Book excerpt: Understand, oversee, and develop a police-dog program that excels Learn: - The five fundamental factors for running a successful unit, and why some K9 units fail - How to mitigate liability issues - How to select the right dogs and handlers - How to handle budgets and deal with police-dog vendors - Current training trends and how to develop a positive K9 unit culture K9 units are on the front line for every dangerous and in progress call, and it’s up to the unit manager to ensure officers have the best possible dogs, equipment, and training for them to do their job and help mitigate the related risk. Robert Eden, a retired 28-year police veteran with extensive experience as a K9 handler and trainer, provides police departments with a template for the successful development and supervision of police-service dog operations. It provides a wealth of information for supervisors who have limited or no experience with police dogs, as well as new ideas and expert recommendations for those with an extensive K9 background.