Common training commands for police dogs include "Heel", "Sit", "Down", "Stand", "Sit", and "Speak". These verbal commands should be accompanied by appropriate hand signals. When you want the dog to follow you, you can give the "Heel" command while gently tapping your thigh with your left hand hanging naturally. A well-trained police dog will reliably execute the commands given by its handler.
Common Police Dog Commands and Hand Signals
1. Heel
To have a police dog walk beside you, use the command "Heel", paired with the hand signal of your left hand naturally hanging and gently tapping your thigh. Repeat this command and signal when turning, changing pace, or stopping.
2. Stay
To make a police dog stop and stay, use the commands "Sit" or "Stay". Once the stay training is complete, the handler should approach the dog and provide some form of positive reinforcement.
3. Down
Another common command is "Down". While giving this command, the handler raises their right hand, extends it forward, and faces the palm down.
4. Stand
To command a police dog to stand, give the command "Stand", accompanied by a hand signal of extending the right hand upward from below, with the palm facing up.
5. Sit
"Sit" is a basic and crucial command. When giving the "Sit" command, the handler should extend their arm to the side, with the forearm raised vertically, palm facing forward, forming an L shape with their arm.
6. Speak
To make a police dog bark, use the command "Speak". The accompanying hand signal is to form a fist with your right hand, index finger pointing upward, then move your finger down in a small repetitive motion.
7. Sit-Up
The command for training a police dog to sit up is "Sit-Up." Coordinate the command with a hand signal: raise your right hand with your palm facing up, and pull your elbow back, to train the dog to follow your command.
8. Roll Over
The command for roll over is "Roll". When training a police dog to roll, extend your right hand forward, and rotate the palm up and down. After some training, the police dog will perform the command well.
Important Considerations for Training Police Dogs
1. Avoid Physical Punishment
Physical punishment will destroy the bond between the handler and the police dog. If a police dog makes a mistake, some scolding is necessary, but do not hit the dog. Police dogs trained through physical abuse will become very insecure and will not be able to coordinate effectively with their handlers.
2. Don't Rush the Process
Many people tend to be too impatient when they first start training, hoping that the police dog will learn everything within a day. This is the wrong approach. Training police dogs requires patience, following a systematic and consistent process.