Police Captain Sven Madetzky has been a dog handler for 26 years. Together with his four-year-old Belgian shepherd Andy, he is a member of the Bad Segeberg police dog squadron. The two specialize in detecting explosives. Whether securing state guests, such as at the 2017 G20 summit in Hamburg, or detecting concealed firearms, the two are professionals who find what they are looking for. This requires intensive, regular training. Dog and handler practice at least twice a month under conditions that are as realistic and varied as possible. For more than two years, the Jungheinrich spare parts center in Kaltenkirchen has provided them with the perfect environment for this.

Almost 400 employees, of which over 100 work in the warehouse, ensure that more than 10,000 parts are dispatched from Kaltenkirchen to destinations all over the world every day. At the heart of the automated warehouse system are a seven-aisle high-bay warehouse with space for 21,000 pallets and a twelve-aisle automated small parts warehouse with 120,000 container storage locations. The logistics center also includes separate storage areas for fast-moving items, bulky goods and hazardous materials as well as a structurally separate export area. The individual areas are connected by conveyor technology with a total length of more than two kilometers.

The varied conditions are an ideal training ground for dogs and their masters. Sven Madetzky has countless opportunities to hide scent samples here, which service dog Andy then has to search for and, thanks to his good nose, usually finds unerringly. Different scenarios can be simulated in this way and the dog can get used to different environmental influences such as machine noises, ground conditions, smells and production processes at the same time. This is important for perfecting the interaction between humans and animals.

From false alarms to cooperation
Jungheinrich has been offering the Schleswig-Holstein state police dog squadron the opportunity to train in Kaltenkirchen since 2016. The cooperation came about as a result of a false alarm triggered by a faulty sprinkler system in the Jungheinrich warehouse. At the time, Sven Madetzky rushed to the supposed scene as chief constable. Although the alarm turned out to be unfounded, it still turned out to be a stroke of luck. Madetzky met Dirk Möller, the site's fire protection and safety officer, marking the start of a successful partnership. A win-win situation for both sides: The dog handlers can practice regularly in a realistic environment and Jungheinrich can demonstrate particularly high safety standards in return. This is an advantage that should not be underestimated when shipping spare parts worldwide. Especially because the Hamburg Airport dog handlers also take part in the exercises. The "Known Consignor" status awarded by the German Federal Aviation Office greatly speeds up transportation by air. This also enables Jungheinrich to ensure a high level of spare parts availability for its customers all over the world.

Dog noses - better than detectors
Patrik Reindel has been working at Hamburg Airport with his German Shepherd Newton for seven years. He still remembers well how he had to search an evacuated Air Berlin plane alone with his dog a few years ago after a bomb threat. "A moment you don't forget so quickly." Just like the arrival of the Russian president at the G20 summit. Newton struck the airport convoy of the state guest. Fortunately, it was only the presidential limousine's self-protection device that the ten-year-old explosives sniffer dog had detected with his fine nose. No danger, but proof of the dog's great nose. The power of their sense of smell allows sniffer dogs to sniff out explosives even in places where technical detection systems have long since failed. Whether packed, hidden or stretched, the sniffer dogs find the explosives and calmly indicate the location to their master by sitting or sitting down. They practice with military explosives, weapons and ammunition. They can detect even the smallest amounts of black powder, such as that found on fired cartridge cases. In this way, they help to solve crimes and protect human lives.

Reaching the goal with play instinct and reward
Anyone who wants to become a police dog handler must first complete the regular training for the police service. After two to three more years of service, you can apply for further training with the service dog squadron. Officers get to know their dog partner at the police academy and are trained together with them. You can't choose your favorite four-legged friend - he is assigned to his future master.

No specific breed is required to be suitable as a sniffer dog. However, depending on the area of application of the animal experts, specific requirements must be met in terms of training, physique and temperament. So-called "working dogs", such as German and Belgian shepherds, Rottweilers and giant schnauzers, are best suited for this purpose. These dogs all have one thing in common: an extreme play instinct, because ultimately they work for their reward. Therefore, there is no need for strict training, but rather systematic encouragement of certain behaviors. During training, a link is established between a preparation, for example explosives, and something pleasant such as food or toys. This creates a stimulus-response chain that encourages them to search again and again in anticipation of the reward. Highly concentrated and conscientious. In an emergency as in training: it is always a game with a serious background.