From Shelter to Search
Future Search Dogs
Category 5 K9 works with shelters, rescues, and owners to identify dogs that have the potential to become working canines. Category 5 K9 works with these dogs to find a job they will excel at, whether that is search and rescue, narcotics detection, or service work.
What kind of dog does it take?
Confident and Bold
These dogs should be confident when traveling to new locations and meeting new people. They never hesitate when going somewhere new and boldly explore any environment they visit. These dogs aren’t afraid of loud noises or strange people.
Healthy and Athletic
CAT 5 K9’s are healthy and high energy young adult dogs, between 9 months and 2 years old. These dogs tend to get into trouble climbing on and over things they shouldn’t.
Love for Toys
Our working dogs work for one thing: their favorite toy! These pups carry toys around in their mouth all day long if they are allowed to. They enjoy games of fetch and tug-of-war.
Desire to Search
Along with that love for toys, these dogs will search for their toy if you hide it forever. If you put their toy up on a high shelf they will keep working to try to find creative ways to reach it. And if you throw their toy into the woods they will hunt for it without getting distracted until they find it.
At Category 5 K9 we think it’s important to help dogs in shelters and rescues find jobs that would suit them. Many times dogs that have potential as working dogs do not make good family pets. These dogs are often adopted and returned to the shelter or re-homed multiple times. Our screening process is designed to help rescue and shelter staff and volunteers find dogs that may be good candidates for our program.
Category 5 K9 accepts dogs:
Approximately 9 months to 2 years old
Any breed but 30lbs or larger
Confident, environmentally sound
No aggression issues
Toy motivated or toy obsessed
Exceptions to size and age requirements may be made on a case-by-case basis.
Screening Test Videos
