Approximately 400 hours of basic training in building and area searches, tracking, handler protection, and criminal apprehension are completed. Two hundred additional hours of training are required of the bomb detection dog. All of our animals are certified through the U.S. Police Canine Association and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Even though our K-9 animals love basic police work, they can be extremely aggressive and dangerous when directed to be so by their handlers. They can also be docile and friendly.
Socialization is an important aspect of police dog training.
TPD's K-9 Unit performs countless demonstrations for community and business groups, and they are approached by children who like to pet the dogs. The dogs love the attention, and this helps break the stereotype that police dogs are on the end of the lead with their mouths open wide and ready to attack. People do not always understand the training that is involved. The dog's natural instinct to hunt is turned into hunting drugs or a bad guy. The dog thinks of it as a game.