I found an interesting article about a doggie boot camp program in Thailand run by the Royal Thai Police. The camp teaches basic obedience but also trains the enrollees to become volunteer police dogs.
“If the dogs can work, they can help society and its owners’ family. This is what we consider our success,” said police dog handler Lieutenant Colonel Chatchai Setthipanlan.
“When dogs pass the elementary level, we train them on discipline, then after they finish the advanced level, we specify a particular field that we use for crime suppression tasks.”
The force has only 33 professional police dogs, and this is the second year the volunteer programme has been conducted.
Last year, only 20 dogs out of 300 recruits passed the three-month training course and were appointed as volunteer police dogs which, in case of an emergency, will be called upon to work in the area they live in.
Training stars with basic commands, such as “sit” and “wait.” Many pets do not go beyond this stage, Chatchai said.
Chaiwat Ruangkittikul, the owner of the talented Richy and Jame, was one of a few whose dogs finished the programme last year. Richy took part in guarding the cremation ceremony for one of the royals while Jame is in the narcotics squad.
“The program was initiated to make police dogs familiar with civilians’ dogs so they can be united. They (police) want to encourage people to help society,” said Chaiwat.
This year over 800 dogs have enrolled in the program. What a great idea, hopefully it will continue on to a third year.
