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Dog's blog - Answers to questions
If you want to ask Lukas or Paul a question please click here
Hi Paul and Lukas,
I really enjoy your blog, it always puts a smile on my face.
How does one go about becoming a dog handler these days? It sounds like a wonderful job.
I love Lucas's half bent ear although by now I imagine it's fully erect - he is no longer a baby! Happy/sad - they grow so fast.
Best,
Dijana Maric
Hi Dijana,
Thanks very much for your question. To become a dog handler you have to be a regular police officer out of your probationary period, which is about two years after you qualify. There is then a 3 day assessment to actually get into the dog unit team. So as you can imagine, a lot of work and dedication goes into becoming a dog handler.
Many thanks and yes his ears are very nearly there now!
Paul and Lukas x
Hi Lukas,
I really enjoy reading your Dog's Blog. Hope your Dad Paul takes good care of you. What time do you and your Dad start work? How many times a day are you fed and does Dad give you some nice food and plenty of water? Hope you do grow to be a good police dog, maybe we will see you on the TV in the future on one of the Police Dog programmes!
Good luck, Irene.
Hi Irene,
Thanks very much for your question. The time we start work varies. Although Lukas is not operational, his two brothers George and Yeoman are! So, he does early, late and night shifts. Where we go, he goes basically! He is fed a nice hearty meal twice a day, once in the morning and once last thing at night.
From Paul.
Hi,
I would like to know if the dogs stay with their trainers after their working career is over. Also Lukas there is nothing wrong with big ears!
With Kind regards
Clare
Hi Clare,
First of all thanks for your question. Most if not all the dogs stay on as pets with their handlers when they retire, they are still provided for by the force in relation to veterinary care and food.
Lukas's ears are nearly fully erect and he is very proud of them!
Hi Paul and Lukas,
Lukas looks cute. What type of "purpose" dog is he going to be? As in, is he going to be an explosive search dog, drug sniffing dog, general purpose?
We used to have a pair of German Shepherds but they would never have been appropriate for your job despite years of training.
Janek
Hi Janek,
Once again, thank you for your question. Lukas will be a general purpose police dog.
This means his role will be to search for and track criminals or search for missing people. He will detain fleeing suspects - for example, we may be called to a burglary in progress and the suspect might be running from the scene. Lukas would be expected to chase and stop the suspect so we can make an arrest.
He will also search for property and assist officers with public order offences (crowds getting rowdy or rioting) as well as crowd control, such as at football matches.
He will also protect his handler, who he will forge a close bond with throughout the training process.
Hi,
I have a 3 yr old English Springer, he is very intelligent but will not walk properly on lead. I have tried all sorts of leads to no avail. I also have a problem with him barking at larger dogs, he mixes with the ones he knows but at a strange one he goes mad. He has been attacked 3 times by a Retriever so think that is what is causing it. It does get embarrassing at times. Have you any tips on how I could rectify this problem? Hope Lukas is doing well, would love to meet him! Good luck to you both.
Gordon
Dear Gordon,
Sorry to hear about Alfie's experiences with other dogs, I am afraid it sounds as though it is a problem that won't go away as Alfie sounds traumatised by previous incidents. All I can suggest is distracting him in some way with treats whenever you see a strange dog. Keep this up, (it takes time!) and hopefully he will begin to associate the bad experience with good! Good luck, and let us know how you get on.
Paul
