By Hayley Young
Meet Leo, the newest trainee at the Glasgow Police Department. Leo is a little different from most officers at the Police Department; Leo has a wet nose, four-legs, and extra soft fur. He is a sweet 8-month-old Labrador Retriever who is currently undergoing obedience training to serve as a Therapy Dog across northeast Montana. Leo’s work as a therapy dog will include visiting and providing comfort to individuals who be used for, the breeder gifted Leo to Sergeant Dick. Essential supplies for Leo were donated by North 40 in Havre, and his food has been provided by the CHS elevator in Glasgow.
Leo’s training started as soon as he was brought home with crate training, and basic commands such as “sit.” At four-months old, Leo and his partner began the work needed to complete the first step in his training which was an online portion. He and Sergeant Dick are now working on the second portion, the canine Good Citizen Test. The test is a 10-skill test that includes:
have been through a dramatic event and children before entering or during court hearings and questioning.
The Glasgow Police Department has visited and revisited adding a therapy dog to the department over the last several years, but funding posed an issue so Leo’s owner and partner Sergeant Norman Dick decided that he would purchase Leo and handle the training. Leo came from parent’s who were bird and shed horn hunters. After hearing what he would be used for, the breeder gifted Leo to Sergeant Dick. Essential supplies for Leo were donated by North 40 in Havre, and his food has been provided by the CHS elevator in Glasgow.
Leo’s training started as soon as he was brought home with crate training, and basic commands such as “sit.” At four-months old, Leo and his partner began the work needed to complete the first step in his training which was an online portion. He and Sergeant Dick are now working on the second portion, the canine Good Citizen Test. The test is a 10-skill test that includes:
- Accepting a friendly stranger – Evaluator approaches and pretends to shake hands with handler (hands 6- 12” apart).v
- Sitting politely for petting – Evaluator pets dog; dog must show no shyness or resentment.
- Appearance and grooming – Evaluator inspects dog, combs or brushes lightly, examines ears and each front foot.
- Out for a walk – Handler takes dog for a short walk including right turn, left turn, about turn and stop.
- Walking through a crowd – Dog and handler walk close to several people; dog may show causal interest but not jump up.
- Sit and down on cue/Staying in place – Handler shows that dog can do both sit and down, then chooses a position, leaves dog and goes to the end of a 20’ line and returns immediately.
- Coming when called – With dog still on 20’ line, from Test 6, handler walks out 10’ and calls the dog.
- Reaction to another dog – Two handlers and dogs approach, pretend to shake hands (hands 6-12” apart), exchange pleasantries, then move on.
- Reaction to distractions – Distractions are presented; dog may not panic or show aggression.
- Supervised separation – Handler goes out of sight for 3-min. Dog is held on a 6’ leash.
Leo must be at least one-year old to complete the test. Sergeant Dick plans to have it completed in the next year. For now, Leo and his partner work on all the skills necessary to pass the test. He visits the local schools; the kids light up when they see him. Leo gladly accepts all the pets. He also accompanies Sergeant Dick on outings to get used to distractions, attention and loud noises.
Sergeant Dick shares that Leo does know the difference between his work leash and home leash and once his harness is on, he knows that it is time to “work.” Once at home with Sergeant Dick and his family, Leo becomes a goofy, relaxed 8-month-old puppy. Leo spends his days off with the Dick family enjoying fishing, running, and love from his kiddos at home.