Dogs have fun as they learn

The dogs at Police’s Dog Training Centre are having fun as they learn - thanks to their very own play gym.

A dog fort – officially a ‘dog enrichment structure’ – has been built in an exercise area at the Trentham centre, complete with ramps, tunnels and multiple levels to navigate.

Simone Botterill, who is in charge of the kennels, says it builds on ongoing work to socialise dogs by encouraging them to play together, replacing an empty exercise area with challenging and enjoyable apparatus.

“We needed to take it to the next level and provide them not only with shelter but with a facility where they can play and learn and get mental stimulation,” she says

Simone took a business case to the Police Dog Trust, which agreed to fund the project. Wellington builder Rodney Verhoeven gave up his weekends to build the fort, which came in under budget.

The apparatus is for dogs staying at the centre, including youngsters undergoing training, breeding bitches, operational police dogs and those belonging to partner agencies such as Corrections.

“The younger dogs learn from the adults, and for the adults it’s also a bit of fun – they chase each other through it,” says Simone.

The trust is a charitable organisation that supports the work of the New Zealand Police dog section.

Inspector Todd Southall, trust chairman and National Coordinator Police Dogs, says the fort has greatly benefited the dog section and Police’s partner agencies.

“It has been a fantastic addition to the Dog Training Centre,” he says. “Those runs were pretty barren. Now we have an area where dogs can exercise and shelter from the sun and rain.

“It’s been so successful that we’re looking at doing a miniature version for our puppies.”