Meet Giddy: The Cocker Spaniel Fire Investigator

Giddy the Cocker Spaniel has just joined the investigation team at West Midlands Fire Service. The newly-minted team member recently celebrated her first birthday, and while she's certainly adorable, she's also a valuable part of the Fire Dog team.

Training to Catch Arsonists

Giddy has completed six weeks of intensive training alongside her handler, Watch Commander Alex. Her training focused on walking through burnt-out buildings and sniffing out crucial evidence that can help catch arsonists.

During her training, Giddy learned that finding potential evidence means earning rewards. Each time she identified something important, she got to play with a ball – a simple but effective motivation system that keeps her eager to work.

Safety First

Fire investigation is dangerous work, even for dogs. That's why Giddy wears special heat-protective boots to keep her paws safe while on the job.

"Nice and gently does it. There we go. Good girl," Alex can be heard saying as he helps Giddy with her protective gear.

These special boots shield her paws from heat as well as glass and other sharp objects that might be present at fire scenes. Safety is a top priority for all members of the fire service – including the four-legged ones.

Work-Life Balance

Now that her professional training is complete, Giddy is also learning about life as a pet. When she's not on duty sniffing out evidence, she lives at home with Alex and his family.

This balance between working dog and family pet helps Giddy maintain the skills she needs for her important job while also enjoying the comforts of home life.

A Valuable Team Member

Despite her young age, Giddy has already proven herself to be an important member of the West Midlands Fire Service. Her keen sense of smell and dedicated training make her a powerful tool in fire investigations.

As Giddy continues to grow and gain experience, she'll help solve cases and bring justice to victims of arson – all while wagging her tail and enjoying the occasional game of fetch as her reward.