Location: Stillwater, OK - Local Placement ONLY
 

K9 Lake is an 8–9 year old Belgian Malinois and an experienced detection dog who is currently training in SAR.

We are seeking a guardianship home, not a permanent transfer of ownership. So he can live as a dog, not in a kennel setup 24/7, while continuing his SAR work. This is a perfect opportunity for someone who wants a dog to spend time with but does not have enough time to fulfill their working needs.
 

What “Guardianship” Means (Important)

This is a structured working-dog arrangement:

• Lake lives with you as his guardian in a home environment.

• He will continue training and must be dropped off for training several days per week.

• He must be available for deployments and these often may not have advanced notice.

• Food and veterinary expenses are covered by us until he retires from SAR (estimated at least 2 years, health-dependent).

• If anything changes in your life or ours, Lake comes back to us immediately — no questions asked.

Lake at a Glance

• Breed: Belgian Malinois

• Age: 8–9 years

• Background: Former prison contraband detection K9; has known detection work his entire life

• Current Work: HRD training; preparing for certification

• Crate/Kennel: 100% kennel trained (wire or plastic crate) — settles and curls right up

• Best Fit: Experienced working-dog home or someone comfortable with high-drive K9 management

The One Big Behavior Note (Please Read)

Lake has strong barrier frustration:

• He cannot handle a barrier between him and his person.

• Examples: being in a fenced yard/run while you’re on the other side (not in the same space) can cause him to vocalize/scream.

• He is kennel trained indoors (wire/plastic), but outdoor runs/fenced separation setups are not a fit for him.
   

Personality & Daily Life

Lake is a serious detection dog who will search,  sometimes “invasively”,  because that’s the only life he’s known. He hasn’t handled “retirement mode” well. He needs a home that understands he’s still a working dog in transition and will benefit from structure, purpose, and clear routines.
 

Ideal Guardian Home

We’re looking for someone who can offer:

• A home environment (not primarily outdoor kennel/run living)

• Comfort using a crate appropriately (Lake is great with this)

• Willingness to coordinate ongoing training days and SAR deployment availability

• Experience with working breeds preferred but not required for Lake.

• Ability to communicate clearly and collaborate as part of a working K9 team
   

Interested?

Please reach out with:

• Your location and household setup (home/yard/crating plan)

• Your schedule flexibility for training/deployments

• Any experience with dogs

• Any other pets (types/sizes)

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Contact: Teresa Pankratz — (918) 946-7218 ​