Training Diary

[Tubby]

The training diary is copied from the link below.



Tayside Police Website (http://www.tayside.police.uk/dog_section_diary.php)

[Tubby]

..........

Meet our latest recruit in the fight against crime. He's a six-week-old German Shepherd puppy and he is so new to the Force he doesn't even have a name yet!

One of a litter of seven pups bred especially for police work by Lothian and Borders Police, you can follow our new recruit's progress over the coming months on this special diary page.

[Tubby]

23 January 2008

Well hello everyone. I'm a six week old German Shepherd puppy and I've just joined Tayside Police's Dog Section where I'm going to be trained as a general purpose police dog.

I was born in Edinburgh just before Christmas as part of the Lothian and Borders Police dog breeding programme. I was one of a litter of seven and whilst I am still missing my mum Dixie a little bit, I just love my new police family. My new dad, Constable Mike Keenan, came to visit me in Edinburgh and it was love at first bite. He's been a police dog handler for a long time and I know he's going to look after me and train me well.

Mike has another general purpose police dog called Max. He's a German Shepherd like me and has caught many criminals over the years. I haven't been allowed to meet Uncle Max yet because I haven't had all of my injections yet. I reckon he'll be able to teach me a thing or two and have some wise words of wisdom.

I haven't got a name yet but Mike's wife Jennifer is a community police officer and she has asked some of the boys and girls at St Ninian's Primary School in Dundee to help come up with a name for me.

Today I went to visit my agent Sarah in the Media Office at Police HQ in Dundee. She insisted on cuddling me for hours and she's got quite a PR programme arranged for me. Mike and I had lots of photographs taken and Sarah sent them out to the media to announce my arrival.

It would seem I've loads of fans at Police HQ. Everywhere I went ladies wanted to cuddle me! It's a tough life but I guess some pooch has to do it!

[Tubby]

24 January 2008

I was up bright & early this morning. Mike's on early shift and, following lots of coverage about my arrival in the newspapers, my agent Sarah had lined up some TV appearances for me.

As some of the older dogs were on a training exercise at the Odeon Cinema in Dundee I tagged along and did some filming with GMTV and STV - Click Here (http://www.stv.tv/content/news/main/display.html?id=opencms:/info/newsTayside/20080121/Tayside_police_welcome_newest_recruit) to watch us all on STV's North Tonight news programme (opens in a new tab/window) . I got to play with my tennis ball and slide about on the shiny floor which was great fun. Apparently my tennis ball will become a big part of my training.

Uncle Max was also filmed by the camera crew. Mike tells me I'm going to grow up to be just as big as Max... that might explain these huge paws I seem to have.

I loved meeting all the camera crews and journalists. Early socialising is good for me as it will get me used to meeting lots of people when I'm out and about working as a police dog. I have to get used to all kinds of different people and places.

Once I've had my injections I will be able to go and visit the boys and girls at St Ninian's Primary School and I'm really looking forward to that.

[Tubby]

25 January 2008

Wow... I think I may have to consider a career change already and head for Hollywood! All this media coverage... move over Lassie.

Despite taking a tinkle where I shouldn't have yesterday, it would appear that I'm still a popular little lad and news of my appointment has travelled across the globe. My agent Sarah in the Force Media Office said that I had received quite a sack of fan mail and e-mails from as far afield as America and Canada.

I would like to say a special hello to Claire Drysdale in Victoria BC Canada, Laura Rait in Virginia USA, Isabel Weatherly in Texas USA, Renni Garrad in Berkshire in the UK, Susan and Harry Williamson in the Lothian area of Scotland, and Lesley and Hayley. My agent Sarah is still working her way through my fan mail but please be assured Mike and I get to hear about every single one.

One of the e-mails I received was from Harald Klungtveit, a journalist who wants to write an article about me in the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet. My mum Dixie is from Holland so I'm keen to keep up with my European connections. Sarah is going to send him one of my photographs too.

Well, it's Friday already and it's been a busy and exciting week for me. I'm off for some tea now. Royal Canin have sponsored my special food for the next year and it is yummy! I'll catch up with you all next week with some more puppy tails.

[Tubby]

28 January 2008


Monday morning and another busy day in the office for me. I’m getting to know all of the dog section handlers quite well now and Mike is sending regular progress reports back to Brian Thomson, the Kennel Manager, at Lothian and Borders Police. Brian looked after me and my brothers and sisters for the six weeks after we were born.

Mike keeps laughing at me because I like to carry my metal water bowl around with me in the house. Well, it’s thirsty work being a puppy and a boy never knows when he’s going to want his next drink.

I’m also getting plenty of practice when it comes to chewing things - and Sergeant Alison Ross who works with Mike in the Dog Section has the marks to prove it! We were only playing but she says I have teeth like little needles.

Anyway, I checked in with my agent Sarah at Police Headquarters this morning. It seems I have reached celebrity status. The web team have received so many emails from people all over the world asking about my progress. Even the lovely officers based at Alva Police Department in Oklahoma have been in touch to tell me about their Belgian Shepherd dog called Jony.

Apparently the Chief Constable also wants to meet me. Mike said that I need to be on my best behaviour when I do meet him because he’s the big cheese - I don't know what that means, but it sounds tasty! I’ll keep you all posted.

[Tubby]

01-February 2008


Well...doggone...did I get a fright when I looked in the mirror this morning...

Some of you might not know but us German Shepherd puppies are born with soft, floppy ears and it's only when we reach around eight weeks old that we develop sufficient muscle growth in our ears so that they stick up. It would appear that's what's happening to me right now and I'm starting to look more and more like a mini Uncle Max every day. What a handsome devil I am!

I worked a night shift with Mike and Max last night so I'm a little tired. Mike said that German Shepherd dogs were originally bred for herding and guarding sheep...don't know about that...but I think I’ll be counting sheep before long...zzzzz..

[Tubby]

February 05 2008


My handler Mike and Max (his general purpose police dog) have just finished another busy night shift and it sounded so exciting!

They were called to a factory where the alarm was going off. Mike searched the yard and Uncle Max found a man hiding on the roof. What a result! The next job was chasing a man who was wanted by the police. He made the mistake of trying to hide from Uncle Max but Max found him hiding in a bin shed - game over and 2-0 to the canine cops!

I hear that the pupils, parents and teachers at St Ninians Primary School in Dundee have come up with lots of different names for me. For every name suggested they are donating 20 pence to an animal charity which is great news because not every puppy is as lucky as me. Mike is going to select up to six of the best names and get the kids to vote for their favourite. My official naming ceremony will be at the school on Friday 22 February and that’s when I will finally get to meet the pupils.

I have to go to the vet on Thursday to get my next puppy injections. Mike said that my vaccinations are one of the crucial steps to help ensure I have a happy and healthy life. I know Mike would never lie to me. He is my master and the bond between us is growing stronger every day. I’m already recognising and responding to his voice. As well as having to interact with humans and other animals, I need to become aware of everyday noises such as cars, music, and even household appliances and one thing’s for sure, you never forget your first meeting with a vacuum cleaner! Mike said that I am already showing all the signs of becoming a great police dog and if I’m half as good as Uncle Max I’ll be a very happy puppy indeed.

[Tubby]

February 14. 2008



Well hello again, and happy Valentines Day to all the lovely ladies who have taken the time to write to me. Speaking of lovely ladies, I took a bit of a shine to the new cleaner at the dog section this week. Despite being a self confessed 'cutie' Mike said that I already have the full mouth bite that he will be looking for me to use when I become an operational police dog. I'm using every opportunity to practice my technique and the poor cleaner had to do her hoovering with me attached to her right leg. I also stole her dish towel and engaged her in a fun game of 'tug of war'... but she knew there was only ever going to be one winner... Uncle Max has taught me well... woof!

I've now been with my handler Mike for over three weeks. We have been 'blue lighting' it to calls across the Force area and working different shifts. I've witnessed at first hand Uncle Max catching some real bad guys. Mike also has a Springer Spaniel called Finlay. He's a very clever dog and can sniff out drugs, cash, and firearms. I'm certainly learning my trade from a couple of masters.

Remember I told you last week how my ears were beginning to go up? Well so does my weight! I'm not a wee ball of fluff anymore. On my first day with Tayside Police I weighed in at 4 kilos and since then I've more than doubled my weight to 8.5 kilos. Mike said I'm not chubby just 'thriving' and the extra weight gain is perfectly normal... phew!

As you all know I have yet to be given my official name. The kids at St Ninians Primary School in Dundee have collected in all their name suggestions and are going to be handing them over to Mike later today. Next week a decision will be made about what my new name should be! I get my final injections on 21 February, just in time to meet the kids on 22 February when my new name will be announced.

Right, time for brekkie... where is that cleaner.

[Tubby]

February 22, 2008

Meet Rebel


Tayside Police's latest canine recruit, a ten-week-old German Shepherd puppy, made a special trip to St Ninian's Primary School in Dundee this morning (22/02/08) where the pupils held a competition to name him.

Constable Mike Keenan, the pup's handler, was presented with hundreds of names and had to make the difficult decision of picking the winning name 'Rebel', put forward by Primary 5 pupil Greg MacBain.

Greg was presented with a book token and goodie bag for impressing the Dog Section team with the winning name.

Constable Keenan's wife, Jennifer, is the community liaison officer based in Lochee and she tasked the pupils at St Ninian’s Primary School to come up with some suitable suggestions. The pupils, parents and teaching staff donated 20 pence to the PDSA for every name suggested.

Such is the popularity of Rebel, the Force has received hundreds of e-mails from all over the World wishing him luck with his training. An on-line diary charting his training saw a staggering 20,000 ‘hits’ on the Tayside Police web-site in just one day alone.

Constable Keenan said,

‘‘We have been overwhelmed by the interest shown in our new puppy. Dog lovers from Australia to America have been in touch wishing him luck.

‘‘It’s fantastic that today I can finally give him a name after weeks of just calling him ‘puppy’. As soon as I saw the name I knew it was the right one because it just sums up his personality. Although he’s still just a puppy Rebel is already showing all the signs of becoming a fantastic police dog. He’s very alert and head strong, into everything, and is already developing a good gripping and biting technique.

‘‘I’d like to say a big thank-you to all the pupils and teaching staff at the school who have taken a special interest in Rebel and we will certainly keep in touch with them and let them know how he is progressing with his training.’’

Rebel came from the very first Lothian and Borders Police dog breeding programme. One of seven German Shepherd pups born in early December, he has now completed his course of inoculations, and is free to venture out onto the streets of Tayside.

Royal Canin has sponsored the new puppy and will provide the Force with free specialist puppy food for the next year.



February 27, 2008



Well... I guess you've heard the news by now... my new name is Rebel! Not so much 'Rebel Without A Cause'... but Rebel with big paws!

Greg MacBain at St Ninians Primary school put forward the name suggestion and Mike picked it out from hundreds of entries. Apparently he thinks it suits my personality... I don't know what he means... woof!

Anyway, Mike still can't get used to calling me Rebel. He's been calling me 'puppy' for so long! I'm getting bigger and bolder by the day and, now that I have had all of my injections, I can start getting out and about in the community more.

I went to St Ninians School last Friday to meet up with Greg and all the lovely boys and girls... boy did I get a lot of attention.

The pupils managed to raise over £50 for the PDSA by charging 20 pence for every name suggestion. The vet from the PDSA came with me to the school to collect the cheque. I know that the money will be used to help some other animals who are not as fortunate as me.

In the afternoon I went to visit my agent Sarah at Force Headquarters and I got a little too excited and left a calling card for her at her desk... oops.

Talking about surprises and getting excited, I've just discovered that I have a tail and I’m having great fun going round and round in circles chasing it…I’m easily amused you know!

[Tubby]

March 25, 2008


Hello diary readers! Well, I've been a busy boy since my last diary entry. Having reached the tender age of 15 weeks, I'm now weighing in at a very healthy 14.5kgs! Not only that, I'm now big enough to be sleeping outside in the kennel with the big boys Uncle Max and Finlay.

I've even been enjoying going for runs with the boys, especially Finlay. Technically, I don't run alongside Finlay, I prefer to attach myself to his ears and hitch a ride!

There was high drama and great mystery surrounding an incident in the office last week. Mike and the other dog handlers share an office with the Tactical Firearms Team. They were having terrible problems with their telephones and computers... in fact... their phones were completely dead. An engineer turned up and discovered that 'somone'... erm... I have no idea who... had chewed through all of the telephone cables. It was quickly repaired and no real harm done. Phew.

Mike took me along to Perth Racecourse where I watched Uncle Max and the four other general purpose dogs being put through their re-licensing by Chris Reid, an Instructor with Strathclyde Police. Uncle Max and the other dogs had to do some tracking, search for people in buildings, search properties, criminal work, as well as obedience and agility tests. I was chuffed to bits when Uncle Max and all the other dogs in the section passed with flying colours. I must confess I did get a little excited thinking that before long it will be me who is being put through my paces.

Last week I finally got to meet the big cheese. Chief Constable John Vine had his photograph taken with me and introduced me to his team in executive support where I chewed a few of the secretaries.

Constable Ron Anderson, who is the dog training instructor in Tayside Police, started me off on my basic training this week by introducing me to the principles of tracking. Like most dog training techniques, it's all based on praise and reward, which comes in the form of a food treat or my favourite toy... I think I'm going to enjoy this training!

[Tubby]

April 18, 2008


Hello readers... canine cadet reporting for duty!



I’ve had another busy spell with my handler Mike recently. We seem to get invited to lots of community events and functions and everyone wants to meet me. One of the events I enjoyed the most was a charity fund raiser at the St John’s Shopping Centre in Perth. Mike and I had a stroll through the centre helping the lovely ladies to raise money for charity. Lots of people stopped to chat to me and, for once, I was well behaved and did not bite any ankles…woof!



That wasn’t the case during a little puppy prank I pulled at home a few weeks ago. Mike had let me out into the back garden to get some fresh air. Little did Mike know, but his window cleaner had just arrived and was preparing to climb his ladder to wash the windows. That’s when I spied it…the magnificent leather chamois…oooh… the smell of the leather. Before the window cleaner could even fill his bucket of water I was off with his chamois and feeling proud as punch. He tried to chase me, as did Mike, but you have to be quick to catch the Rebelmeister! I may be getting bigger but I still managed to take my prize trophy and sneak underneath the kids’ trampoline where I had a good chew…yum. Mike eventually got hold of me and gave me a gentle telling off…but he was understanding…because I am being trained using a leather chamois at the dog section…and I am rather fond of them. I just can’t quite work out which ones belong to me just yet! It’s a tough life learning to be a police dog. Back soon with some more puppy tales…or should that be tails…hmmm.

[Tubby]

Jun 12, 2008


Woof! Hello there diary readers! Sorry for the delay in posting a diary entry but I've been very busy with my training. Mike has taken me all over the Force area into all sorts of new and strange environments that I have to familiarise myself with.

Speaking of new and strange environments I have now moved from being a resident within Mike's house and I am now officially a resident of ‘Chez Uncle Max’ in the special kennel in the garden. I have to say I love it and Uncle Max is a legend when it comes to catching criminals. I know they say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks but I swear Max gets smarter every day.

My boyish good looks are still working their magic across the Force area although I’m now weighing in at just over 23kgs now so I’m not quite so easy to pick up and cuddle... grrrrr. I’m six months old now too... doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun!

I would like to say thank-you to Sheila in Bonnybridge, Ruth in Bristol, Margareta in Sweden and Julie in Norfolk for all their kind e-mails. My agent Sarah is made aware of all the e-mails that come in and she tells me about every single one. And Sheila... yes my ears are very pointy... phew!

One of my puppy pictures in now being used to promote Tayside Police’s new non-emergency telephone number. It’s a photo of me alongside a telephone... dog and bone - phone... get it? I’d still rather have a nice juicy bone. My cute furry face will be on postcards dropping through every letterbox in Tayside over the coming weeks advertising the new non emergency telephone number - 0845 600 5705.

Anyway, must sign off for now but I will be back soon with some more up-dates. Until then, it’s on with the training!

[Tubby]

August 12, 2008


Hello diary readers!

Well, I'm now eight months old and weighing in at a healthy 28.8kgs... Poor Agent Sarah can't pick me up for a cuddle anymore... shucks!


Mike has been running me through some basic training exercises in preparation for my General Purpose Police Dog Course which is scheduled for February 2009. I love all my tracking, biting, and obedience work - mostly because the emphasis is on enjoyment and play with as much reward as possible for good work.


I'm finding that every week brings a new adventure in the police service but so far I'm taking it all in my stride. Even four night shifts at the T in the Park music festival didn't put me off the job. I loved King Tuts Bow Wow Wow tent and I even got to see Kate Nash although I was slightly disappointed to find out she wasn't related to my good friend Gnasher from the Beano. However, I was tickled pink to see a band in the Slam tent called The Black Dog... what a great name... woof!


I continue to be poor Finlay's tormenter in chief. Well, I’m too scared to practice my biting technique on Uncle Max... he's way too scary and I’m not quite brave enough for that yet!


Anyway, must dash... I need to see a man about a dog

[Tubby]

Sept 15, 2008


Hello diary readers. Well, it's a very sad diary entry that I write today. Uncle Max, my wise old mentor and best friend, has died very suddenly.

One morning last week Mike took us all for our morning walk and Max just wasn’t himself. Mike took him straight to the lovely vets at Parkside who examined him before doing some tests. Sadly, the test results showed that poor Max had a tumour on his spleen. They operated on him and, whilst he made it through the surgery, he died a short time afterwards.

I must admit that we are all still in shock. The big fella' will leave a massive void in all of our lives... literally... Finlay and I are already noticing how big our kennel is without Uncle Max sharing it with us.

Although I’m missing Max terribly he is still my hero and I’ve promised Mike that I’m going to be every bit as good as the great Uncle Max. Sometimes it helps to share my feelings with someone who understands what I’m going through and Finlay has been a great buddy.

I’m still a little too young to start working properly so Mike said that I would be getting a foster Uncle until I’m big enough to step up to the mark. So I guess Finlay and I may have a new kennel buddy before long.

I know Uncle Max will be guarding the gates in doggy heaven making sure that none of the bad guys get in. Rest In Peace Uncle Max

[Tubby]

update: 10-10-2008


Well, what an exciting week I've had. On Tuesday I went to see my agent Sarah at Police Headquarters. Sarah shares an office with Ken, the Force's Web Manager and Evelyn, the Force's Website and Research Co-ordinator. Unfortunately, Sarah forgot to warn them that I was coming to see her and well, you all know I can be a bit of a mischief maker! After bounding in and planting a big wet kiss on Ken (sorry Ken, paw prints on shirts are all the rage this year) I spied a round green object on Evelyn's desk which I thought was my tennis ball... only it wasn't... after a good chew I discovered it was Evelyn's apple that she was having for lunch... oops! For some bizarre reason - I can't think why - Evelyn decided she didn't want her apple back so I picked up Ken's bin and dragged it over to Agent Sarah for her to dispose of.



Now, I know you all think I'm a tough macho police dog but I do have a confession to make. I need you to keep this a secret because Mike said it will ruin my reputation, but Agent Sarah keeps my teddy bear on her desk for when I go to visit. Sarah reckons if I'm chewing on teddy I'm not trying to chew computer wires or ladies' handbags.



Anyway, in the midst of causing mayhem, I got to read some of my recent fan mail. Wowser... I can't believe I'm still getting mail! Thanks to everyone who wrote to pass on their condolences about Uncle Max. I'd like to say a special big hello to Kobi who lives inVictoria in Canada. Kobi is a Black Labrador and he lost his buddy to cancer of the spleen too.



A lovely lady called Sheila who lives in Bonnybridge in Scotland wrote to me telling me how much she enjoys my diary entries. I know you want to see some new photos of me Sheila, so Agent Sarah is going to arrange that soon. Let's just say I've grown a heck of a lot... woof!



And, you wouldn't believe it, but a university lecturer in Computer Science in China is even translating my diary entries into Chinese for a blog. Not sure what the Chinese word for woof is... hmmmm.



Mike has had a busy time of it too. You will remember I told you in my last diary entry that I would be getting a foster Uncle, a temporary general purpose dog for Mike until I am ready to start my proper training in February 2009. Well, he has arrived in the shape of seven-year-old Paddy, a German Shepherd from Manchester. He has a different accent from Max but I can still understand him.



Paddy isn't as patient with me as Uncle Max. I guess he's just not used to having a pup attached to him... maybe I shouldn't have been quite so boisterous on our first meeting but he soon let me know that he was boss... respect old fella. Mike decided it might be better for Finaly and I to share a kennel and for Paddy to have his own space... I'm thinking that might be a good move...



That's it for now diary readers but I’ll be back soon!

[Tubby]

update: 11/28/08


Well hello again diary readers. Boy do I have exciting news for you all! There is a new kid on the block... well, she is a cute blonde actually. Her name is Fern and she is a cocker spaniel.

Fern was gifted to us by a dog breeder in Jedburgh in the Scottish borders. She isn't going to be a general purpose dog like me. Fern is going to be trained to detect poisons and cash. In fact, she will be the first dog in Tayside to be trained to sniff out poisons! Only eight weeks old and already making canine history... looks like I have competition... woof!

I haven't had the chance to meet Fern yet as she still has to complete her course of injections before she can 'socialise' with the rest of us doggies, but my agent Sarah has shown me photographs of Fern which I have to say are very festive. They brought back happy memories of a time when I was small enough to sit in Mike's hat. There’s not much chance of that now!

I'm really looking forward to celebrating my first birthday next week. Can you believe it? The Rebelmeister is the grand old age of one on 3 December! I'm told that's the equivalent of seven in human years. I was hoping that Fern might be able to come to my first birthday party but I guess I'll just have to give her handler, Constable Ron Anderson, a slice of cake to give to her.

In fact, next week I am going to be very busy indeed. Not only do I have my birthday party but I will also be making a return trip to see the kids at St Ninians Primary School. They haven't seen me since my naming ceremony! I was a little concerned to see an appointment at the vets in my diary for Friday but Mike and Sarah have assured me it's not for any more injections... phew! Apparently, I'm making a special presentation... I will keep you all posted!

[Tubby]

update: 12/5/2008


What a fantastic day I've had! First of all I got to make a special trip to Parkside Veterinary Practice in Dundee to say a big thank-you to Gillian Nelson, senior veterinary nurse, who knows me quite well by now!

Mike and I gave Gillian a cheque for £100 towards the Breast Cancer Campaign. Gillian herself is currently undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with having breast cancer in July.

Gillian and her colleagues at Parkside always give me and my buddies in the Tayside Police Dog Section excellent care and treatment. Mike and the other handlers have a lottery syndicate and throughout the course of the last year they managed to win £100. Rather than keep the money themselves, they wanted to donate it to a good cause and none of us could think of a more worthy recipient than Gillian.

Together with friends and colleagues from the practice, Gillian is well on her way to raising £3000 for the charity….woof! Good luck with the fundraising and treatment Gillian.

To make a donation to Gillian’s Breast Cancer Campaign fundraising effort please visit www.parksidevets.com. Alternatively, you can make a donation at any Parkside Veterinary Practice in Tayside.

The day was rounded off with a visit to St Ninians Primary School in Dundee where I got to see the children who were responsible for naming me. It was great to see them, especially Greg MacBain who chose the winning name 'Rebel'. They sure did get a fright when they saw how much I had grown!

Now, after all that attention and patting today I think I need a lie down...