|
Police dogs in Sweden, as in many other countries, are mainly German Shepherd.
But some Rottweiler, Schnauzers and Malinos are used.
Sweden has about 367 dogs
for patrol, narcotic, explosive,
water and mountain/avalanche search.
In order to be a Police Dog in Sweden, the dog has to be 17 months.
Some dogs are owned by their handlers while others are owned by the police
force.
As the police force in Sweden is a state institution all veterinary care and
medicines
for police dogs are paid indirectly by the state irrespective of dog ownership.
An allowance
is also given for dog food and wear and tear in the home.
Whether you own the dog or
not you always take it home with you.
One dog, one handler.
TEST 1
For a dog to go into service it has to pass a test.
The test consists of an attack
which the dog must stop, using force.
The dog must then guard the attacker while
the handler searches him.
Subsequently the attacker is transported in the company
of the dog
under which time the handler must have the dog under complete control.
The dog must also find and follow a track which is about 1 hour old and 1 km
long.
The last part of the test is obedience where the dog must,
without reservation,
follow the handler both with and without a lead.
When the dog has passed all tests it can start active service,
but only with
limited duties.
After passing the first test the handler has 2 years to train the dog
to become
a fully qualified service dog. (Test 2).
TEST 2
The obedience competitions
include 13 exercises with more dogs down,
shooting unaffected, heal on lead, walk in front, heel free, down,
stand, creep, send away and recall, 2 times retrieve, speak (bark), jump over
a hedge,
down and return on call, and sit, call from 50 meters.
Track
- 2 hour old and 2 km. 6 small articles in the track and 1 bigger who
points out the end of the track. 40 minutes to the tracking.
Scene of crime
- 50 x 50 meters, 4 small articles, 10 minutes to the search.
Search
for two suspects in a part of the wood 100 x 300 meters,
one of the suspect is hidden. The handler walks on a road in the middle of the
area.
When the suspect is found, the dog has to bark and contain the suspect.
20 minutes to the search.
Search in building.
Building 300 - 500 square meter, if possible dark.
One hidden suspect. When the suspect is found,
the dog has to bark and contain the suspect. 15 minutes to the search.
Criminal work
(escaping criminal) Handler challenges suspect .
Dog holding suspect. Chase and stand-off. Escort of the suspect.
Under the escort a hidden suspect attacks the handler.
The dog must then guard the attacker while the handler searches him.
After 10 sec the attacker tries to escape, the dog must stop the attempt to
escape.
At last escourt of the two suspect.
Send and recall.
Chase in face of gun fire.
When the dog is fully qualified further training can be given.
E.g. narcotics search, body search, weapon search. These are voluntary.
ANNUAL CHECK.
Besides the tests above, we also have an annual check of the dogs.
The check lasts for three days and the dogs are checked in each moments.
If a dog should fail in any of the moments, the doghandler has 2 month
to train the dog to make it pass. Otherwise the dog will be taken "off
duty".
Rottweiler with a tail?
In Sweden you are not allowed to crop tailīs.
In july 1989 we got a new law against croping tailīs.
Dogs such as Rottweiler, Dobermann and Schnauzers has nowadays tail.
Personally I think itīs much easier to understand and handle the dog.
The dog "talks" to me with his tail.
|
