Psychology, discipline key to training 'hero' police dogs

Great partners

Due to their outstanding performances, Zhang and Doubao came second in the police dog tracking category at the Wuhan public security bureau's police dog technical competition in June 2024, outshining over 40 teams.

"It was very rewarding. Upon returning (to the station), I gave him extra meals like boiled chicken legs and canned beef, and played games with him, " Zhang said.

The pair started training in November 2023, when Doubao was a mischievous puppy. "He had a playful nature. After he finished eating he would chew on wooden boards or carry a stainless steel tray around, tossing it and making a loud clanging noise wherever he went," Zhang recalled. "At that time, he needed to be sternly reprimanded."

Whenever Doubao misbehaves now, Zhang only needs to give him a look or raise his voice with a questioning "hmm" sound. Doubao immediately calms down or obediently walks over to him.

"Through our rigorous training and progress, we have developed mutual trust and understanding," Zhang said, adding his own life has changed because of Doubao.

"The most noticeable change is in my physique. I used to weigh around 100 kilograms. Over the past year, I have lost 25 kg because of running with him, and I have also developed a habit of exercising regularly," he said.

Before Doubao, Zhang handled a riot dog for three years. The Rottweiler was retired in 2023 and due to the limited need for riot dogs, Zhengdian station introduced two German Shepherds, Doubao and his sister Tianlang (wolf in the sky) who serves as a drug detection dog, for police work.

Zhang attended a tracker dog skills training program at the Wuhan public security bureau's police dog base for four months.

The Wuhan base, which was established in 2017, now houses more than 100 police dogs ranging from German Shepherds to Labradors and Rottweilers. The dogs are trained to undertake patrols, search for explosives, drugs and blood stain as well as tracking and other tasks.

From the day he took charge of Doubao, Zhang's mentor emphasized the importance of establishing rapport with the canine. Spending every day together, the duo quickly developed a bond.

Sometimes, when Zhang stepped away briefly, other people would notice Doubao behaving like a child afraid of being separated from its parents.

After two weeks, the pair began training on specific skills. Each day at dawn, they would head to a nearby forest for training. It would start with a game of fetch followed by basic commands such as sit, stand, lie down, and jump, before moving on to tracking.

"Doubao is very intelligent. He gets very happy every time he understands a command or learns a new action," Zhang said.

The duo would move between training grounds and forested areas, tracking items ranging from clothing and towels to cards, bottle caps, cigarette butts, and nails. They overcame numerous challenges, eventually leading to Doubao becoming qualified as a tracker dog.

In addition to search missions, the pair also conduct regular patrols.

Many passersby are fascinated to see a police dog on patrol and often greet the canine, take photos, and record videos. Doubao remains calm and composed throughout the interactions.

"Unlike the riot dog, which had an aggressive nature and was kept away from interaction with civilians, this tracking dog is quite different, serving as both a warning to and being friendly with people," Zhang explained.

The duo have continued daily training, which is adjusted based on Doubao's physical condition.

Other tasks include training to deliver a life buoy to a distressed person in the water.

Doubao will reach his peak performance at around four to five years and retire when he is seven to eight, Zhang said. The dog can either return to the police dog base for retirement or be adopted.

"Most likely, I will accompany Doubao until retirement, and when the time comes, I will apply to adopt him. I hope it works out," Zhang said.