Master Trainer 2

6-week (240 Unit Hours) course in all aspects of Police K9 problem solving systems. Seven written examinations, field exercises with numerous canines. In various stages of training, extensive agitator training, lecture material and student teaching.

» Problem solving in all facets of Police K-9 work
» Puppy selection tests and breeding managemet
» Puppy training on high drive techniques

Problem solving

In this course, the student learns how to analyze and remove all the mistake pools that arise. The most important function lays in analyzing, so that the correct learning process and instructions are concretely pointed out and distributed.

The picture shows Mister John Fakuda with ICARE vom Wolfsprung (Oakland Police Department, Top Dog 1999 Overall In Police Work and Narcotics)

Puppy selection tests

In Hans Schlegel's opinion the number one breed most apt to become a perfect police K9 is the Belgian Shepherd, in other words, the Malinois. The Malinois is fast, it has no problem with hip dysplasia, no back problems, and you can start with the movement tests as early as two weeks of age. The German Shepherd for example remains a puppy until six months of age. The Malinois grows differently than the German Shepherd or the Rottweiler. With the Malinois breed, one can start training at 4 months of age because at that early age it is already a dog and no longer a puppy.
In choosing the Malinois' Hans has chosen to stay with the French lines. It has proven to be, in the last 10 years, the most reliable line because the dogs are all registered and one can clearly see where the offspring comes from.
The selection of the Malinois starts as early as 2 weeks of age. Hans does a lot of movement tests. The movement of the puppies are tested in 39 different ways. Through these tests Hans checks for Stability, nose efficiency, how the puppy will cope with building up his or her endurance, and specially the puppy's reaction under stressful situations.
Hans assures that a well bred, well trained Belgian Malinois will endure what it takes to be a top qualified Police dog for many years.

Puppy Training

The one and most important psychological tool in Hans' view when training is the motivational drive that he uses. The puppy is retained in a playful mood throughout the whole training process. This technique is called Play Drive Obedience.
Training begins with running that is graduated slowly from 1/4 to 1 mile a day. This strength and endurance training with the handler remains part of the routine until the dog has been accepted. From birth, in Police work, the dog should only be trained by two handlers.
Hans starts the puppy training with a bit of everything. First is tracking and then he builds up the play drive with the toy. The toy that is used by Hans is called a "Hank's Boudin". It can be compared to a hunting dog retrieve dummy, it is made out of French linen.
If a dog could think at four month old, his level would be that of a 4-year old child. That is why, Hans believes, the message he receives has to be kept basic and fun

Hans invented the "Hank's Boudin", or the "USA Hank sausage" system, in dog training in order to protect the handler in the future from getting hurt of the young dog's strong play drive.
The Hans Schlegel Boudin is used for puppy training as one of the main toys. This toy gradually becomes a retrieval tool for search and rescue, to where the dog goes from playing with the toy, up to going to look for a lost person (Bringsel work). Every work Hans believes has to come from drive. It is essential that the puppy learns that the toy belongs to the handler and that he or she can share it or "borrow" it. The puppy does not get to keep it, it gets to use it. The aim is that as soon as the puppy sees the toy it thinks: "Oh, let's go and play"!

The following learning processes are taught:

» Puppy selection test's for future Police work
» Goal oriented Puppy Training systems
» Problem solving techniques in all facets of Police work
» SWAT techniques and systems
» Helicopter and Building abseiling with the dog
» Multi dog search techniques
» Narcotic training
» Explosive training
» Training management