The mustachioed provocateur: how Tobik the cat trains dogs

At the training ground near Voronezh, the cat works as an assistant dog handler. Tobik is a natural irritant for dogs, to which they learn not to react. This "cat test" must be passed by every service dog before entering the service.

(8 photos in total)

Source: RIA "Voronezh"

Alexey Latynkin, a cynologist with 22 years of experience, told about an unusual method of training dogs and a cat provocateur.

Education of the "persistent Nordic"

A dog of a rare breed, Ka de bo, nicknamed Nord, was brought to a special dog training ground in the village of Maslovka to Alexey Latynkin.

The dog, despite its modest size, is powerful. Such a serious dog should be supermanageable — and this is what the dog handler wants from her. Alexey Latynkin educates the dog so that he does not react to loud noises, behaves as adequately as possible in an urban environment.

The hardest thing for a dog is not to react to individuals of the opposite sex during the mating season. It happens that it tears off the roof from some small dog or cat.

The task of the dog handler is to ensure that the dog does not react to stimuli. It is very difficult to find a provocateur who would willingly flash in front of the dogs' noses and test their patience. But Latynkin was lucky: he has an experienced assistant — the cat Tobik. He is not afraid of scary dogs — he seems to be playing with them.

The exam for the irritant Nord failed. As soon as he saw the cat, he broke off the leash and rushed after him. Tobik instantly flew up a ten-meter tree. But as soon as the dog was taken on a leash, he went down and continued pacing in front of her nose.

Canine friend and irritant

Tobik appeared in the Latynkin family in 2013. There were mice in the house, and a cat was urgently needed. Alexey was walking past a grocery store and noticed a nimble kitten that got out of the basement. Latynkin took him with him.

"I had three dogs at home at that time: a German Shepherd, a Thai Ridgeback and a Toy terrier. Everyone is already grown up and well-mannered. I brought Tobik, the dogs sniffed him, waved their tails affably. The cat wasn't even scared. I put him in a box — quarantined. After the necessary procedures and vaccinations, Tobik was released, and he began to live with everyone as a full—fledged member of a large family," Latynkin says.

The puppy of the German shepherd Zender loves Tobik and from excess of feelings sometimes drags him in his teeth. Somehow Zender was guilty: he ate a cake left on the table. As a punishment, the dog was locked in a cage. Tobik made his way to Zender and went to bed with him — as if out of solidarity.

"All our family members clearly observe the established hierarchy. One Tobik sometimes allows himself too much. But we are going to meet him halfway — he is a provocateur," explains Alexey.

The cat grew up among dogs, so he is not at all afraid of them, even the most ferocious, fighting breeds. Tobik calmly wanders around the playground, causing rage among the "ill-mannered" dogs. If they suddenly break off the leash, the cat takes off with lightning speed. For four years of "work" Tobik has studied all the dog habits and his escape routes. Not a single dog has ever managed to catch up with him.

If necessary, the cat can stand up for itself.

"They brought me a Great Dane once. Tobik went out onto the platform. The Great Dane was simply stunned by such impudence — his cats run around a mile. And Tobik went out and sat down opposite to lick himself. The Great Dane started barking, and the cat — zero emotions. The owner did not hold the leash, and the Great Dane rushed at Tobik. The cat instantly grouped and grabbed his nose. The dog fell into a stupor," Latynkin recalls.

A unique method. Or a cat?..

The owner of Tobik is very pleased with his assistant. Mice were missing in the house. In addition, there is no better provocateur on the service platform. Until Latynkin's wards stop throwing themselves at the cat, they will not receive a "credit".

"Once I had an argument with a neighbor who had a ferocious Eastern European Shepherd dog sitting in his yard. He boasted that it was impossible to enter his yard without his permission. I said I'd come in. He took Tobik under his arm. I come up, open the gate — the dog goes to attack me, I take out the cat and tell him: "Home." The cat takes off, the dog follows him. In short, the neighbor lost the dispute," the dog handler laughs.

Alexander Ivanov, dog handler, Head of the Emergency Rescue Service of the Voronezh Region