Grooming is very important to bonding and seeing if your dog has problems, like lumps, parasites, and sores.” Handlers must also praise, reward and correct them in a timely manner. “To start, handlers clean kennels and groom their dog. “ … They haven’t established who’s the leader of the pack.”īonding with the dog “starts from day one,” he adds. “Generally, it’s due to a temperament issue,” Hauversburk says. At this stage, the dogs are usually 1 to 2 years old. Next is the 14-week basic training at the Springfield Police Academy, north of the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Once canines and handlers are selected, they are carefully matched to get a compatible team, Hauversburk says. You have to commit to the dog’s welfare because he’s totally dependent on the handler.” It’s very physically and mentally demanding. They find out quickly during basic training that it’s not all about fun. “I think some handlers come in and think … it’s going to be fun. “There are a lot of things you do at home and on your days off” to care for the dog and keep his skills sharp. And, “they certainly have to like and respect dogs.” Handlers must be physically fit and have keen motor skills, good voice inflection (a happy voice tells the dog you’re pleased with him a stern voice says you’re serious) and self-motivation, Hauversburk says. The dogs need to be in good health, have good eyes and hearing, a strong prey drive, the desire to retrieve and a possessive tendency. Hauversburk, who has trained more than 75 canines and their handlers for the city and other police departments since 1986, screens candidates. Making a good canine team starts before the handler and dog meet. “When I first started, I asked the (experienced) handlers how long it takes to really get to know your dog,” Leininger says. Getting to that point - what handlers call “meshing with your dog” - takes time. The dog thinks, ‘This is my partner, he’s my master.’ I see (the dog) as my partner, too.” “I think they get attached to you,” says Officer Ron Howard, who’s handled two canine cops. “We don’t train the dogs to be protective of their handlers, but all the dogs are.” “Now, not even my co-workers can get near the car when I’m in it,” Leininger says. When the duo began working together a year and a half ago, Tango wouldn’t bark in the car.
“You have to have a bond with the dog - why would he want to protect me otherwise?” says Leininger as he and Tango drive their regular east-side beat.įrom a specially converted back seat area complete with fan, Tango barks ferociously at nearby pedestrians. The canines are trained to do many tasks at their handler’s command - including dangerous duties such as chasing suspects who may be shooting toward them. If you don’t have a bond together, it’s hard to be successful because it’s hard to motivate them,” Termine says. That’s because of the bond between officer and dog, according to handlers. “You can tell in their demeanor when they find something or somebody. Springfield police dogs do a variety of tasks, such as search for suspects, narcotics, evidence, bombs or people who are lost, said six-year canine officer Steve Termine. “These dogs come out of their kennel ready to work.” Hauversburk, Springfield’s Canine Academy training officer, who has had six four-legged partners. “We teach these dogs that work is fun,” says Officer J.R. But their trainers say it’s like play for the dogs. It’s all part of mandatory monthly training for the Springfield Police Department’s seven canine teams. “Good boy! Good narc!” Leininger says cheerfully while rubbing Tango, who wags his tail and jumps. Leininger throws Tango his “reward” - a rolled, drug-scented towel. Inside is a bag with 20 grams of marijuana. Standing, he smells the sink, counter, and a closed diaper changing table. He ignores observers and hurries from one stall to another. Leininger releases him, and Tango races into a bathroom, nose to floor, sniffing constantly. “He knows it’s time for a drug search,” Leininger says. His handler, Springfield police Officer Jeff Leininger, has slipped Tango’s leather “narc” (narcotics) collar on. Tango, a 3 1/2-year-old German shepherd, pulls at his leash.
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