Matt takes highly driven and motivated dogs that have become too much for their owners to handle and trains them up before rehoming them in the most appropriate working environment for each dog. 

Over the past few years Matt has seen a trend towards the purchase of working line German Shepherds as family pets. Unfortunately this doesn’t always end positively for the dog or the family as the working drive in the dog can become too overbearing and overpowering. 

Matt can step in to assess your dog’s suitability to be retrained for a role in law enforcement or corrections which, while sad for your family in the short-term could be best for your beloved furry friend in the long-term. 

If your pet is simply too much for you and you would like to see them rehomed, Matt can assist as he knows what to look for in dogs best suited to roles in law enforcement and corrections. 

What we look for in dogs who would be suited for roles in law enforcement

• A high ball, play and retrieve drive: This aids in the teaching of tracking and obedience, and searching for articles. 
• A high food drive: If your dog loves their food, this also helps train them in tracking and obedience. 
• A strong grip: If your dog likes to play tug of war and does not like to let go, this could help us teach them bite work. 
• Environmentally sound: Is your dog at home on slippery floors, up and down stairs, and at heights? 
• Agile, fit, and athletic. 
• Of sound health. 

Agencies looking for trained working dogs can trust in the Performance K9 guarantee! 

Matt provides his working dogs with the fundamental skills and operational awareness required for a seamless transition to an agency, including: 

• Grass, dirt, and hard surface tracking. 
• Obedience on and off lead with the commands of sit, down, stay, come, heel on the move, and to position and recall. This can also be progressed to tactical obedience with tactical movement and commands. 
• Bite work, hidden sleeves, bite suits in all types of scenarios. 
• Building and article searches. 
• Swimming and excellent environmental awareness. 
• Sound kennel habits.