Exclusive interview with Constable Jason Ellett of the Edmonton Police Service’s K9 Unit.
Many of our readers train sport dogs in similar disciplines as police dogs - agility, tracking, obedience, and protection. Training and living with highly driven dogs is a passion shared by both sport and service handlers. We thought it would be insightful to hear from Constable
Ellett about what it's like to live and work with a police dog, and how it compares to our sport dogs.
Q1: Can you introduce yourself and your experience with the Edmonton Police K9 Unit?
A: My name is Constable Jason Ellett, and I’ve been involved with our K9 Unit since 2008, when I started as a quarry (helper). In 2012, I became a puppy holder. Then, in 2015, I entered the "Dog Master" course with the puppy I was raising, Robbie. We passed the course and became team S31. In 2016, Robbie and I competed in the Canadian Police Canine Association (CPCA) trials in Calgary, where we won 1st place or “Top Dog.” We worked together for the full seven-year tenure allowed in the unit. Robbie retired at the end of 2022, and I’ve since moved to Patrol in the Northeast division.
Q2: Experienced IGP practitioners acquire sport dogs from breeding stock with a lineage in the IGP sport. How do the Edmonton Police, and other forces, acquire their dogs?
A: Years ago, EPS sourced dogs from various places—local breeders, donated dogs, and other police services, including the RCMP. This approach produced mixed results. In recent years, we’ve used brokers to purchase puppies and dogs, which has significantly improved our success rate.
Q3: Our IGP sport dogs live with us in the house, and many of us start training them when they’re young puppies. How do police puppies live before entering training? Do they receive any special training during this time? And what happens to dogs that don’t make it through the program?
A: When we become puppy holders, we’re assigned a puppy. We aren’t officially part of the K9 Unit at this stage and continue with our regular duties—patrol, communications, or desk work. Our job is to care for the puppy and meet regularly with the unit trainer for foundational training in tracking, obedience, agility, bite work, building searches, and area searches. Puppy holders are provided a 12’ by 8’ chain-link outdoor enclosure with a roof and a heated doghouse, where the puppy spends its downtime. If a dog doesn’t make it through the program, it may be sold to other police or security agencies or returned to the broker if there’s a guarantee.
Q4: Many of our members have several dogs in the house that interact with each other, and some members have small children. Are there rules about having other animals or children in the house when living with a K9 Unit dog?
A: There aren’t strict rules. Handlers are expected to know their dogs and use good judgment. The key thing to remember is that the police K9 is a working asset, not a pet.
Q5: Where are the police dogs kept at home, and what are the kennel rules?
A: The K9 lives in an outdoor enclosure, which is covered and equipped with an insulated, heated dog house and a heated water bowl. Most handlers, including myself, would bring the K9 inside to sleep if the temperature dropped below -25°C.
Q6: Sport dogs have activities at the club grounds, which is a clear difference from their home life. Police dogs need to operate in various environments, including houses. How do police dogs differentiate between behavior at home and in the field?
A: We focus on environmental and picture training to ensure success in various situations. We train in city-owned houses, warehouses, businesses, and public spaces, simulating scenarios such as obedience, apprehension, and agility. The dog’s focus is always on the task at hand, regardless of the environment. At home, a solid foundation in obedience helps manage most behaviors. Keep in mind, police dogs are treated as assets, not pets, until they retire, so they don’t usually lounge around the house without purpose.
Q7: Many of our readers do activities like hiking, biking, and dock diving with their dogs. Can K9 handlers engage in these types of activities with their police K9?
A: Absolutely! These activities are great for the dogs' physical and mental fitness, and I highly recommend them.
Q8: In IGP, judges want to see that dog and handler enjoy being together on the field, with the dog showing no stress. IGP training emphasizes engagement and positive reinforcement, with corrections primarily for misbehavior. How are police dogs trained, and do they view their work as play?
A: Police dogs must be reliable because the risk and liability in our line of work is incredibly high. We use operant conditioning to train them, focusing mostly on positive reinforcement, but we use all four quadrants (Positive and Negative Reinforcement, Positive and Negative Punishment) to ensure reliability. I believe the dogs start out seeing training as play and enjoy it throughout their careers. However, due to the violent nature of some criminals, they eventually realize it’s not just a game. Robbie, for example, was punched, kicked, choked, and bear-sprayed twice during our time together. Over time, the canines learn that suspects aren’t friends.
Q9: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
A: Working with a canine in a professional capacity was the most rewarding and enjoyable experience of my career. The bond I share with Robbie is unlike anything else in policing, and the adventures we had together will stay with me for life.
K9Force (2024, October). Watching Team Cobra from Afar: Reflections from the Home Team
© K9Force WDC 2024. For permission to reproduce any article in this blog, contact info@k9force.ca
Comments