Police Dog Is Made at Ghent How

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A~a. tM.zeX\~
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How a Police Dog Is Made at Ghent
:Methods Followed in the Schooling of 'Belgian Sheepdogs
Could 'Be Used Successfully With Any Other 'Breed
By W ALTER MCCKLOW
of the
assuredh'
all should know-that
the
term "police dog" docs not indicate
any breed, but merely one purpose to
which dogs of various breeds can he,
and are, trained. Shepherd dogs from
Prussia, Russia, Alsace, Belgium and
France. together with various breeds
of terriers-and
various other breeds
and half-breeds - have heen trained
and used as police dogs.,
It is as ridiculous to describe anv
breed of dogs as police dogs as it
would be to describe a race of men as
lawvers or doctors or merchants. In
each case the designation indicates the
education or training and not the
blood, which, in both cases, is varied.
Regardless of the fact that the Belgian sheepdog is a farm dog, there is
no questioning the fact that it can be
trained to become an ideal police dog.
How this is done forms the basis of
an American consular report, written
by Harry \V. Diederichs, Consul-general at Antwerp, and H. Albert Johnson, Consul at Liege.
\Vhile the information applies particularly to the Belgian sheepdog. the
way the dogs are trained at Ghent
could be followed by fanciers of other
breeds who are anxious to have policetrained dogs. According to the report, the training
begins when the animal has attained the
age of ten to twelve
months,
before it
has contracted bad
habits. The character of the animal is
first carefullv studied. This is done to
ascertain whether or
not the dog wil1
obey orders when
given with kindness.
Violence in training is never resorted
to. Each action or
movement is distinct
and the same words
Of all varieties
are invariably used
most resembles
when giving the
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OST
of the readers
GAZETTE know
-
same command. For example: "Attack" is the order to fall upon anyone
who attempts to assault a policeman
in uui form. "Heel" is the order to
follow close behind. ."Down" is the
order to cease attacking. "Search" is
the order to look for.
THESE
orders are given with firmJlness, without raising the voice too
high, and whenever the order is carried out to the satisfaction of the
trainer, he rewards the animal with a
small piece of boiled Jiver or some
other morsel. A second order is never
given until the first has been well understood and properly carried out by
the dog.
The exercises are rehearsed dailv
and are general1y terminated by repeating one of the orders for which
the animaJ shows a preference. \Vhen
the dog shows any ill-wi1J he is scold-
TYI>ICAL GROENENDAEL
~.ariely of the
The mo"-t distinctive
Bell,!iao shcepuog is this long.haired,
often IlUre blarkdog
ed; 011 the other hand, if he showsgood-will he is encouraged and rewarded.
However, the dogs are never petted
to any extent. The whip is used as
little as possible, and only when it becomes an absolute necessity. The animals are never struck more than once.
It may he said that the whip is used
only on such dogs as are caught doing wrong.
\Vhen eight months of age dogs are
taken ant in leash. They are walked
through the most populated distrkt!'
of the citv to aCCl1stom them to the
traffic and noise. In the country they
are let Joose and are made to jump
ditches, fences, hedges, etc., while
being kept n ear
enough to their master to hear his voice.
The dog is then
taught to sit down
and stand up upon
command.
Orders
or commands are
always given
in
monosvlIables.
][F,,, henthe
MISTAKEN
FOR THE
SHEPHERD
DOG
of~BeIgian sheepdogs, theMaiinois.ashort.coated.brindle
the erroneously
called "police dog." The author
this variety ia beat suited for America
helie\'es
fawn,
that
animal,
running
from his trainer,
does not immediately obey the command to return, or
if he shows a hesitancy to do so, he is
tied to a cord of
about 30 feet in
length with a sort
of slipknot coUat.
The command
is
then repeated, and if
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to snap it, the tobacco is
the dog does not obey
given him instead and is
immediatelv
the cord is
well rubbed into his nospulled,
tb~ls tightening
trils.
If the first trial
the collar
around
the
does
not
give satisfacnetk and obliging him to
tion, it is repeated with
return to his trainer.
an
especially
strong
\\"hcn the animal thus
dose
of
tobacco.
It is
tied to the cord is first
claimed
that
after
stich
.ordered
to run awav
treatment
the dog will
from
his trainer,
and
not be induced to take
when
before
reaching
anything from the hands
the end of the cord is
of a stranger.
caned back by his master, and does at once reTHE
"attack" is the
turn, he is petted and relL
next
point in trainwarded for his prompt
ing.
The
dogs are nevobedience.
If, however,
er trained at night, as
the animal shows a hesione would imagine, altancy to return and inthough they are exclusists upon sitting down
sively used in the night
and
bracing
himsel f
LOOKING FOR VAGABONDS
service. \ Vhen teaching
with his forepaws,
the
A part of the training of a Belgian sheepdog is 10 seek and find
the
dog to defend his
undesirable
citizens.
These ugly customers hide in out.of.the.way
cord
is jerked,
thus
places.
Generally
they
are
found
by
the
dog
trainer,
the animal is altightening
the
knot
ways
muzzled
and held
around his neck.
in close leash. \Vhen the
Even
while
puning
animal shows signs of fear his trainer
The next lesson taught to future
the animal toward him the trainer will
remains by his side and prevents his
police
dogs
at
Ghent
is
to
lie
down;
continually
repeat the order until the
running away.
that is, to drop on the fore- and hinddog returns to him, when he is petted
As soon as the person simulating
paws, with the head held erect and the
and rewarded.
By proceeding in this
the attack approaches the dog, the
hody resting on the ground.
For this
manner
the animal
will gradual1y
trainer caBs out "attention." and when
movement the order "rest" is given;
learn to understand
that it is not the
a motion is made to strike the trainer
at the same time the trainer takes hold
intention of his trainer to punish him.
and to grapple with him, the dog is
of the dog's two forepaws with one
and in course of time it will become
urged to defend his master by now
hand, drawing them toward himself,
his second nature to return to his masusing the word of command, "attack."
and
with
the
other
presses
down
the
ter the instant he is so ordered.
If the animal is energetic, he will
haunches of the dog.
FINE
TRAINING
STUNT
Here is Dick Des Balard, who is very
proficient at both climbing and jumping, going o\'er fences nine feet high
October
1,1'128
THE
animal is kept in this position
lL while the trainer continually repeats the command "rest." The hands
arc then taken off the dog and the
trainer slowly recedes, pointing his
hand at the animal, thus teaching him
to obey and to "rest" at this simp1e
gesture of the hand.
Great care is taken not to allow the
dogs to accept anything whatevcr, especially when offered to them by a
stranger. A great deal has been written and said upon this subject, and
this part is considered hy the Ghent
police commissioner as being one of
the most important points in the education and training of the dogs. Very
satisfactorv results have been obtained
in this direction by using the following method:
A second person, an entire stranger
to the dog, accompanies the trainer.
He carries with him a smal1 piece of
chewing tobacco which is slightly
moistened with water. The dog is
then tendered a juicy piece of meat
by the stranger, but j list as he is ahout
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at once jump at the aggressor, and if
such is the case the person making the
attack slowly retreats, thus inspiring
the dog with more confidence. If, on
the other hand, the animal shows signs
of fear, the attack is repeated again
and again until he shows a rlisposition to defend his trainer. \Vhen all
signs of fear have completely disappeared, the dogs are taught to defend
and attack at the word of command.
The dogs are next taught to look
for vagabonds. The would-be vagahand hides behind a stack of straw or
hedge or in an empty barrel. The dog
is again held in close leash iw -his
t~~iner, while the vagabond, aft~r attracting the attention of the animal,
goes away and hides himself.
The
dog is then Jet loose and ordered to
"search," the direction that is to be
taken being indicated by the hand. If
he goes straight to the place of conccalment and barks, no further movement is made.
After this exercise has been repeated several times, the vagabond
hides in another place unknown to the
.
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dog. Then the dog is let loose again
and the order "search" is once more
given. If the trainer notices that the
dog is losing the scent, he assists the
animal by putting him on the right
track until the person has been located. These exercises require much
patience and are always rehearsed in
daytime, and it is only when the anima] has become more or less perfect
that the night work begins.
In training the dogs for po1ice service, they are first taught to defend
the uniform; that is, to consider as
their master only the person wearing
the uniform, no matter if this be transferred from one person to another.
When the dogs carry out the different
exercises to the satisfaction of their
trainers, they are caressed, and it is a
well-known fact that the dog is the
only animal susceptible to flattery,
consequently a strong hold may be
obtained over him by this means.
their work at' 10 p.m. and contilll1e
without rest to 6 a.m., when they are
taken back to their kennels.
Thev always accompany the same watchman,
and keep to the same rouneL In case
of the absence of the regular watchman, a substitute
takes the dog out,
and the very fact of his being in policeman's uniform is sufficient for the
dog to obey him as well as his custaman' master.
Fro~11 6 o'clock in the morning UJ1-
T
PECULIARITY
of the Belgian
shepherd dog is that instead of
running ahead of his master, as most
dogs are inc!ined to do at night, he
ranges in a circle, never out of hearing
of the voice or whistle. All the dogs
are thus trained to be f riend!y with
officers in uniform, but to be hostile to
all men in plain clothes.
The persistence with which the Belgian shepherd dog will stand by his
TRAINING
TO ATTACK
master is worthy of note. \Vhen anyThe dogs are never trained at night,
one passes the policeman, the dog,
as one would imagine, although they
though making no hostile demonstraare always used in night service
tion, will at once regard him with
marked disfavor. \Vhen, on the other
hand, a man pretends to strike the po- ti! 10 at night, the dogs rest in their
liceman, the dog becomes savage and kennels, each separated from the oth1eaps at the throat of the aggressor
er. This long rest enables them to accomplish their eight hours' service
with a fury that is fearfu1 to witness.
Though prevented by the muzzle
without fatigue. Being thus kept in
from seizing such aggressors, they will their kennels al1 day, the dogs see no
spring again and again at them, throwone but the trainer who cares for and
ing themselves against the chest with
feeds them, and in this way they have
sufficient force to knock down the no means of acquiring any familiarity
strongest man.
with the pub1ic. During night service,
A fifty-pound dog, well trained, can the watchmen never allow any person
easi1y throw a powerful man while on to touch their dogs or offer them anythe run. They dart between the legs thing.
with an upward spring and the man is
thrown.
ACH dog has a compartment in
the kenne1s built of brick and
The dogs run into alleys, behind
houses and outbuildings, and into the wood, one meter square, and a covered court one meter wide by three
thousand and one places where a thief
These compartments
may be in hiding, -but where a police- meters long.
man would never think of looking and are made so that the food can be
where he could not see anything un- passed to the dogs through an opening in the door in such a way that the
less provided with a portable searchdogs do not see each other, and con~
light.
At Ghent, the poJice dogs begin sequent]y do not keep up a continual
A
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16
barking, which would interiere with
their rest. The kennels are cleaned
daily and disinfected once a week.
The dogs are visited weekly by the
city veterinarian, and every sick dog
is promptly attended to. In close
proximity to the kennels there is a
smaIl dispemary. The dogs have two
meals a day, one at 7 o'clock in the
morning and the other at about 6 :30
in the evening. During the night they
get two slices of rye bread. The meals
consist of a mixture of broth, the meat
of beef's head, rice and rye bread. The
ration for each meal weighs 750 grams
-about 1 2-3 pounds-and
the cost of
upkeep amounts to about 28 centimes
-5}-S cents-a day.
HE dog's equipment comprises a
special muzzle, a eonar, a leash,
and a cover. The muzzle is formed
of a wide, deep mouthpiece made of
gnttapercha in which about twenty
holes, one centimeter-about
twofifths of an inch-in diameter, are cut,
and at the base of which is a round
opening of four centimeters in diameter, enabJing the dog to breathe and
drink easily without being able to pick
up food.
The mouthpiece is attached to a
strap which fastens round the neck
and is sufficiently loose to be instantly
taken off. Attached to this strap is a
loop through which the collar is passed
so that the muzzle may hang suspended f rom the c01lar when it is
pu11ed off. The collar is of leather,
five centimeters wide, with a ring for
the leash. The dog also wears on his
collar a copper tag upon which are
engraved his name, date of birth, and
name of the city.
The leash is a leather strap about
l}-S meters Jong, with loops at either
end.
One of the ends is passed
through the ring on the collar and the
two loops then held by two different
fingers of the same hand, so that it is
only necessary to free one of the
fingers to let the dog loose.
The dog's cover, which is made of
waterproof canvas, bound with 1eather, is fastened to the conar and under
the belly.
The first serious attempt at complete training of Belg1an sheepdogs is
usua11y credited to M. Van Wesemil,
the chief police commissioner of
Ghent, Belgium. After trying various
breeds, he selected the sheepdogs, of
which he used several varieties, such
as the Be1gian, French and Russiari.
(ContinI/cd on page 117)
the effort she has put into her kennels. For while Lassie is admittedly
a house dog, she came \vith the fairly
recent wave of interest which started
11rs. Dreer as a fancier. Lassie was
bought from C. C. Paine, of South
Royalton, Vermont, and New England dog people are rich in their praise
of the collies from these kennels. Lassie is far from being the best of these
dogs in ring points, but she has a wonderful disposition.
The owner of \Ventworth Farm is
glad that she took up the dog game,
although she admits that it was more
by accident than design. It seems that
the manager wanted a dog that could
be used with cattle and sheep. Since
these were ancient uses of the collie,
it was one of this breed that !lhs.
Dreer procured. The dog turned out
to be fairly good, and the manager entered it, from curiosity, at Atlantic
City, in a few classes. 1Iuch to the
surprise of everyone, the collie was
awarded a first prize. This fact interested l.,.lrs. Dreer so much that she decided to buy a few show specimens.
Thus began the Anahassitt Kenne]s
which, to-day, are numbered among
the foremost.
Their prominence must be credited
to .i\Jrs. Dreer, for she is a reany remarkable sportswoman.
To her, age
acts only as a glorifying element. It
should be inspiring to younger people
to witness the energy and progressiveness of the quiet speaking, charmingowner of \Ventworth Farm and its
e:x:cel1ent Anahassitt Kenne]s.
"T he place of 'Yacationing for your dog"
LUCKNOW
FARM
South Norwalk, Conn.
Under the personal direction of
EDWARD B. SPRAGUE
Where a limited number of dogs may have
sanitary housing, intelligent diet and regular
exercise in the open country. Descriptive cir'
cular upon request. Tel. NORwalk 1171.
BORRODALE
KENNELS
Mrs. GLADDING,
202 Meeting Street
Providence, R, I. (Winter)
(Summer)
English and
Champion
COLLIES--COCKER
Si'ANIELS
WiTe_Haired
Foxte"i.ro
Cham"ion
Dred
Siock.
Puppi.s
and grown dogs
for gale.
American
Studs
!'upsiromWinnillgSbow
Ditches
GLENGAE KENNELS
Denville Road.
Bnonton,N. J.
Aristocratic
~~* U"";.'~~,~. Co1L,\:E~,,~":.~""'~d~Yf~
~.d',';;;;,;~~"~~,r.,~.'tA~i~~':L\':,s,;g;'i;:
,.A..""ds,u..,.,...,..."",,;v...m'A..
'o".,d,"""..'.".
:~~~,~;: ~::rly~:;"'~'~o.\~'::',",
~",;':'t~~5
'.m
,.","," Ou..E.""h;n'..'..u.""
~""..."....
lODESTONE
).I..I,81,d.
HOW
A POLICE DOG IS MADE
AT GHENT
(Continued froUt page 16)
M. Van \Vesemil was not only police commissioner, but a lover of dogs.
He believed in training by kindness
only. It is said that if any member
of the police force was known to strike
a dog he was dismissed. The commissioner was the first to use a dummy figure when training dogs to capture persons. I-Ie also taught his dogs
to aid drowning people.
The Be]gian sheepdog presents
greater varieties than any other breed,
for in color it may he black, brown,
hrindled or gray, while the texture of
its coat may be long-haired, shorthaired or wire-haired, and the recognized varieties provide for each of
these. differences.
The varieties best known are the
long-haired black and the short-haired
brindle. The former, the Groenendae1, is, perhaps, the most distinctive
varietv, for I know of none with
which' to compare h.
While this dog is described as
October
1, 1928
Owner
KENNElS
M.".,.:.d;...
----
THE SAMOYEDE
White
Collies
S,lectod ~oung matron, bred to ~(o",."h "'!S.
!n~ Cloud. lie to 0 ,on of Ch,mp'on t,.ypUa"
!Jork Cloud. dam Cleopo".
While ~f.j",,,.
Tho fem.le, are from an liM,"ke", Une of
"Webre.dln..
Cla"y
white show and stud prospeet.
P"ppie< eighl ",eeks old
EARL F. SCOTT
i WILMORE
DOG
5000 years as hOl<sehold pet
For Sale -
Collies
Leonard's
Pal, black, white and tan,
II months old. Reg. Price $125.00
Leonard's
Laddie, sable and white.
11 months old. Price.. .$100.00
Leonard's
Sable Beauty, 11 months
old. Reg. Price...
$80.00
Leonard's
Prince, white, sable markings, 5 months
... $50.00
R. Y. LEONARD
pUPPIES
of charaCter and sound.
ness with g",nerations of the finest
show stock behind them; raised un.
der idea! conditions at one of th",
foremos! kennel esrablishmen(<; in
America.
LAlKA
IPSWICH,
KENNELS
MASS.
The Samoyede Dog at his Best
r7':HEtru.Siborian
Samoyed. 01 sledge
Vdogsoize,"thebigwhit"dogw;ththe
smile." i~ one 01 the kindest and most
inleUigentof
all dogs. suitable either u
house pet or ax work dog. He is not
related 10 the Eskimo or the Alaskan
breeds and has nothin" in common with
the little .pitz.
The Samoyede is hardy
in all dimates,
quiet. never sava~..
Pro.pective purchuers nol familiar wIth
the breed will do weH 10 invite information from The Samoyede Club of Ameriea
(member A. K. C.) which includes reliable breeders;n
aU parts of the country.
Add,."
Ih. club publidlJ d,pa<lme,,1
I
H. N. PINKHAM
IPSWICH.
MASS.
III
BOHRER
black, many excellent specimens han:
white on the feet and the chest.
This is no disllualification.
But a
pure black dog will command a higher
price than one with white, just as a
well-marked
foxterrier
will bring a
higher price than an equally good dog
badly marked.
The short-haired
fawn or brindled
dog, called the l\-1alinois, bears a greater resemblance
to the shepherd than
to au\' other breed.
The animal is
built .on rather
lighter.
finer, and
speedier lines than the shepherd, and
is perhaps more like the collie.
::\0
weight is mentioned
in the standard
of I-JOints.
All varieties of the Belgian sheepdog have the same genera! character
and aptitude. An)"prcierence
hetween
the varieties is a matter of personal
taste.
I am expressing only my personal opinion when I say that the
short coat of the l\lalinois leads one
to think that it may be the best adapted for our hot American
SU111mers.
This is borne out bl' the fact that the
::\-lalinois are used I;y Belgian officer,;
in the Congo, where these dogs have
thrinm for years.
KENNELS
Imponer and breeder
QUIN GREAT DANES.
of HARLE"
Imponed and American Bred pups
and grown stock for late at all times.
Bohrer
Great
Dane
Kennels
P. O. Box220, Allentown, Pa.
Pe"". Highway be/wre"
o"d Wescac"...ille,Po.
GREAT DANES
1,1
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I
IF you want the best 111Great Dane5
-vi;;it the Kenne]" with a reputation
for consistent winning at the leading
shows.
All OUr stock is farm raised-guaranteed healthy and fit for the show ring.
Puppies all ages and colors for sale.
Dogs may he seen in New York City
by appointment.
OFFICE
II W.42ndSj.
New York
""
D. G. HERTZ'
Brud.rand
Exhibir.,
-j
SHOW
GREAT DANES
FRENCH
AT STUD
Caesar v. Elsenztal
FEE ~50.00
Approved bi/cltes only
HILHOLME
Great
Dnne
Kennel,
A.TSTUD
Steinb..her'.
HANDSOME
FRITZ
Young "ad mat""d 010<11;
n,nnll.!o,..lo
German
FOXES!
i
each
m."th,
Shepherds
--At' P.di,,,,d
1\tI!!8!f'
L J), MEADE
!"'"TERCSTI;>;G .\NI1 PROFITABLE
SA~fE ::\ATURE AS DOGS
,., descriptions and prices, etC.
P"ppi"
Stud Sen/;ce
JOHNSTON
I
from
in/..",a,;a"
a"d a lid afstandard
I
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LAUD
page
29)
off the gas from a disconnected
hose
by grabbing
the hose in his mouth.
Bnt the finest instance
that ha,~
come to nlY knowledge
of canine
sagacity in acting the IXlrt of sentry
happened one time at a .~l!mlJ]er camp
situated on the westem shore of Lake
Cobbosseecontee,
which happens to be
the location of the 1Iaine State j',1\-J.
C.A. training callJp.
Cottagers around the lake heard the
harking- of a dog all.o]]e night and.
while n01l0(1)' paid mnch attention to
it, they did think it strange that the
harking should l'Ontinl1e all the nc:-;t
morning.
Finally, two men who happened to be employed at one of the
cottage.;; fell to wondering what all the
harking meant. and decided to start
ont to locate it. Proct'eding
in the
published
of
the
AT STUD~-Ch,
DOG"
by
the
Cilc VCII Mund!sdcrl,
J
. I.
iit.ralar.
an th
Sch. H.
I
FEE-$50
on I y
breed.
Subscription $3.00 per year. Membership due., including
"THE SHEPHERD
DOG," $5-$10-$25
per year.
F..
j
2625 5TH STREET, TUSCALOOSA,
ALA.
~
- ---=--
"THE SHEPHERD
monthly
magazine
official
club
of America
ercepU"K J"ly a"d Aagust, M 114i" East 21th St.
1I1i..;an Bell Restaa_ad, at 1 P.M.
-
W,ju
The
Club
M..tj"lskeide~"YfirstM."day
J. STEINBACHER
/'ilOn, Mn""ml;Te U5£
RIDGEFI£LD,N.J.
Read
-
Dane
Portehester
New York
President,
C. H. )hnllec;
noe.n..!den"
John
Hnrtmotz and C. R. WH1!,,,,,;
Sooc.tary_1'r,asur.c.
G. 1)'. Eg~.,t.
nu
93cd Stroot. Etmj,",""
L . I.
D.l..,ate
A. K. C., JoM aac'metz.
'0
THE ONLY GREAT DANE CLUti TIiAT
IS AI
MEMBEROFTItEJ\.K.C.
Grent
RETNUH
SILVER
FOX RANCH
Howl.. R. R., P. E. folnnd, Canada
ALICE C. HUXTER, Owner a.nd ",ranager
KENNELS
R. F. D., Box 124
King Street
STEINBACHER'S
RAISE
(Coll/inllcd
cel.brat,d Horl,qui" Cr.at
Do"e. rrcutiy imparted,
KENNELS
-;:;,;;;;!iamburg
N'''York
Tol.
Waoolnger
FolI'o7f32
MARSHALS
WAR DOGS
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br.ed,
ERX"ST OTTO
German Bceeding
;'Ilaster
",rite theSec'etary
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Writefarl>a_liculaTS
J, H. HODES, JR.
2608 a..dotte
St., K.o...
City, :>10.
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Donated
by Kathy Champine,
Sept. 2005