Brigada Canina. ¿Cómo es el trabajo de estos peluditos?

If we take a look at the different institutions in the country, we can observe some workers with very unusual skills, but so effective and even with a touch of tenderness...
This #PetTuesday is dedicated to all service furry friends.
Who was the first dog to help in an operative task?
How are the furry friends cared for within the institutions?
What kind of work do they do?
How is their retirement?

In the institution of Carabineros de Chile, the help of these furry friends began in 1914 with FRITZ, an example trained for apprehending criminals and tracking.
Including them in these tasks yielded great results, which led to the creation of the Canine Training School on 01/30/2007.
Similarly, the PDI uses the help of highly specialized dogs to complement operational tasks in various service areas.

How are these furry friends cared for?

There are very modern facilities for canine shelter in each institution, complemented with a veterinary clinic and climate-controlled kennels.
Their diet is controlled by veterinarians who, depending on physical activity, regulate quantities and portions in addition to the quality of the food.

What is the purpose of the furry friends?

Their tasks usually involve searching for and detecting explosives and drugs, tasks they perform very well thanks to their super-developed sense of smell. They can perceive between 8 and 9 different odors, which helps with different types of drugs.

What is the training?

First, the furry friend must know himself, learn to communicate and interpret with the human handler. Compatibility between the two is fundamental, which will also depend on the physical qualities of the person and the physical qualities of the dog, given that some breeds are more powerful than others.
Their human handler also receives specialized training lasting 4 months, in addition to extra courses depending on their specialty.

For drug and explosive detection training, they are taught to understand that a substance X is located, which, together with the human handler, performs a certain behavior, and in return, their effort is rewarded with their favorite toy or preferred snack.

When can the furry friend retire from their duties?

It will depend a lot on their breed, but they normally work until they are 8 years old. After this, they must retire as their perceptual qualities diminish, or they retire early due to illness.

After being retired, a family is sought for them according to the furry friend's profile that can give them the love and care they need. This is done through the same institution or a foundation.
Sometimes even the human handler adopts them because the trust between them for such a long time is unbreakable.

Do you know any furry friend who works or has worked in an institution?