Police Department Needs HELP

What kind of personality are you looking for in the dog?

I like a dog that shows no fear, is standoffish with new people.  I would prefer a dog stand back and park than walk up with his tail wagging.  I need a dog that has loads of drive, but is capable of being laid back.  A great test is to charge an (adult) dog clanging some metal bowls together.  Gage the dogs reaction.  Does he back up and bark, does he cower, does he charge you...

What are some questions I should ask a rescue or person if they have a Shepherd that could possibly be what you're looking for?

How does this dog act with strangers?  Has it shown any fear?  If so, of what?  Has the dog demonstrated any handler aggression?  How strong is the dogs ball drive?  How strong is the dogs tug drive?  How does he act with other dogs?  Evaluating dogs is VERY hard.  I will have to speak with the current owner and normally visit the dog. 

Is there a size requirement? I'm guessing a decent 55 pounds and up...?

Size is way down the list of importance.  Lighter dogs can normally work longer, and offer almost as much power.  Males are typically better for work than females.

Is there an age you need? 1 yr.. 2yr... At what age are they too old to start training for police work? Are you looking for a young pup?

Age is irrelevant as long is the dog is under 4 years old.  Also, we can't have any hip or other related problems.
 
Hope this helps.

I am still waiting to hear back from the rescues.  For folks wanting to get dogs in homes they sure take there sweet @ss time.

I wondered if you'd gotten any replies...it's gotta be frustrating.
 

ORIGINAL: mrgmfoster

I am still waiting to hear back from the rescues.  For folks wanting to get dogs in homes they sure take there sweet @ss time.

Some of them sure do. Someone I know is trying to adopt a dog, and contacted a few rescues that had dogs they were interested in listed on Petfinder. This was on over the weekend. As of Wednesday, they had not received a reply from any of them. I understand they do have two kids, but they're almost 8 and 10, not toddlers, and the mother stays at home, have a big yard they're going to put a fence around. In your case, first, the dog would be well cared for for life. Second, you want to give it a job, and a very important one at that. Maybe it is just me, but I would think that a rescue would find it great that you want to do this with one of their dogs. I also think it could be some great publicity for that particular rescue, in terms of getting their name out, and getting some donations to the rescue if the dog worked out, but maybe i'm just crazy, or i'm just totally disillusioned by rescues at the moment due to their inability to even respond to people, even if just to say no.

I am sympathetic to the fact that most are run by volunteers, but what's the point of volunteering if they aren't getting the animals placed.  Atleast drop me a line saying we will be back to you later or something...
 
I don't get it...

ORIGINAL: mrgmfoster

I am sympathetic to the fact that most are run by volunteers, but what's the point of volunteering if they aren't getting the animals placed.  Atleast drop me a line saying we will be back to you later or something...

I don't get it...

That's exactly how I feel about it. The point is so that dogs get homes. I know it must be nice to foster a dog, or to rescue it, but doesn't it feel even nicer (those of you who are active in fostering and rescue can answer me if you like) to know that the dog you saved is going to a good home?

Hey mic, someone else posted something about some young male GSD's that need a good home. You might want to check it out.http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=11211&mpage=1&key=⯋

hey, I hope you'll find the right dog!!
maybe you could go to some clubs that practice training with police dogs (I don't know how the system works in your country but where I live (netherlands) we have KNPV clubs with people who train dogs for sport or for police and the chance of finding a dog who's good for the job is much bigger I think?
(even then it is difficult to find the right dog for police work I've seen dogs who bite on training but won't do a thing in the real situation.)
Or try to find a dog with a good background: at least IPO, Schutzhund or KNPV bloodlines (but I presume u know that  )

good luck !!

Did I miss anything here?  I had to search for this thread and then haven't seen anything on how the meeting with Rose went... 

Schleide, this is what Mic said about his visit with Rose,,,,

ORIGINAL: mrgmfoster

Thanks so much.  I did get your donation, and I really appreciate it.  The delay was only because I have to accept it as Canadian or US cash. 

So I spent the day with Rose today....

She is so sweet, and absolutely beautiful!  Unfortunately, she doesn't have the sharpness to work as a patrol dog.  She is just to soft.  She could be a great bomb or narc dog, but I just can afford to spend the resources training one dog for scent and the other for patrol.  I have to get a dog that is dual purpose. 

So...everyone please keep your eyes and ears open for GSD's and Mal's that have working potential.  I have a few leads still, but please keep them coming. 

Please keep the donations coming as well.  Every dollar helps.

Thanks again everyone!

Barngirl, what else do you know about the GSD's?  Any drive, are they fixed, good with other dogs, any training, etc.  Can you send me a pic.
 

I dont know anything about these dogs, someone else posted about them. I tried looking up the humane society where they are at, but every time I hit the link to see the available dogs it brings me somewhere else. Sorry I couldn't help you out more, that's all I know.

Just out of curiosity, is it a negative or a positive for a possible police dog to be dog aggresive?

 Hi, i've found a site maybe its of any use, scroll down and look at the green dogs, G-able vom Artiles..  social, retrieval and hard biter.. (whats in the text, sounds good and also good looking )
[linkhttp://www.vomartileskennel.com/K9SALES.HTML]http://www.vomartileskennel.com/K9SALES.HTML[/link]

( or what about dutch shepherd or mixed dutch/malionois? maybe these people have a nice young dog? [linkhttp://www.heartlandbelgians.com/heartland_dutch_shepherds.htm]http://www.heartlandbelgians.com/heartland_dutch_shepherds.htm[/link])

So Mic how goes the battle?  Any luck yet?

Still working on it.  I have looked at a few rescues and it looks like I am going to have to raise the money for a working line dog.  Most of the rescues are just to soft.  I need to raise about $1100, and we are at about $470.
 
I look at the green dogs from the post above, but they are willing to give us a discount.  So it is a matter of being patient and finding the right dog for the job.