Why is it that most military and police departments across the U.S. make it a policy that when K9’s are retired, they are not allowed to be adopted into homes? This is a question that has been raised by many people, especially dog lovers who would love to provide a loving home for these loyal and hardworking canines.
While many people assume that these policies are in place because these dogs are too dangerous to be adopted into homes, there are actually other reasons why most K9’s are not adopted once they retire from their service.
1. Trauma and Behavioral Issues
Military and police K9s are trained to be fiercely protective and obedient to their handlers. When they retire, many of the K9s may already have behavioral issues that result from trauma and abuse from being overworked and isolated from family homes. This can make it difficult for them to integrate seamlessly into home life and become calm and docile members of the household.
2. Lack of Home Training
Most military and police K9s have not been conditioned to become family pets, with training only involving defensive means of operations. As a result, they may lack the socialization and skills needed to properly interact with other dogs, children, and normal home activities.
3. Ties to Previous Handlers
K9s develop a strong bond with their handlers during their time in service. In some cases, this bond can be almost as strong as that between pet owners and their pets. This can create an emotional tug-of-war if they are then adopted into a new family home setting, especially since they have no experience of interacting with strangers or any previous assistance conditioned into being defensive.
4. Liability and Safety Concerns
Police and military trained K9s come with a high liability, because of the potential risks involved in their security training. Adopting a retired K9 into a new family home brings both immediate and long-term risk of injury to the family. The liability of owning a dog with a history of aggressive behavior, and the possibility of lawsuits and lawsuits against local authorities, is much too significant a risk to take.
Rather than attempting to adopt an ex-police or military dog, the best option for individuals and families alike would be to look for a dog that is expertly trained. At Command Dogs, we take pride in the level of training that our dogs undergo. They have extensive knowledge of how to react in real life situations, and act on their instincts to serve and protect their owners.
If you are looking for a dog that is strong, capable, and expertly trained, contact us today. We would love to assist you in finding the perfect dog for your needs.