At the training site near Voronezh , the cat works as an “assistant” to the cynologist. Tobik is a natural “irritant” for dogs, to which they learn not to react. This “cat test” must be passed by every service dog before entering the service.
Aleksey Latynkin, a cynologist with 22 years of experience, told RIA Voronezh correspondents about an unusual method of training dogs and a provocateur cat.
Raising a “Resistant Nordic”
Aleksey Latynkin was brought to a special dog training site in the village of Maslovka with a dog of a rare breed – “ca de bou” named Nord.
The dog, despite its modest size, is powerful. Such a “serious” dog must be super-manageable – and this is what the dog handler wants from him. Aleksey Latynkin brings up the dog so that he does not react to loud sounds, 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 “nuptial” period. It happens that “breaks the roof” from some small dog or cat.
The task of the cynologist is to ensure that the dog does not react to “irritants”. It is very difficult to find a “provocateur” who would voluntarily flash before the noses of dogs and test their patience. But Latynkin was lucky: he has an experienced “assistant” – the cat Tobik. He is not afraid of scary dogs – he seems to be playing with them.
Nord did not pass the exam for the “irritant”. As soon as he saw the cat, he fell 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. There were mice in the house, and a cat was urgently needed. Alexei was walking 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 living at home: a German Shepherd, a Thai Ridgeback and a Toy Terrier. All are adults and educated. I brought Tobik, the dogs sniffed him, waving their tails affably. The cat wasn’t even scared. I put him in boxing – in quarantine. 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.
Zender, a German Shepherd puppy, adores Tobik and, out of excess of feelings, sometimes drags him in his teeth. Once Zender was guilty: he ate a cake left on the table. As 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.
– All family members strictly observe the existing hierarchy. One Tobik sometimes allows himself too much. But we go to meet him – he is a provocateur, – explains Alexei.
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 fury among the “ill-mannered” dogs.
If they suddenly break off the leash, the cat takes its legs with lightning speed. During the four years of “work” Tobik learned 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 itself.
– Somehow they brought me a Great Dane. Tobik stepped out onto the platform. The dog was simply stunned by such impudence – his cats run around a mile away. And Tobik went out and sat opposite to lick himself. The dog started barking, and the cat – zero emotions. The owner did not hold the leash, and dogged on Tobik. The cat instantly rallied and grabbed his nose. The dog fell into a stupor, – recalls Latynkin.
Unique method. Or a cat?
Tobika’s owner is very pleased with his helper. The mice are missing from the house. Besides, you won’t find a better provocateur on the official platform. Until the wards of Latynkin stop throwing themselves at the cat, they will not receive a “credit”.
“Once I had an argument with a neighbor who had a ferocious East European Shepherd in his yard. He boasted that it was impossible to enter his yard without his permission. I said I would. He took Tobik under his arm. I go up, open the gate – the dog attacks me, I take out the cat and tell him: “home.” The cat takes off, the dog follows him. In short, the neighbor lost the dispute, – the cynologist laughs.
Opinion
“During the training of service dogs, we use any irritants to “rip them off” – loud noises, gunshots, 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 dog environment, and he also has a very strong nervous system. It’s quite rare.”
Alexander Ivanov – cynologist, head of the emergency rescue service of the Voronezh region
