Police Dogs Loki and Sonni start training with their handlers

Two new canine recruits are embarking on the next step of their policing career.

Police Dogs Loki and Sonni, who are both German Shepherds, started their 13 week long general police dog training programme on Monday 22 September.

The programme includes building and proving their skills in agility, tracking, searching, use of force, safety, property location and public order.

One-year-old Loki comes from a family of police dogs with several of his siblings already being part of the Gloucestershire Constabulary family.

He came from one of the force's kennelling partners who had previously supplied us with German Shepherds.

As a puppy Loki was looked after and initially trained by head trainer PC Rich Hunt and is now ready for the next step in his policing career.

PC Shannon Taylor, Loki’s handler, said: "Loki is very much living up to his name as the God of mischief at home.

"He's very cheeky, affectionate and has settled at home.

"Loki gets so excited when I get the car ready to come to work each morning. He literally bounds over and is ready to jump in as soon as the boot is open.

"He is incredibly intelligent and is picking up his training well. 

"I'm excited to get stuck in with training so we can learn together and hopefully become an exceptional partnership over the coming months."

Two-year-old Sonni had a more traumatic start to life having been bred and trained by a personal protection dog trainer in the north of England before being used as a guard dog for a cannabis grow.

Officers assisted Thames Valley Police with a drugs warrant earlier this year and Sonni was found in a paddock guarding a room full of cannabis plants.

Sonni was seized as part of the investigation and upon scanning his micro-chip officers established that a crime gang owned him.

Once his correct age was established, Sonni had some initial trials around bite work and obedience, and the decision was made to take him out of police kennels so that a more thorough suitability for work assessment could take place.

During this time Sonni was fostered by current dog handler PC Deb Shields and he excelled when put to the test in his assessments.

Sonni is a lovely, sociable dog, but has certainly got some of the characteristics you would expect from a good all-round police dog, he is a good size and has shown good initial drive to work.

PC Deb Shields, Sonni’s handler, said: "I was due to retire on 30 September and was looking forward to putting my feet up when Sonni came along and melted my heart with his story.

"PS Francis collected him from our dangerous dog kennels and when I met Sonni it was love at first sight.

"He has settled in so well at home, we live on a farm and he gets along well with all our animals including the horses. 

"It's like Sonni has always been here and he has all the attributes to be a great Police Dog, I feel very lucky we have somehow found each other to embark on this journey together and can’t wait until we are operational."

Loki and Sonni compilation for media.mp4

PD Loki as a puppy

 

PD Loki in 2025

 

PD Sonni as a puppy

 

PD Sonni in 2025