Bakersfield Police Department prepping for K-9 Trials set for Saturday at Rabobank Arena

The Bakersfield Police Department is set to host their annual K-9 Trials Friday and Saturday at Rabobank Arena.

The annual event donates a portion of all proceeds raised to a local charity. 

The public is invited to attend Saturday as K-9's and their handlers showcase their skills. 

One pair that is competing is Bakersfield Police Senior Officer Chris Dalton and his K-9 partner Bronx. 

The two have been together on the force for eight years. 

Senior Officer Dalton said the two spend almost all of their time together since they work and live together.

"I probably spend more time with this dog than I do my own family," he joked. 

The two work together five days a week and train for an hour or two each shift. 

In addition, K-9s go through 20 hours of required training every month. 

"It’s never enough with these dogs. We train, train, train," said Senior Officer Dalton. 

On Saturday all of that training will be put to the test and the goal is perfection.

The officer will lead the K-9 officer through multiple categories. The teams will be judged in courses of obedience, agility, building search, area search and protection.

BPD officers won't be competing for any of the awards because they already know the scenarios and it would give them an unfair advantage against other agencies. 

Instead, they'll be competing against each other for bragging rights. 

"You get riddled for about a year if you don't win this thing," said Dalton. 

This isn't the first time the two will be competing in a K-9 Trial. The two have been to nearly a dozen K-9 Trials and took home top dog honors at a competition in Kingsburg several years ago. 

Going into this weekend Senior Officer Dalton said they’re feeling confident about coming out on top once again. 

“He’s one of the most experienced dogs we have, it just depends on what kind of day he’s having. Dogs can have bad days just like we have bad days, so you just hope for the best, give him some good rest the night before and be ready to go," said Senior Officer Dalton. 

The community can see Senior Officer Dalton and Bronx competing for the first time in the BPD K-9 Trials at Rabobank Arena Saturday.

Doors open at 8 a.m. and the competition goes on until 5 p.m.

McGruff the crime dog, the SWAT booth and bomb squad will all be in attendance.

There is a suggested $2 donation per person.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Lauren Small Children’s Center.

For more information about the K-9 Trials, click here.