Handlers talk to dogs in German

British police dog handlers are learning to give orders to their animals in German after bosses decided to import Alsatians because of a shortage of suitable animals here.

Jan 17, 2008
By Andrea Perry
Matt Jukes

British police dog handlers are learning to give orders to their animals in German after bosses decided to import Alsatians because of a shortage of suitable animals here.

A trial of the German dogs from Berlin by Derbyshire Police was deemed a success, prompting 16 other forces to recruit the canines at £2,000 each.

Officers are taught basic German commands including “sitz” (sit), “platz” (down), “aus” (let go), “holen” (fetch) and “bissen” (bite).

One dog handler from Derbyshire constabulary said: “If you say ‘let go’ in English, they just look at you like you are crazy.”

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