Woof!
Police officers in Avon and Somerset, England, have been forced to learn Dutch – because three dogs they have recruited do not respond to English.
Three Avon and Somerset officers travelled to Holland to select the dogs, after struggling to find good quality animals in the UK. But there was a communication problem so dog handlers at the force’s dog section in Bower Ashton, Bristol have had to adapt.
The handlers which look after the Dutch dogs – two German Shepherds and a Malinoi – are now able to fluently speak the Dutch commands.
Which is the teacher and which is the pupil?
Thanks, Helen
“Which is the teacher and which is the pupil?”
It’s not like that, man: one of them knows how to read, the other one knows how to write. 😀
I thought many police/military dogs were taught commands in German or another language to keep others from issuing commands and confusing the dog.
Nice. Thats actually kinda cool
Well yes, many police dogs only respond to command which are not in english. Some because they are trained in other countries, some so that there is no confusion. But why is this a post? Ask a K9 unit and find out before you post such a common fact.
Mike the comment was rhetorical, and quite frankly I’ve found that common knowledge isn’t that common. I happen to know a breeder of Belgian Shepherds that specializes in guard dogs.
This is actually quiet common. I know that at least until a few years ago, the dogs at the border checkpoint in El Paso, TX were trained in German. This wasn’t a sercret, in fact I think I read it in the paper. Personally, I think they should train them in something really obscure like Navajo. Make ever K-9 unit a Codetalker. Éí ‘AaníígÓÓ ‘Áhoot’é
FYI most circus animals are trained in german also. This makes it easyer for handlers anywhere in the world to work with them. Sort of like french for diplomats and latan for chemists
Woof! woof woof woof woof? There enough said!
But why is this a post?
Why is anything a post here? Some days peanuts, some days shells…
and quite frankly I’ve found that common knowledge isn’t that common.
I’m a case in point.
I’ve often heard second-hand stories – normally viewed skeptically by me, because they all seem to revolve around “german” shepards trained to only respond to commands in German – but I thought is was funny that the Police were “forced” to learn Dutch because of this.
They’ve probably been using dogs trained in the UK for years – and which language those dogs are trained to obey is not specified – but this is the first batch of foreign-trained dogs they’ve had.
Most of the dogs in my neighborhood won’t shut up unless you yell at them in spanish..
german speaking dogs make alot of sense, think about it. as a cop, you wouldnt want to tell a suspect to ‘stop’ when your dog is about to leap on him. the dog would confuse the order and just wag his tail at the criminal. i know the local dept here in california uses german command speaking dogs.