Dr. Debbye Turner Bell got a rare look at how the canines of the ATF, and their handlers, train. Watch the CBS Video
The Doghouse LLC and Carrie had the privilege of training numerous ATF dogs in obedience. These canines would need absolute reliable obedience and methods easily transitioned to the ATF handlers. These dogs were trained in numerous locations all over St Petersburg and Tampa, using environmental distractions such as people downtown, dogs who are out for a stroll, Segway tours, busy Central Ave, parking garages, the Tampa airport, bike riders, restaurant scenarios, and runners along the waterways all to prove their obedience. Dogs who are doing patrol work must be safe to be around the public. A dangerous dog to civilians will not do the ATF any good because these dogs cannot be safely used in the environments where they are needed. Each of the eight dogs that we trained for the program was very stable and sound.
These dogs are selected to have rock-solid temperaments and great food and toy drives. Some of the dogs used in the ATF were from the same lines as Carrie’s competition Malinois (Belgian Shepherds), Ajax and Genghis. Having a genetically correct dog with working dogs in their lineage, balanced with the desire to work and please, is the perfect component to make training excel. The training that we then give these dogs allows the ATF to utilize their full potential. Carrie’s background in police dogs is from her father, Bill Silva, a former K9 handler for the St Petersburg Police department, who helped aid in understanding what is needed to accomplish a successful working partner who also can be social and sound in public settings.
