ONLY ON 3: A look at training WPD’s new K9 ahead of name reveal live on WWAY
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Police Department is getting ready to reveal the name of its new canine officer based on 2,700 suggestions from the public.
WPD gave WWAY an exclusive behind the scenes look of the pup’s training ahead of the big reveal that will happen live on air at WWAY on Tuesday night.
This dog will be replacing one of the department’s five canine officers that is now medically retired.
This one-year-old Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix just started training at the Wilmington Police Department about two weeks ago.
“They don’t know anything,” officer Nathan Silos said. “We start right from the basics. Similar to any dog, that means starting with sit.”
Sergeant David Pellegrino said there is a big difference between this pup and the one you have at home.
“They’re your pets, just like these dogs are our pets essentially even though they belong to the city, but the biggest thing is they want to work,” Pellegrino said. “They have to work.”
Pellegrino said official training will take about 4 months before this dog can go to work, but the training isn’t just for the dog.
“Training the handler is the hardest part, because the dog will pick it up a lot faster than the handler will,” Pellegrino said.
That’s why Pellegrino is working with officer Nathan Silos as he trains his new canine. This is Silos’s first time starting from the beginning of training a canine in law enforcement, but it’s not his first time working with dogs.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I did canines in the marines.” Silos said.
After serving in the Marine Corp for eight years, Silos said he felt a calling to law enforcement.
“From there to here, being with a canine has been one of my goals,” Silos said.
This dog will be a dual purpose dog, but Pellegrino said the bulk of their work are narcotic sniffs for patrol officers.
“They can also help us track wanted fugitives,” Silos said. “That also means violent crimes and article searches. That would be like someone throws a gun somewhere. We can send them out and they can help us send evidence and stuff.”
These canines have a very serious job, but just like your dogs at home, they have their own personalities too.
“The dog’s personalities typically take on what the handler’s personalities are, so Kendall’s dog is very social,” Pellegrino said. “My dog is just crazy, so I don’t know if that says I’m crazy or not. Silos’ dog is brand new so we don’t know yet.”
What we do know is Silos and the pup are both excited and passionate about their job. It’s a very difficult job, many of us, and our dogs at home couldn’t do, but that’s what Silos loves about it.
“It’s a challenge, but it’s a good challenge,” Silos said. “You’re like, ‘Alright I’m going to do this.'”
Silos found the right calling. Now, they need your help deciding what Silos will be calling his new canine.
The Wilmington Police Department asked for name suggestions, and they got more than 2,700. Tuesday night at 5:30, The Wilmington Police Chief along with Silos, Pellegrino, and the dog will be in the studio live to reveal the name they chose based on the suggestions.
