K9 In-Service Training
K-9 Training
Every year the DEC K-9 Unit instructor schedules a one week K-9 In-Service School where all ECO Dog Handlers and K-9s attend. Policies, procedures and map and compass work are refreshed. K-9 first aid is taught. Actual tracks are worked day and night as well as all other phases of police service dog training. The dogs and handlers work in canoes, boats, air craft, trucks and buses. The aim of this training is to keep each dog socialized and conditioned to all possible encounters, such as steel grated bridges, pole bridges, ladders, cat walks, docks, fire escapes, and so on. The dogs are also taught to get along with one another.
The K-9 In-Service School is held at the SUNY Potsdam Star Lake Campus in the Adirondack Mountains. Condition training is conducted nearby at the K-9 training site in Brownville, NY in Region 6. At the Star Lake Campus, training is done in remote areas where officers work with boats, aircraft, and do simulated long distance tracks. All dogs and handlers must pass the bi-annual certification to continue with the K-9 program.
In addition to the In-Service training, each K-9 Handler is responsible for weekly maintenance training to keep the dog in top condition with regard to both physical fitness and skill ability. The Division K-9 Instructor inspects and certifies the dogs every six months. At this time, each dog and handler must demonstrate their ability in each phase of the police service dog training. The dog's aggression level is also evaluated at this time. Each dog must successfully complete test tracks and be proficient at detection work.
