Police dogs show off skills at Ohio Law Enforcement K9 Association’s Top Dog’ competition in Parma
Parma — With a nod they’re off, officer and police dog, marching side-by-side through the course.
They hug cone-marked corners, ignoring the bowl of food and the sleeve the dog is trained to bite.
“It’s just neat to see how well-trained they are,” said Shanna Obugene of Grafton, one of dozens of fans at the Ohio Law Enforcement K9 Association’s “Top Dog” competition.
Some more than others: A few dogs bounded away from their partners, sampled the food or gnawed at the sleeve. But, still, they were awe-inspiring compared with most pets.
“Everything revolves around obedience,” said Gerald Bemis of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, who put his German shepherd, Ace, through the paces. “You have to have control of your dog.”
Northeast Ohio has more than 120 police dogs, which are trained to sniff out drugs and bombs, track missing people and bite and bring down people running from police.
They’re usually born in northern Europe and cost about $6,500 each, said Bill Karolyi, a judge at Saturday’s contest. They are sent to the United States, where they learn police commands during a 12-week course and train each week with the partners they live with. They serve for about eight years.
Saturday’s competition at Padua Franciscan High School – which included a drug search and pursuit of a suspect – served as practice for the eight K9 contestants, while showing off their skills and raising money for the K9 association.
“The general public doesn’t realize how talented these dogs really are,” said organizer Ed Ripepi, an association member who has volunteered with his dog on searches. Richmond Heights Patrolman Tim Casto, the overall winner, called his dog, Kubo, invaluable. “That dog is there to give up its life so an officer doesn’t have to,” he said. “They do so much – tracking, trailing, apprehension. It’s a tool you can never get out of a human.”
They’re also way cuter than humans, transforming from militarylike obedience to frisky playfulness the moment their partners clip on their leashes.
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Police dogs are taught to jump through windows, climb ladders, walk along ledges, and focus on assigned tasks regardless of distractions. Not only are the dogs taught to attack with full fury, they are also taught to abort an attack, on command and they are very consistent ones they became full-pledged police dogs. That is why, we need to keep them healthy and provide all possible nutrition and preferring high-end dog food products that are scientifically tested and approved is one way of keeping them healthy.
Danniele Brown
http://woofgangbakerylakewoodranch.com/
I would like to know when/where dog shows are in Ohio. Thanks.
You might want to contact them via their website and ask, Dennis.
http://www.oleka.org/past_events.php