FAQ
Do you teach obedience to civilian owned pets, or are you strictly a law enforcement training facility?
Even though we do train and sell police k9s for law enforcement, we do train the average household pet in obedience as well. We offer a multitude of obedience packages that will suit the need of the average civilian.
Is my dog too old for obedience training?
No, it's never too late to train your dog, regardless of their age. Dogs of all ages can learn new behaviors and skills with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Older dogs might take a bit longer to learn due to ingrained habits, but they can still learn and benefit from training.
Why should I obedience train my dog?
Obedience training helps manage common behavioral issues that lead to dogs being surrendered to shelters, such as pulling on a leash and jumping. Also, training strengthens the bond between you and your dog. Aso, a well-trained dog is more confident and enjoy a better quality of life.
When should I start training my dog?
Early training is key. Manners and socialization should begin as soon as you bring your puppy home, ideally around 8-9 weeks of age.
Official obedience training, such as our board and train, are for those puppies that are starting to show adolescent behaviors around 3-5 months of age. But any dog at any age should be taught obedience.
How long will it take to train my dog?
Every dog is different. Just like some people learn faster than others, dogs are the same way. Training timelines can vary depending on the dog's age, temperament, and individual learning pace. Once your dog completes his official training, it still doesn't end. Dog training is an ongoing process that must be maintained once you take your dog home. Consistency is key: regular, consistent training and practice are essential for achieving and maintaining desired behaviors.
What age of dog is the hardest to train?
Adolescent (6-18 months) We call this "The Turbulent Teens". This period is chaaracterized by a surge in energy, hormonal changes, and a quest for independence. Your previously obedient puppy might now exhibit behaviors such as excessive barking, reactivity, jumping, or even ignoring commands they once followed.
What dog training methods do you use for your obedience dogs?
We do a hybrid style of training that combines Positive Reinforcement and Positive Punishment. Don't let the "punishment" part scare you. Our philosophy is that the dog should be rewarded when he does something right but should also be corrected when he does something wrong. By correction, I mean a snap to the collar and a verbal no, or a correction on an ecollar, if they are doing the advanced. This way the dog associates the unwanted behavior with the correction and are less likely to repeat it in the future. We do not recommend or advocate yelling or any kind of hitting of the dog at any time.
Why should I choose to attend the Bullock's K9 Police Handler School?
Here at Bullock's K9 we keep our classes small so everyone can get that special attention. We don't load our classes with so many handlers and dogs that you only get to work your dog a minimum of times. We like to give the handler/k9 teams as much training and practice as they can get during our school. This way they feel more like a part of us and not just a number.
What's the difference between a dual-purpose and single-purpose k9?
Dual-Purpose Police K9s are trained in Patrol and odor and is considered an all-around police K9. They can find odor (Narcotics or Explosives), track, evidence recovery and then apprehend the suspect. they are the most highly trained police dog; However, it takes a special dog to be able to do this.
Single-Purpose Police K9s are trained in a specialized area. They can be strictly narcotics or explosives, but they don't do any kind of bite work, or suspect apprehension. Some can be trained to track, or to do evidence recovery as well. Typically, these are the dogs that had the hunt/retrieve for police work but lacked the ambition and confidence to stand up to a suspect.