Old dog

486 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by David Frost, Apr 25, 2007

David Frost

Discussion Starter · Apr 25, 2007

We've been conducting our annual drug dog certification the past couple of weeks. I bring in 5 handlers at a time, keep them for two days during the eval. Today, we had one of our senior dogs in. Funny how a year can make such a difference. The dog made it through the vehicle portion of the search, buildings are tomorrow. Toward the end though, I could see the dog was really struggling. He's almost 12, been on the road 9 years. I can remember last year I remarked how good the dog looked, knowing that at that age change can take place overnight. I talked to the handler to make sure he understood this would probably be his last year. the handler wants another mal, he's been a good handler, I'll sure try and fill that request. Ole Nikko will do much better in retirement, which probably will be this fall.

DFrost

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Bob Scott

· #2 · Apr 25, 2007

Hope Nikko will have a little something to keep him occupied in retirement.
It was always hard to go on a hunting trip and leave an old veteran at home. I suspet it's the same for a LEO's K9.

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Connie Sutherland

· #3 · Apr 25, 2007

Bob Scott said:
Hope Nikko will have a little something to keep him occupied in retirement.
It was always hard to go on a hunting trip and leave an old veteran at home. I suspet it's the same for a LEO's K9.

I hope so too, for the same reasons.

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susan tuck

· #4 · Apr 25, 2007

me too. Will he stay with his handler? Will his handler get another K9?

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Gregg Tawney

· #5 · Apr 25, 2007

To have a dog work till the age of twelve is very good but no matter how old the dog is when he is ready for retirement it is still difficult to call it.

I notice the same thing, David. I have had dogs doing great and then they hit a point and within like six months to a year you will notice a significant decline in energy/drive and you know then that retirement is at hand.

In the beginning it is always difficult to leave the retired dog home. When you grab your gear the retired dog gets all excited. Then you load the new dog and your retired dog looks at you like, "what the heck!".

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David Frost

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 25, 2007

susan tuck said:
me too. Will he stay with his handler? Will his handler get another K9?

Yes and yes.

DFrost

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Phil Dodson

· #7 · Apr 25, 2007

> David, I just read in the local paper the other day the retirement of 1 of my dogs I trained several years ago, K-9 "Charlie". Covington County SO. He is 13 1/2 yoa yellow lab.

> The article stated he worked up until his retirement last week with a total of 505 arrests and an estimated 2.5 million dollars worth of drugs, cash and seizures to his credit!

> He will live at home with his handler Waylin Griggs. They tell me the ceremony was awesome. Several news stations and local papers were present and a very large crowd attended including the county commissioner and several chiefs from the county he was employed in. It was nice to know that at least a few politicians appreciated what their tax dollars accomplished.

> phil Dodson

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Connie Sutherland

· #8 · Apr 25, 2007

Phil Dodson said:
> David, I just read in the local paper the other day the retirement of 1 of my dogs I trained several years ago, K-9 "Charlie". Covington County SO. He is 13 1/2 yoa yellow lab.

> The article stated he worked up until his retirement last week with a total of 505 arrests and an estimated 2.5 million dollars worth of drugs, cash and seizures to his credit!

> He will live at home with his handler Waylin Griggs. They tell me the ceremony was awesome. Several news stations and local papers were present and a very large crowd attended including the county commissioner and several chiefs from the county he was employed in. It was nice to know that at least a few politicians appreciated what their tax dollars accomplished.

> phil Dodson

I would have liked to see that ceremony.

I saw a similar (maybe smaller) one, and it was just great.

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David Frost

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 25, 2007

That's great Phil. I always do a summary of our retired dogs and submit an article to the department news letter. I haven't done the summary yet, but it should be a pretty good one.

DFrost

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