How Puppies Become Border Guards

A rare dog gets to serve on the border. Shepherd Otrix succeeded. Photojournalist Vasily Fedosenko began filming this story immediately after the birth of six puppies from the shepherd Izolda and "led" the dogs before their future was determined.

(Total 17 photos)

Source: tut.by

1. Six puppies were born to the shepherd Izolda in October 2012. Every year, 70-100 candidates for the border service appear in the Smorgon dog training center of the border troops. Of these, experts choose absolutely healthy, not afraid of transport and people who love to play. These dogs are potentially suitable for service in the border troops.

2. At first, puppies are fed 5-6 times a day, then the number of meals is gradually reduced. Adult dogs eat twice a day.

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4. Puppies live together for the first few months. Gradually, the character emerges in the dogs and some aggression towards each other appears, so they are distributed in different enclosures.

5. March 1, 2013. Otrix goes to the playground. Puppies are trained for several months. Although, as the employees say, everything is very individual - up to a year the dog is still “raw”, and it requires constant work with itself. Only by two or three years the dog reaches the best qualities, subject to the active and constant work of its owner.

6. First, a general training course is carried out with puppies - the commands “sit”, “lie down”, “come to me”, etc.

7. March 1, 2013. Otrix and brethren learn how to overcome an obstacle course. At the border, dogs may encounter a variety of barriers, it is important that this does not stop them. At first, puppies need to be motivated: they use treats, as well as favorite toys. In this case, it's an orange ball.

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9. Gradually, dogs cease to be afraid of heights and fire. Otrix's mother Izolda in the cynological center not only gives birth to puppies, but also participates in various competitions, demonstration performances.

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11. Difficult moments in training - following commands at some distance, or, for example, working on the trail in the heat, when endurance is required from the dog. May 29, 2013.

12. After the general course, specialization of dogs takes place - employees choose already grown-up puppies for work with drugs, explosives, or work on the trail. Those puppies that are not suitable for military service are offered for sale to the civilian population.

13. In the picture, Oliya is a shepherd from the same litter in private ownership with the owner Ekaterina Smolenskaya. Part of Otrix's brothers remained in the center for further breeding, the rest were bought by "civilians". Sheepdogs cost 1.5-2.7 million rubles.

14. Otrix was chosen to work on the trail.

15. On July 18, 2013, Otrix, together with the owner Vitaly Timofeev, patrolled a section of the border near the Yarevo border post. Vitaliy has known Otrix since birth, he trained him himself, and then went to the place of service in the Smorgon border group, on the border with Lithuania.

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