one individual skilled enough to maintain or enhance the training which the K9 has already received. Put simply: a decoy can make or break a patrol dog.
Unfortunately, decoying is not a skill which can be learned by reading a book or by watching others train bite dogs. The best way to grow this skill set is through hands-on training. There are several options for attaining the knowledge necessary to proficiently decoy for bite dogs, including:
- Learning from an experienced bite dog trainer. These individuals have dedicated a great deal of time to learning their craft, and applying it to every step of the Patrol K9 training process. They can teach you a great deal about how to correctly decoy in such a way where the K9’s training is maximized while optimizing safety.
- Working with a protection sport dog trainer. Protection sport trainers typically put a great deal of work into their sport dogs from a very young age. They also focus on technique and the intricacies of developing an ideal bite, so they can be valuable individuals to learn from.
- Attend seminars. Seminars are a great place to learn decoying skills in a very focused and organized format. During seminars and conferences, you will have the opportunity to learn and practice working patrol dogs under the supervision of an experienced decoy.
In conclusion
Decoying is serious work, and can truly make or break a Patrol K9. For the safety of your dog and to reduce liability for your unit, is imperative to ensure that any individual taking bites during training sessions understands how to do their job properly.
Highland Canine Training regularly hosts seminars to enhance the capability of working dog teams – including on crucial topics like decoying. For more information, check out our Calendar for upcoming seminars.
