What does it take to be in the K9 officer unit?

[larry]

Recently I have been thinking about joining the police department because, this may sound nerdy but I play games online that require you to role play like you are in real life and in most of these games I am an officer and I have grown to the fact that being apart of the law enforcement has really implemented on my mind. (These games are on San Andreas Multiplayer and grand theft auto 4)

So after about a week of researching and what not i learned that my local police department has a K9 unit, which i love dogs and having a k9 partner would be pretty cool. So I was wondering what it took to be in this unit and what training do you go through?

Before you state that these are just games, I do realize the dangers in real life and I am willing risk my life for the safety of others.

[seme22]

In general.
You need to be a police officer with the department that you wish to become a K9 handler with. You need to, as a police officer, perform with excellence for a couple of years, minimum. Then when the department needs K9 handlers you may be allowed to apply. If picked they send you to a training facility where you are paired with a dog who is partially trained. You then, at the facility, work with the dog and instructors for a month or so, depending on what you dog is trained to do.
If you make it through the training you go back, with your dog, as a handler.

You and your dog are taken off the street at least once a month for special refresher training.

[dacy17]

It helps if you are a dog.