RESULTS OF THE SELECTION OF DOGS FOR THE PREPARATION FOR OFFICIAL USE IN THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE STATE CRIMINAL EXECUTIVE SERVICE OF UKRAINE

Abstract

The research took into account the results of tests of a population of service dogs of the German and Belgian shepherd breeds of the penitentiary service of Ukraine. The animals of the three experimental groups were evaluated by breed, age composition, signs of attachment to the trainer, within groups, by breed, and depending on age. Among the service skills of dogs, the presence of an olfactory and searching reaction, the ability to retrieve, the protective reaction of animals, and the response to strong sound stimuli were studied. Based on the results of the tests, a comprehensive analysis was conducted to check the working qualities of the dogs, according to which the animals receive recommendations for further training. As a result of the research, it was established that in all three experimental groups, the German shepherd was dominant in terms of breed composition. In all experimental groups, the animals were aged from one to three years. According to such an indicator as the dog's attachment to the trainer, animals of different groups and breeds had certain differences. The animals of the first two groups were 100% attached to the trainer, and in the third group, 13% of the dogs, on the contrary, were not attached to the trainer. Regarding the breed composition, it was established that 100% of the Belgian Shepherd dogs were attached to their trainer. Two dogs, or 6% of the German Shepherd breed, were not attached to the trainer. According to the sign of olfactory and searching reaction, all animals of the German Shepherd breed met the requirements. The animals of the first group received a positive evaluation based on the sign of retrieval. The dogs of the other two groups included animals that received a negative evaluation for fetching. It was established that in the first group, among animals of the German shepherd breed, two animals were passive, and the others were actively defensive. Dogs of the Belgian shepherd breed were all actively defensive. Animals of all groups had a positive evaluation according to the test for strong the irritants. In general, during the complex assessment, it was established that the population of dogs of both researched breeds meets the requirements established for service animals.