A working dog – Training
Aside from breed, another way to classify dogs is through their jobs. You could say that a working dog is a canine that simply does more than hang out, play tricks, and be cute and cuddly all day. Some dogs have 9 to 5 jobs just like humans.
Types:
There are many types of working dogs. Some of the different job titles are:
-Service dogs that help people with visual or hearing disabilities to perform daily tasks
-Rescue and/or search canines to help find disaster victims and rescue them when necessary
-Therapy dogs visit the sick in hospitals and in their homes bringing joy to the patient
-Sleds are used primarily for sporting events on snowy terrain, but occasionally help transport people and supplies.
-Help grazing in the control of cattle and sheep.
-Police or K-9 dogs are actual members of the police force that protect and serve the community
races
Not all are made to become working dogs. Poodles are not employed to work for the police, but they make excellent lap dogs. Chihuahuas are definitely not made to be used on sleds. There are certain breeds that are instinctively or genetically programmed to perform tasks both with ease and with some level of satisfaction.
Hunting, for example, popular breeds that go hunting are Hounds, Terriers, Retrievers, Setters, and Pointers. The following are breeds used by police: Bloodhound, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Rottweiler, and Belgian Malinois. Therapy dogs are a mix of different breeds.
working dog training
However, it is not enough that the canine is part of a long line of, say, hunting hounds. Working dogs still need to be trained to be effective at their jobs. Depending on the type of work they do, training for both the puppy and the handler can be long and exhausting. This is especially evident in the case of canines that are used to sniff out bombs, mines, and controlled substances. These dogs have to put in long hours of training. But in the end, it’s all worth it for the K-9, both for the handler and the person receiving the canine’s service.
Socialization
The training of each pup should be tailored to the breed, as well as the type of work the canine is expected to perform. Part of his basic training is socialization. Working dogs need to be comfortable with other people, other animals, and their environment. You can’t have a dog that barks at every single K-9, cat, or child it sees. Even if his job will not require him to be around humans and other types of distractions, this dog is expected to be calm in different situations. Puppies that will be performing a job function should be exposed to their future jobs as soon as possible. This is to familiarize them with the environment at a young age.
obedience training
Another basic training that working canines need is obedience training. These pups have to know how to follow commands. During obedience training, complete trust and mutual respect is formed between the K-9 and his handler.
Different training techniques are used during obedience training. Some of these techniques are: collar and leash training, clicker training, positive reinforcement, reward training, and even dog whispering. Obedience training requires a lot of work, so it’s important that it’s fun for the puppy.
Proper obedience training will turn any canine into a confident, relaxed and happy dog. Obedient dogs love to please their owners and handlers, making it easy for them to be trained to do their jobs.
Job Specific Training
Since there are many different types of working dogs, there are also various types of skills that each one must master. For example, service dogs that help the visually impaired are taught to open and close doors, light switches, cabinets, and drawers, to fetch various objects, such as pill bottles or medicines, and to walk their owners. safely through busy streets. Hunting and herding dogs usually learn on the job because from an early age they accompany their owners everywhere. They instinctively perform their duties with the aim of pleasing their masters. Training them is not as rigorous as training military dogs.
Police dogs are trained to attack and subdue criminal elements, sniff out narcotics and other prohibited substances, as well as perform patrol, search and recovery duties. Dogs selected to work side by side with law enforcement officers undergo rigorous training. The number of man-hours spent training a single dog is high. It is also expensive for the department. However, once trained, the service these dogs provide is priceless.
Whatever the level and amount of training a dog needs to qualify as a working dog, what is important is the bond that is formed between the dog and its trainer, handler or owner. It is this bond that will foster mutual trust and respect between the two of you and, in turn, will make it easier for the dog to be trained to do his job well.
It’s truly amazing what working dogs can do. They protect humans and property, make life easier for people with medical disabilities, and bring joy and comfort to sick people. This does not happen overnight. After initial training, some working dogs have to be constantly trained and retrained depending on the jobs they perform. Working dogs are hardworking, loyal canines that will risk their lives without question. They are just amazing!
