New K9 dog will be named Max

The Estevan Police Service (EPS) has revealed its new police dog will be named Max.

The EPS held a contest in April for children in the community to name the new police dog, an 18-month-old purebred German shepherd who arrived in the spring. Const. Paul Chabot is the dog’s handler.

The local police announced on Saturday that Liam Flavell, a Grade 2 student at Hillcrest School, was the winner of the contest. Liam said he selected the name because it’s the name of a dog from the movie Secret Lives of Pets, and he really likes the name.

In fact, Liam even tried to name his family’s new dog Max, but they opted for Finley.

Brian Hayes, who teaches the Grade 2 class, said each student submitted a name for the contest.

Liam won an iPad and a pizza party for his classroom. He’ll also get a framed photo of him with the dog.

Police Chief Paul Ladouceur said the EPS received more than 50 entries. Some e-mails had multiple entries, and there were classrooms, like Hayes, that supplied lots of entries.

“While we may have received 50 or 60 e-mails, a lot of those e-mails had names from two or three children,” said Ladouceur.

Five or six people who submitted the name Max, Ladouceur said, so after Max was chosen, the EPS placed all of the entries for Max in a hat and drew Liam’s name as the prize winner.

“Obviously it was a popular name amongst the community as well,” said Ladouceur.

The name Max was selected for its simplicity.

“When you’re working with a dog, you don’t want a name that’s too long, or has multiple syllables,” said Ladouceur. “It’s an easy name. And the fact with Max, we started talking about it, and said it was a perfect fit because the dog is designed to maximize public safety.”

Chabot ultimately had the final say on Max’s name. He said the name is unique, and he’s pleased it had personal meaning for Liam.

“It’s an easy name to remember, a good quick name for a police dog,” said Chabot.

Training for Chabot and Max began a couple of weeks ago in Regina. There are some good people leading the program, he said, and the instructors are very knowledgeable.

“Max is learning lots, and so am I,” said Chabot.

Tracking and obedience have been the emphasis so far.

“We have someone lay a scent through a field, and take some turns, and Max needs to learn to track the scent,” said Chabot. “At the end of the track right now, we have food.”

Obedience work includes following basic commands, with food offered as a reward as well. 

“I think we have a good bond going here,” said Chabot. “Like with any animal, you start to develop a relationship the more you spend time together, and I really enjoy him being part of the family now.”

Training is expected to wrap up in about four months.