Hamer the N.S. RCMP dog ‘nails’ first component of puppy training

Hamer, the newest furry recruit to the Nova Scotia RCMP, has graduated to the next phase of puppy training after a successful first 11 months of Police Service Dog training.

Hamer, whose name is pronounced “Hammer,” joined the RCMP puppy recruit program last December. Since then, he and his imprinter Const. Richard Bushey have been working together on various training activities.

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“The goal of puppy training is to develop a confident dog who can work in any setting,” Cpl. Glenn Brown, Bushey’s imprinting mentor said in a release.

“Every day for the past 11 months, Hamer and Const. Bushey have worked to grow skills and characteristics required for a career in the Police Dog Service.”

Throughout his training, Hamer was assessed for confidence, tracking, courage, apprehending criminals and his seeking ability.

He is now in New Brunswick to complete the next phase, which involves working with a handler who will become his permanent partner, and who he lives with.

If he and his handler get along well, they’ll move on to the RCMP Police Dog Service Training Centre in Innisfail, Alta.

If they make it there, Hamer will be training five days a week for four to five months. He’ll have to show “exceptional strength” when it comes to criminal apprehension and tracking as well as narcotic and explosion detection.

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Bushey says at this point, it’s too early to tell if Hamer will make it as a police dog, but he says he’s proud of his progress.

“He’s a focused tracker with a good bite and a loyal nature,” Bushey said.

The Nova Scotia RCMP says that Hamer’s move to New Brunswick marks the end of his public updates.

Hamer was introduced with a second police puppy recruit, Helo, who died from medical complications after eating rope and rocks.