The Misapplication of Force in Police Dog Training: 5 Examples by Jerry Bradshaw 

This presentation will discuss the application and misapplication of coercion in police K9 training by using 5 common examples of the misapplication of force in specific training situations including: dominance/rank issues, general obedience/behavior problems, out on command, recall (or call off), and common timing misapplications.  Alternative ways to achieve training goals will be discussed, including proper application of punishment and negative reinforcement, the balancing of reward/coercion, proper methods for de-conditioning rank and other behavior problems, and improved methods for teaching control commands such as the out and recall commands that minimize conflict and speed the acquisition of desired training goals.

Jerry Bradshaw is Training Director & President of Tarheel Canine Training Inc in Sanford, North Carolina. Jerry began his career in dogs by training for competitive protection sports back in 1991, and has competed in National Championship trials in both Schutzhund and PSA, winning the PSA National Championships in 2003 with his dog Ricardo v.d. Natuurzicht PSA 3. Jerry is the only trainer in the US to title 2 dogs to PSA 3. Jerry has trained and titled many Belgian Malinois to the highest titles in the sports in which he competed including Arrow of Tigerpaws SchH 3, BH, Ben von Lowenfels, SchH 2, BH, Rocky de la Maison Des Lions PSA 3, and Ricardo v.d. Natuurzicht PH 1, PSA 3. Rocky and Ricardo are both PSA Hall of Fame Inductees.

 Jerry’s company, Tarheel Canine Training Inc. is a nationally renowned training facility for police service dogs, and has placed trained police dogs at federal, state and local law enforcement agencies nationally and internationally since 1993. Tarheel Canine Training, Inc. implemented the pilot explosives dog programs for the Federal Reserve System’s 6th District banks as well as NASA’s Greenbelt Maryland Headquarters. Jerry serves as a consultant/evaluator for the Department of Energy for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve K9 Program. Jerry also serves on the board of the National Tactical Police Dog Association, Inc. Complete biographies and references for Jerry Bradshaw and the staff of trainers at Tarheel Canine Training Inc. are available at www.tarheelcanine.com .