Protecting your K-9 is as important as protecting yourself. Here’s a look at some of the latest gear for K-9s and their handlers as well training:
Training gear
Bite sleeves are a must when it comes to training. Some of the latest and best ones are waterproof, which helps the sleeve stay cooler. One of the most popular bite sleeves from Horton’s Quality K-9 is also ambidextrous with much mobility.
Another type of sleeve to be on the lookout for are rubber arms and legs. Most come in a variety of positions such as an arm that is straight or bent. Using a rubber arm or leg bite sleeve brings a realistic feel to training your K-9.
K-9 toys are essential for training and recreational time. One of the best (and one of the most popular by far) is the KONG. This simple toy is a great way to exercise your K-9 and train them to retrieve items.
A thicker, more durable version of this toy can be found at Elite K-9. The Tonka Tristack Tug with Rope Handle is heavy duty and made for ample training use. It comes in two versions: one with a rope and one without.
Protective gear
Dog goggles and ear protection should be among the top items on the equipment list. Elite K-9 offers a set with both of these, providing your K-9 officer maximum protection. The Rex Specs K-9 Eyewear from Horton’s Quality K-9 provides your canine partner with maximum eye protection. These protect your K-9 from the sun with UV lenses that are interchange able with a clear lens and a “smoked” one. Rex Specs offer eye protection from the weather too such as debris that may irritate your K-9’s eyes. The eyewear is low profile, so they won’t deter or distract your K-9 while on duty and fit dogs anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds. Another option is the Spec Opt Eye Protection K9 Goggles from Elite K-9. This particular option has a 255-degree field of vision and is ergonomic in design.
Hearing protection should also always be considered when it comes to equipping your K-9. Elite K-9 Hearing Professional Protection offers ear protection that is able to keep your canine from suffering hearing damage whether they are conducting regular tasks on duty, at the shooting range, in the event of a tactical situation, or on an aircraft. These are light in weight and fit dogs anywhere from 50 to 95 pounds.
K-9 vests should be updated every so often, namely when they expired, just as K-9 handler’s body armor has an expiration date. These vests are NIJ certified. You can also keep your K-9 cool by adding cooling pads to their vests and carriers.
Vehicle accessories
Transporting your K-9 safely is another aspect to consider when purchasing K-9 equipment. Newer items on the market presently include specialized vehicle inserts for patrol cars such as the Ford Interceptor SUV. The insert for this vehicle combines safety and visibility for canines and can hold up to two dogs safely and may accommodate a 10-inch fan if desired.
New training and services
Training is a must and with the current environment, it has been difficult to obtain all of the necessary training needed. However, some training services are offering online courses for K-9 handlers so they may keep up with what is new in the K-9 world and perform mandatory training hours.
Highland Police K-9 Training offers an “Advanced Detection Development” course that is online. Most of the online courses that are available are focused on handler and supervisory training. Custom Canine Unlimited even offers a “K9 Supervisor Liability” course and will offer a report writing course in the near future.
K-9FTO offers a “Dog Psychology and Problem Solving” webinar. This course covers ways to increase good behavior as well as canine’s conscious versus subconscious and is four-and-a-half hours.
Times may be changing when it comes to how or when K-9 handlers and their partners are trained. However, with the right tools and resources, the standards and necessity for training for law enforcement K-9s and their handlers may be met.
