Training at Baden K9 & Tactical Schools teaches the proper techniques for deployment of a K9 unit. Training and attitude must reflect the desire and purpose of both handler and dog. The dog becomes an extension of the handler in all of the training exercises. The handler must realize how important it is to read a situation correctly. It is his or her responsibility to either commit, or abort the mission at hand. As an example: A handler may decide to use a dog as a decoy during a return fire altercation. This may seem like the obvious choice at the time. The obvious could, and often does, lead to improper decision making under stress.

In addition to stress influencing a decision, terrain, weather and wind conditions, as well as cover and incoming fire are all to be considered before committing a "team". The handler must be aware of his own capabilities as well as those of his partner. A handler is considered capable physically, spiritually and emotionally if he is in control in a stressful situation.

If not used effectively the K9 unit is bastardized and useless. We see untrained and unskilled use of K9 deployment units worldwide. Lack of training and the use of "sporting prey drive" brings chaos to intense conflicts. A barking dog would erase all possibilities of stealth and surprise, thus creating an ineffective and dangerous scenario. If a dog tracks and offender and bites his forearm, he looks impressive and this helps boost moral and confidence. This in turn increases the desire to use dogs in street enforcement. It is only after we dissect the exercise, adding and subtracting possibilities, that we gain proper perspectives as to its value, or lack of value, in a real life altercation.

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