Dogs are too soft to become police dogs

Police dogs play a vital part in fighting crime as they can do the work of eight officers in detecting explosives, tracking runaways, and finding evidence at a crime scene.

However there are not enough dogs in Britain to train as police dogs as they are too pampered. The police are resorting to importing dogs from abroad.

Celebrities have set the trend for carrying their small dogs where ever they go and are blamed for encouraging the latest generation of lazy dogs.

According to dog trainers, dogs are losing their basic instincts, and they lack motivation and drive which they need to become police dogs.

Nationwide, police forces are paying up to £4,000 to bring Alsatians to the UK from countries such as Holland, Slovenia, Germany and Belgium . These dogs have already been reared to have a work ethic.

Currently 10 per cent of the 2,500 police dogs in the UK are from Europe .

Inspector Dave McIver, head of Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s dog unit said, "Police work requires a bold, alpha-male sort of dog.

"It’s not that there are no good dogs in the UK, but it is a problem finding the right ones. When we were testing 48 British dogs, we would throw a ball and some of them would simply watch it bounce, then lie down.

"We also want to know if the dog will use its nose, so we throw a ball or a favourite toy into long grass. The best dogs have an instinct to hunt but some of these dogs went for 30 seconds, then cocked a leg and said ‘I’ve had enough,’ and lay down."

Baz Woods a dog handler with West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said, "There are problems and I know police are paying lots of money to get the right dog. But this is because society is changing and dogs are expected to behave like machines.

"The reject rate is very high now. The fact that a lot of them aren’t perfect doesn’t make them delinquent.

"They also have to be on the right side of the law. Ten years ago the odd nip wouldn’t have mattered too much. These days if a handler’s dog bites he will have his day in court."

Katy Geary RSPCA spokeswoman said, "It is very important to keep a dog’s instincts intact. Over-feeding them or feeding them the wrong kind of food causes problems of obesity .

"Celebrities such as Paris Hilton who carry their dogs everywhere are encouraging bad behaviour.

"They give the animal the sense of being elevated. This can give them king of the castle mentality and cause problems with aggression."

A recent report by the RSPCA reveals that dogs are being given a lot more than just dog food when it comes to feeding time and treats, thesde include chocolate, curries, English breakfasts and burgers and chips.

Joyce Stuart, pet psychologist said, "I dealt with a terrier which had its own luxurious room. It was seen as a child, so it became dominant in the household and was very aggressive.

"Treating pets as family members can lead to physical and psychological problems."