Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Injured police dogs

35 replies

Rhinestone · 10/08/2011 02:46

My blood is boiling at the reports that 5 police dogs have been injured in the riots. I think anyone convicted of injuring a police dog should face a mandatory 10 year jail sentence.

Can we start an MN 'doghouse' campaign?

OP posts:

emptyshell · 10/08/2011 18:02

Ephiny - my uncle was a police dog handler. While the dogs DO attack and do their job on command (he once was playing the villain in one of their public demonstrations, bite sleeve on and everything and still ended up with a broken arm from falling arkwardly when they brought him to the ground), they are absolutely wonderful, well-trained, obedient creatures until they're told to get to work. I used to play with his GSD as a kid - no aggression and the last dog in the world you'd be scared of.

Ephiny · 10/08/2011 18:21

I'm sure they are lovely dogs, and I know lots of ex-police dogs live happily in family homes (I'd willingly have one myself). But the fact is that they are trained to bite when required (whether you call this aggression or not is debatable, but it certainly is biting) and I don't see how it can be morally right to train a dog to bite then try to have him killed for biting. So he made a mistake and bit the wrong person - he's only a dog and we as humans sometimes fail to communicate to them exactly what they should and should not do. That's not the dog's fault or something he deserves to die for.

They must need to be able to show a certain aggression when needed though. I noticed a link to this on the BBC - police dog 'failed' his training for being too 'nice'. They don't say, but that's a Rottie cross if I ever saw one! Doesn't surprise me at all if he's a bit of a softie :)

CoffeeIsMyFriend · 10/08/2011 18:30

This is one of the very few times when DBF and I are going to have to agree to disagree.

Working GSDs are a fabulous asset to the Police, Military and Prison Service to name but a few. And I am priviledged to own 2 such dogs. I also am friends with the breeder and they are amazingly good. Both qualified dog trainers amongst other qualifications.

Agree with joolyjoo Times have changed and training methods are much more positive reward than what it used to be, which I agree was awful.

I also know police officers who have working dogs and they treat them like part of the family and once retired they remain at home or if not able to be kept are rehomed to suitable people.

DogsBestFriend · 10/08/2011 18:33

I can't see either of my 2 Sheps being of any value to the security forces even if I were in agreement with the concept, Coffee! :o

CoffeeIsMyFriend · 10/08/2011 18:49

lol dogs my boy as you know is a muppet little bit special. My girlie on the other hand is born to work and I sometimes feel bad that she is a 'pet' and not working as she should. That said, she does do a bit and as she gets older will do some more. Whether that is agility, obedience, shutzhund...

She adores my DH and son, yes she loves me, but you can just see the absolute adoration when DH comes in from work or walks past her.

One good example I have to mind is my friend who took an ex prison service dog after he retired at 5. (He was too big for cell work) He came to them and was an absolute nutter. They worked hard with him and now at the grand old age of nearly 12 he is a pussycat. I adore him and he adores me. He is docile, smart, and to see him you would never ever guess that he used to be 'hard'. He doesnt even woof when someone comes to the door - I walk into the house and have to rouse him to go for a wee when I am on dog pee duty during the week! 7 years ago he would have pinned me to a corner ate me and guarded me until someone released him. The change is amazing. Not for the faint hearted taking an ex working dog, infact anyone who does needs to be a trainer or similar. You can only desensitise them so much from a learned behaviour. And he was ball trained - even now he will hold the ball and the only way to get it out is to have some food at the ready.

CoffeeIsMyFriend · 10/08/2011 18:51

you will all have to excuse my wonky posting at the moment - have blocked ears and am a dizzy loon on meds. Totally not coherent.

Tchootnika · 11/08/2011 16:07

Jooly - I'd like to have agreed with you about working dogs...
But your saying most/many/usually is really disconcerting.
Why not all?
As DBF has asked? What about the others? Were you able to do anything about this?

Joolyjoolyjoo · 11/08/2011 16:41

To be honest, ALL the dogs I have treated or worked with were treated well, and looked after well. I guess I used "most" and "usually" because I am aware there could well be other instances I wasn't aware of, or wasn't personally involved with, like the dogs that died in the hot car which was unforgiveable.

And many are retired to their handlers, but this is not always feasible (similar to retired guide dogs) The point I was trying to make is that most (if not all!) handlers see their dogs as more than just a tool for their job, and want them to be part of their family when they retire. others may want to similarly adopt them, but may not be in a position to do so, eg have other previously adopted dogs/ unsuitable accomodation etc etc.

My experience with all working dogs is that they really enjoy working in the "job" they are trained and bred for. Some working breeds can actually get pretty fed up if they are not allowed to work. GSDs are smart dogs- too smart to be bullied into working if they didn't want to. the dogs I met were never cowed or fearful, or even particularly aggressive- just very smart, alert, watchful and reactive.

Tchootnika · 11/08/2011 22:08

Thank you for replying, Jooly .
I definitely agree re. working breeds needing things to do, and glad to hear your experience of handlers was all good,

Ephiny · 15/08/2011 15:10

Just to update - I noticed in the news that Obi, the dog with the serious head injury, survived and seems to be making a good recovery.

All eight dogs in the unit injured though. Sounds to me like they shouldn't have been there at all, hopefully this will be a lesson for the future about which situations are appropriate to use the dog units.

Flip

1 2