Nevada Law Enforcement Dog-Encounter Training Raises Questions About Ongoing Preparedness

When law enforcement officers encounter dogs in the field, their decisions can have serious consequences for public safety and animal welfare. Nevada has established training requirements for these situations, but questions remain about how officers build on that instruction and maintain the skills needed to respond safely.

A recent News 3 report explored that issue through an interview with Dr. James Crosby, a canine aggression expert, researcher and retired law enforcement officer. His assessment of Nevada POST’s dog-encounter training videos was encouraging, but he also identified ways agencies could make the instruction more comprehensive through practical scenarios, discussion and recurring refreshers.

The conversation adds another dimension to the ongoing examination of how Nevada law enforcement prepares officers for encounters with dogs — and what happens after foundational training has been provided.

Training Beyond a Video Series

Nevada POST developed a five-part video series with the Chicago Police Department to provide officers with basic guidance for dog encounters. The videos take less than an hour to complete and are intended to give agencies an accessible training resource, rather than address every possible situation an officer might face.

Crosby described the series as a great foundation. He also suggested that agencies supplement it with more detailed scenarios, opportunities for officers to ask questions and practice responses, and periodic instruction to reinforce what they have learned.

Among the guidance covered in the videos is the importance of approaching cautiously and walking naturally rather than running. Crosby stressed that officers should almost absolutely never run from a dog.

That advice is part of a larger consideration: recognizing canine behavior and understanding how an officer’s movements may affect an encounter can be important when responding to an unfamiliar or potentially aggressive dog.

Crosby has developed a separate dog-encounter course for the National Sheriffs’ Association. Depending on the amount of discussion, the course takes approximately six to eight hours and incorporates interactive scenarios.

He acknowledged his own involvement in developing that training, but still characterized the Chicago-produced videos as a strong resource. His point was not that the POST material was inadequate, but that agencies have opportunities to build on the foundation it provides.

What the State Requires — And What Agencies Decide

A Nevada POST spokesperson told News 3 that the videos were made available to help agencies meet the state’s dog-encounter training statute when they cannot find another training option that satisfies the requirement. Agencies may use other training as long as it meets the statute.

The spokesperson also clarified that the statute does not specify how frequently the training must be repeated. Individual agencies can establish their own policies for additional instruction.

The videos are not part of annual compliance training, making it important to distinguish the statutory training requirement from an agency’s decision to provide ongoing refreshers.

Another training option appears in Nevada POST’s Acadis Portal. A course titled “Dog Related Incidents and Encounters” (P0000490) is listed among the available advanced officer courses. Its listing identifies an additional resource for agencies, but does not establish whether particular departments have enrolled officers or whether officers have completed the course.

Together, these details raise a practical question for law enforcement agencies: how will they ensure officers retain and apply the information when a dog encounter happens in the field, potentially long after an initial training session?

Why Preparation Matters for Dogs and Public Safety

Dog encounters are not all alike. An officer may come across a dog while responding to a call, approaching a property or moving through a neighborhood. The circumstances can change quickly, and recognizing canine behavior and responding appropriately can influence how an encounter unfolds.

Crosby’s recommendations highlight the value of training that goes beyond simply viewing instructional material. Scenario-based practice gives officers a chance to consider how they might respond, while recurring refreshers can help keep that knowledge familiar.

The issue has particular relevance in Nevada as questions about police encounters involving dogs continue to receive public attention. Dog Friendly Las Vegas previously covered the fatal shooting of Rocky, an eight-year-old Lab mix, by a Henderson police officer. That report examined the circumstances surrounding the incident and the questions it raised about police response when encountering dogs.

The recent News 3 report provides additional context on the training side of the issue, including the perspective of an expert who believes foundational instruction can be strengthened through practice and continued learning.

For Nevada agencies, meeting the training requirement is one part of the responsibility. How that instruction is reinforced, practiced and carried into real-world encounters is another consideration, with consequences that can extend well beyond the moment an officer meets a dog.