Luxembourg’s K9 unit hosted its eighth international training camp, giving service dogs and handlers the opportunity to tackle realistic interventions and strengthen cross-border cooperation.
At Lultzhausen on the Upper-Sûre Lake, and in Heiderscheid, the more than 30 teams from Luxembourg, France, Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland faced some unusual challenges. One of the most striking exercises saw a police officer abseiling from a bridge together with his dog, a scenario that rarely occurs in daily operations but serves as a powerful test of trust between handler and animal.
Once safely on the ground, the duo boarded a police boat and crossed to the opposite shore. On command, the dog leapt from the boat to apprehend a suspect on land, holding him until the handler arrived. It was a demanding task, designed to prepare the dogs for the wide variety of situations they may encounter in the field.
Cross-border exchange
It was already the eighth time that the Luxembourg Police had invited their international colleagues to such a training camp. Chief Commissioner Christian Van Wissen underlined the importance of this cooperation:
"We work closely with colleagues from Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Belgium. Our dogs, for example, are trained in Belgium at no cost to us. In return, we regularly support operations there with our specialised drug-detection dogs whenever needed."
These cross-border ties not only make coordination during operations smoother but also help raise the standard of service dog training.
Multiple interventions
In Luxembourg, the K9 unit currently consists of 16 teams. They are deployed not only for preventive patrols but also for specialised interventions, ranging from personal protection during state visits to detecting drugs and explosives.
The training day featured highly realistic scenarios: from substance searches to leaping from a police boat into the water to apprehend a suspect, and even personal protection drills carried out in complete darkness.
From service dog to family member
Even though the dogs deliver outstanding performances in the field, life at home remains surprisingly ordinary. "Our dogs live with us as part of the family; they guard the couch and go outside to pee just like any other dog", says Christian Van Wissen with a smile. "What really matters is their wellbeing. The breeds we choose genuinely enjoy this work, but just as importantly, they need rest and balance afterwards."
For the K9 unit, the international training day was considered a great success. Beyond the complex exercises, the focus was above all on exchange with partner countries. "Even if the laws differ from one country to another, the work with the dogs is the same everywhere", emphasises Christian Van Wissen.
