The profession of dog handler: how dogs from the Offensive..

Maksym is a senior trainer of the second platoon of the canine company of the Burevy Guards Offensive Brigade. With his service dog Odin, he is on duty at checkpoints. Their main task is to inspect vehicles and detect weapons, ammunition, and dangerous substances. There may also be filtering and search measures in cooperation with various power structures.

Maxim’s duty as a dog trainer is always to improve the dog. Every day, he and Odin actively train, developing various skills. An important stage in the training process is the monthly tests, during which the cynologist and his dog demonstrate the results of training.

“At first they were taught to look for the aportic itself. Apportionment item. He has a toy, a ball. When he had already learned to find this toy in the boxes, an odorous substance was also placed in the box with it. That is, either gunpowder or explosives. It already depends on how and with what the dog trainer starts. And the smell was removed gradually. They cut the ball and made it smaller. They haven’t completely removed it yet,” the dog trainer shares his secret.

Odin has a rather difficult fate and it is with the current master Maxim that he serves not so long ago. Before the start of the full-scale invasion, the dog was a pet of Maksym’s brother, a military serviceman named “Musician”. They held the defense in Mariupol, but due to massive rocket attacks and powerful airstrikes, the dog was evacuated from the city. Then Maximus took Odin under his care.

“For a long time, we served his former master and Odin began to perceive me as a friend,” – says dog trainer Maxim.

Now Maksym and his brother “Musician” are serving in another unit. Each of the dog handlers spends time with Odin, but now the “Musician” has a new ward. From time to time he helps Maxim in training Odin:

“The training methods have not changed. If you teach a dog a skill, it is not necessary to add or change anything. It will be better if the base that the dog has remains.”

Cynologists note that Odin is highly motivated and passionate about his work. In just half a year, the four-legged “guardian” found more than 20,000 cartridges, more than 10 weapons, more than 60 grenades and many other dangerous items. For his valiant service, Odin was awarded three medals from the Main Directorate of the National Guard of Ukraine.

Maxim emphasizes that the secret of their successful operations with Odin is trust in each other and dedication to work.

“You have to love dogs. You should constantly spend time with the dog. Also take it home. He then begins to trust and devote himself completely to his work,” concludes the soldier.