Cat test: final exam for service dogs (5 photos)

A bunch of serious, healthy shepherd dogs, with a cat strolling imposingly in front of them. It would seem, what could go wrong? A photograph of this scene has been circulating on the Internet for a couple of years now with the caption “The endurance test of German police dogs.” And people believe!





The same controversial photo.

Three dog handlers took part in writing this article. Yes, yes, this topic turned out to be quite complex, but interesting and debatable! One of the dog handlers works as a breed expert for a large canine organization and specializes mainly in German shepherds. What exams, tests and permits service dogs must pass and why they are needed at all - she knows this whole kitchen from the inside. 20-odd years in the subject, after all! The other two, although they do not work directly with police dogs, were also happy to help expose our photograph.



The soldier is sleeping, the service is going on.

So, through long conversations and many hours of searching on the Internet, we came to a common denominator: the situation in the photo has nothing to do with the real training of dogs for police service. And in general, this picture cannot prepare you for any service or work! “Cat testing” is not found in any official dog training rules. And there are at least 20 types of them!





So, Barsik, you’ve finished shitting your slippers, let’s sort it out like adults!

Moreover, no normal dog handler, even in private, would use such inadequate tests. What if some dog fails the test?! It’s scary to imagine what will happen to the unfortunate cat then! However, the absence of such a test does not negate the fact that working dogs should react as little as possible to all kinds of external stimuli. But how do police dogs become so calm?



But it’s already difficult to offend such a kitty!

Service puppies are purchased from specialized nurseries, where generations of watchdogs had an iron psyche and an armor-piercing character. Others simply won’t fit: no matter how much you work with a cowardly dog, he won’t become a gladiator. From childhood, children are taught unconditional obedience and calm reactions to everything. During classes, they make a lot of noise around dogs, drive cars, shoot, explode firecrackers, run back and forth, throw food and toys, take out other dogs, and stuff like that.



I'm still a pocket one, but soon I'll be a service one.

Dog handlers do everything (within adequate limits, of course) to accustom watchdogs to the maximum possible number of stimuli, and then to teach the dog to work ideally with them. That's why service dogs are so indifferent to cats, sausages, toys and other things that would drive other dogs crazy. They had never experienced anything like this at work!