Trained guard dogs remain one of the top security solutions that can be utilised in a range of situations. Being incredibly well-trained, loyal and reliable, these dogs can be indispensable in times where manpower and even modern technology is not.
With that said, K9 teams are considered working dogs, so it’s important to remember to treat them as such – especially when they’re on the clock. In this blog, we’ll discuss the role of security canines and the dos and don’ts of how you should interact with them should you come across one.
What is the Role of Patrol Dogs?
‘Patrol dogs’ refers to any canine that has been professionally trained to react in desired ways for certain scenarios and situations – in this case ones that are security related. Working with a trained security dog handler, they can offer a wide range of services, including:
– Building searches
– Personal searches
– Crowd control
– Narcotics detection
– Door supervision
– Security patrols
– Evidence searches
No matter your security requirements, security dogs and their licensed handlers operate to the highest standards to provide you, your business or your event with a reliable service.
Interacting with Security Dogs
Dos
If you ever come across a patrol dog or employ K9 services at your place of business, it’s always important that you communicate with the security dog handlers before approaching, rather than attempting to approach and interact with the dog directly.
This is to avoid the dog becoming distracted whilst on duty or reacting badly to your presence.
Another thing to remember is to keep your distance and allow them to do their job. As cute as the dog may be and as much as you may want to pet it or say hello, you must remember that they are a working dog and you must respect them as such. So, unless you need to speak to their handler, it’s best to stay away and leave them be.
Don’ts
Now for the don’ts of interacting with a security dog; the main one is to never touch or attempt to stroke one of these dogs without permission from their handler. Not only is this to avoid the dog from being distracted, but it’s also to protect yourself in case the dog responds with aggression.
Another big no no is offering a patrol dog food. Food can be one of the most distracting things for a dog, and in the case of sniffer dogs can hinder them from performing their job effectively, as their noses are incredibly sensitive and food may throw them off their scent.
K9 Security Units
Do you have an urgent need for K9 security services? Here at Metropolitan Security, we can deploy our team of security dogs and licensed dog handlers at short notice to any location in the UK.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your security requirements and learn more about the security solutions our K9 team can offer you.