These are highly-trained dogs who work alongside professional security officers who handle them. But make no mistake, dogs who work with human security officers are not pets, but rather partners. Working together as a team, K9 security units are ideal for patrols of private and commercial properties.
Depending on the breed, a dog’s sense of smell can be anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times better than humans which is why they are often used to sniff out narcotics and explosives or track down intruders. The most common type of dog used in the security industry is the German Shepherd. The German Shepherd originated in Germany in the late 1800s. Due to the fact that German Shepherds are extremely loyal and easy-to-train, they are often used by security companies and police forces around the world, the military, and as guide dogs for the blind.
Using dogs in the security industry is nothing new, but K9 security units do require extensive training. Statistics show that dogs prove to be a very effective deterrent for anyone intent on committing a crime as most criminals won’t break into a commercial property if there are K9 units on site. And because these dogs are so loyal, they protect their security officer partners in dangerous situations by demonstrating controlled aggression against anyone who threatens their partner. K9 units provide an additional layer of security and peace of mind to facilities like airports, shopping malls, stadiums, or construction sites.
In conjunction with technology, canine security units can strongly complement a security workforce management solution that includes incident reporting, live tracking of security officers, and real-time communication channels. These K9 units are especially effective in situations where security officers need to patrol large industrial sites, cannabis warehouses, or business parks, and areas where using a lone worker is considered too dangerous such as areas of high crime, underground parking garages, and more.