A cat raised among dogs works as a "provocateur" in a service dog training center

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

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

A dog of a rare breed - "ca de bou" named Nord, was brought to the special area for dog training in the village of Maslovka to Alexei Latynkin.

The dog, despite its modest size, is powerful. Such a "serious" dog should be super-controllable - and this is what the dog handler wants from it. Alexey Latynkin brings up the dog so that he does not react to loud sounds, he 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" period. It happens that "blows 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, of his own free will, would 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 terrible dogs - he seems to be playing with them.

Nord did not pass the "irritant" test. As soon as he saw the cat, he jumped 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 to pace in front of her nose.

Canine friend and irritant

Tobik appeared in the Latynkin family in 2013. Mice started up in the house, and a cat was urgently needed. Alexey walked past a grocery store and noticed a nimble kitten that crawled out of the basement. Latynkin took him with him.

- At that time, I had three dogs at home: a German shepherd, a Thai ridgeback and a toy terrier. All are already adults and educated. I brought Tobik, the dogs sniffed him, wagged their tails affably. The cat was not 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, says Latynkin.

German shepherd puppy Zender adores Tobik and sometimes drags him in his teeth out of excess of feelings. Somehow Zender was guilty: he ate the 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.

- In our family, all family members strictly adhere to the established hierarchy. One Tobik sometimes allows himself too much. But we are going to meet him - 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 site, causing rage among the "ill-mannered" dogs.

If they suddenly break off the leash, the cat immediately takes off its legs. For four years of "work" Tobik studied all the dog's 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 himself.

- Somehow they brought me a Great Dane. Tobik went out onto the platform. The Great Dane was simply stunned by such impudence - his cats run a mile away. And Tobik went out and sat down opposite to lick. The dog barked, and the cat - zero emotion. The owner did not hold the leash, and the dog rushed to Tobik. The cat instantly grouped up and grabbed his nose. The dog fell into a stupor, - recalls Latynkin.

A unique method. Or a cat?.

The owner Tobik is very pleased with his helper. Mice are missing in the house. In addition, you will not find a better provocateur on the service site. Until Latynkin's wards stop throwing themselves at the cat, they will not receive a "test".

- Once I had an argument with a neighbor who had a fierce East European Shepherd in his yard. He boasted that it was impossible to enter his yard without his permission. I said I would come. He took Tobik under his arm. I go up, open the gate - the dog is attacking me, I take out the cat and tell him: "home." The cat darts off, the dog follows him. In short, the neighbor lost the argument, - the dog handler laughs.

Opinion

“During the training of service dogs, we use any stimuli to" disrupt "them - loud noises, shots, strangers and, if possible, small animals. But for the latter, this is usually a huge stress.

Finding "volunteers" for such tests is quite difficult, almost impossible. You can explain the behavior of this cat by the fact that he grew up in a canine environment, and he also has a very strong nervous system. This is quite rare."