Instead of being put down

Former problem dog now has a career as a police dog

Thanks to Chief Inspector Gerald Koller, the shepherd now has a perspective.(Bild: Tierheim/Tierschutzstelle Freistadt – Tierrettung)

He narrowly escaped being put to sleep, and now he will soon be helping others as a police dog - thanks to human help, German shepherd "Lovie" from the Mühlviertel region was able to take this path, which went well once again.

The male dog was previously considered a problem dog and was therefore handed in by his owners at the age of one in spring 2023, as the Freistadt animal shelter reports.

Because "Lovie" was initially unable to find a place at the shelter and a trainer was also unable to help the overwhelmed owners, there was even talk of putting the animal to sleep. But things turned out quite differently: "Lovie" managed to find a free place at the Freistadt animal shelter. Thanks to the fixed rituals and social contacts, the shepherd made rapid progress and shed his old behavioral patterns.

Lovie" came to the Freistadt animal shelter as a conspicuous problem dog.(Bild: Tierheim/Tierschutzstelle Freistadt – Tierrettung)

Chief inspector discovers dog potential
Gerald Koller, head of the training center for police dogs in Bad Kreuzen, quickly became aware of the male dog. The chief inspector - who volunteers at the Mühlviertel animal shelter - recognized "Lovie's" potential and taught him the basics of animal police work.

A career on four paws
Lovie, who is now two years old, was handed over to the Vienna State Police Headquarters in July. There, the former problem shepherd is now being trained as a police service dog, making a career on four paws, so to speak.

The Freistadt animal shelter expressed its thanks on social media: "Chief Inspector Koller is not only making an important contribution to police work, but is also giving dogs from difficult backgrounds a new perspective and a meaningful task."