Dexter, Cato, Reggie and Riggs Enjoying their Work Experience and Health and Safety Training at Puppy Class on Sunday

Our latest pups who are German Shepherds crossed with Belgian Shepherd Malinois all enjoyed their training session on Sunday. We started with a meet and greet with older dogs Qwendi and Lenny just to get them used to other dogs.

These pups are very high drive high energy pups and so we took time to let them settle and become bored before allowing them to integrate with each other and all went well.

Next as luck would have it our Devon & Cornwall Police men’s football side were playing at HQ and so, I thought it a good opportunity to get them all used to lots of shouting, bad language and grown men basically kicking lumps out of each other.

The pups were unfazed and seemed totally bored with proceedings. Like watching England these days.

Next it was over to the tracking field to see if they had remembered their last lesson in following the trail of a person ie tracking training. Cato is pictured here showing perfect form.

They certainly had remembered and all 4 boys tracked with real enjoyment and enthusiasm as they followed the trail of tripe drops. Dexter is pictured here tracking and wearing a tracking harness for the first time.

Next some puppy agility on the ramps. Reggie is pictured here coming down the ramp nice and sensibly and under control.  Angie has the lead short and has her hand next to his collar so that he cannot jump off the ramp and hurt himself.

Then we practised some recalls between myself and the handlers. This is such an important exercise as one day it could save the puppies life. Here is Riggs flying towards his handler Chris and then back to me again.

Here is Dexter charging towards Eamon for his liver treat. Sorry Eamon I tried to use my editing skills to make your posterior more flattering but some tasks are unachievable. Only joking just the camera angle I’m sure!

We then practised our recall’s through the tunnel the same way using our liver treats which they loved. Here is Dexter charging through the tunnel to Eamon.

Next we practised our sit’s and down’s very well demonstrated here with Angie and Reggie showing they have been doing their homework.

Finally some work experience in the Police car

then it was off for a final coffee and debrief after an excellent days training.

There is no doubt they are a feisty bunch and several of them are really testing the puppy walkers skill and patience. Their work ethic is not in question and provided lots of time is spent with them socialising and playing with them they will be fine.

Here are a few other photo’s taken on the day.

Lenny always alert

Cato relaxing

Reggie looking for action

Cato on the ramp

The Dreaded Hip Problems Strike Again This Time With Chaos

Last week all of the C litter pups underwent their hip x rays to make sure that their hips were fit enough to cope with the demands placed on a Police dog during their 6 to 7 years Police service. Sadly one of our most promising pups Chaos failed his x rays and can longer go forward to start the Police course in January. Here is Chaos on our last training day.

 

I am devastated for his puppy walkers Colin, Mitzi and their son Luke after all the work they have put in. We have had some great fun in our training sessions and we have some great memories. Sadly we now have to find Chaos a new home. He will make someone a special dog I have no doubt.

As I reported in my last blog my lovely German import Qwendi  has had her hip x rays and she did not have the required standard of hips necessary for a brood bitch. Our vet has stated her hips are still good enough for her to work as an operational Police dog.

I will now be training her alongside the current Initial Police dog course who have now completed 7 of their 13 weeks training.  She is going to make someone a very lucky handler because she is an outstanding dog.

My other young German import puppy Lenny is 6 months old this week. I purchased Lenny from Germany because of his outstanding tracking heritage and boy is he now starting to show his potential. Here he is tracking across a concrete car park which is not an easy task even for an adult dog but he just naturally seems to find tracking across any surface very easy indeed.

I am dreading the day I have to part with Qwendi as she has been a part of my family for the last 13 months and Lenny and I will miss her. 
Qwendi and Lenny relaxing at home.

well that’s it from me see you next time.

Paul