Not all dog breeds have the skill level or training capacity it takes to be a service dog, police dog, or rescue and messenger dog. Each breed has been established for a different purpose; some dogs were meant to be fighters, companions, hunters, or pest eliminators, entertaining pets or even nannies for the children. Usually breeds like German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Labrador and Golden Retrievers, and Border Collies are the most consistent and reliable breeds for special operations or special needs training. These dogs rank highly in their ability to understand commands, quickly respond, and efficiently complete tasks. Because of this, many humans rely heavily on the abilities of these well-trained animals who daily prove that dogs are truly man’s best friend.
Service Dogs
Dogs have been faithful companions and protective counterparts for millions of disabled or ailing people over the centuries. Their loyalty, alacrity and undeniable instincts in a time of crisis have made them able to achieve levels of service and devotion not many humans can boast.
Dogs have helped those struggling with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or panic attacks, strokes, seizures, etc. These dogs, aside from being a steady and comforting presence, are also trained in a variety of skills for emergencies. For example, the dogs are trained to locate or retrieve a purse that has medication and bring it to the owner if he is unable to move, or is disoriented or panicking. Emergency trained dogs have also been taught to fetch a bottle of water for the owner if they need to take the pills, open cabinets to find medicine, or bring portable phones to the owner if the person cannot move. They are taught to provide balance for the elderly as they climb staircases, can be trained to take messages to spouses or neighbors if their owner is unconscious, they can answer the front door, work as an alarm by waking up the human if he is unresponsive, and can even be taught to call 9-1-1 on in-house K9 dialing systems for their masters.
Guide dogs are taught to be the eyes of their master, leading them through densely populated areas, or on daily routes to their home or place of work. For the hard of hearing, guide dogs can help alert the owner of the phone ringing, door bell, alarm clock or smoke detector. In public places, service dogs are also taught to lead their master swiftly and calmly through chaotic crowds to the nearest escape, or will lead their sight-impaired owners safely down busy streets. These dogs are rigorously trained to stay on task in spite of numerous distractions like food, other animals, bad weather, and hazards on the road.
Similarly, motion assistance dogs help those who have physical limitations or disabilities. Such dogs can help their owners pick up something that has fallen, or go and fetch something they need. Dogs who assist diabetics or those who are prone to seizures, are taught to read warning signs (such as the blood sugar level based on the scent of their owner’s breath), or a change in the person’s posture or body language. The dog’s responsive behavior will alert the owner about their blood sugar, or to be wary of an on-coming seizure.
Therapeutic dogs are trained to stay with their owner at all times, providing comfort and companionship to ailing children or those with a learning disability, or with the elderly in retirement homes, hospices, hospitals, and with injured people in disaster-stricken regions. Families with an autistic child have found support through dogs that help their children with separation anxiety, often resulting in a strong emotional bond between the child and his trustworthy companion. These dogs are also trained to track a missing child, or to keep one from running away or getting lost.
Rescue Dogs
Rescue dogs are trained to be trackers, able to pick up a scent in any kind of weather, on both land and water, in order to locate the person or object. They then are able to retrieve the person, or alert others to the body, or bring help to the person in need. Rescue dogs are also often employed after a natural disaster or in time of conflict to sniff through rubble to identify victims, cadavers, and track people who may be lost, buried, or unconscious. In the past, rescue mission dogs have been also used as medical messengers in regions where when humans were not able to make the trip due to perilous roads and unpredictable weather conditions. Such courageous dogs have been known to save countless lives through messenger missions and rescue work.
Guard Dogs
Because of their loyalty and protective instincts, dogs have long been employed as guards of families, children, properties, and herds of livestock. Some animals function more as a watch dog, by sounding the alert and barking at any intruder, while others actually chase down and intimidate any unwanted guests. Herding guard dogs like Komondors and Great Pyreneees watch their land with a terrifying strength, whereas German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers have strong loyalties to the family, and antagonizing warning signals towards strangers. Most breeds do not typically need any “protective dog” training, since they will respond naturally to guard their owner, even at the cost of their own comfort. However, those who want to train dogs in protection will need certain certifications for their pet, since owning a dog with that level of training is akin to possessing a weapon. Many of the more aggressive dog breeds can be trained to attack someone if they see a raised arm carrying a stick or a weapon, or can be taught to chase down and “attack” an intruder if commanded to do so. However, most people prefer to have a loyal family dog who serves a good warning, rather than one that will actually assault a stranger.
Police Dogs
Also referred to as KD units, police dogs are trained in tracking, search and rescue missions, and detecting narcotics, explosives, and cadavers. Dogs are naturally blessed with instincts and intuitions that humans are without, making them a desirable companion to protective forces. Their ability to sense danger, to track and sniff out different substances, concealed weapons, and abducted people has made their skills invaluable to the police/prison guards who work with highly trained pets.
Some of the most preferred police dog breeds are German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Labradors, Bloodhounds, Pit Bulls, and Doberman Pinschers.
War-time Dogs
Dogs have been used in battle for thousands of years, among the most ancient civilizations. They have been hopeful mascots, inspiring and encouraging brotherhood and morale amongst the soldiers, as well as providing practical skills and mission support for the armies. In centuries past, dogs were used to fight in the battles alongside soldiers, while modern years have seen military dogs provide reconnaissance work, using their tracking abilities on special missions. They have been known to smuggle messages across enemy lines, and transport small loads of supplies as needed. War-time dogs have been used to track missing servicemen, identify bodies, cadavers, bombs, other explosives, and even technological devices like radios and cell phones. They have been employed as sentry dogs guarding barracks, camp areas, and supplies. In recent years dogs have carried microphones, sound transmitters and cameras on their chest guards during their missions, which then send information to their handlers. Throughout the centuries, canines have proven their courage continually, their work saving many human lives.
Competitive Racing and Show Dogs
Intelligent and responsive dogs can also be trained to compete in agility and skill competitions. While dogs once competed in bull-fighting, rat-killing, or races, dogs can also train to compete in ornate relays. In such events, dogs must prove their focus, recall, and ability to overcome obstacles and navigate through a difficult course, without any incentive. Dog trainers and handlers work with the pups to provide the right commands to help guide them through the courses, over hurtles, through rings, between poles, and on unstable foundations. Speed, accuracy, obedience and successful passage are some of the ways in which a dog’s ranking is determined. Training for these events is rigorous, requiring repetitious daily exercises in obedience and special skills; but such practices are an excellent way to provide challenging stimulation both for the dog’s body and his mind.
