Out of the dog house, police dogs graduate experimental program

In particular, the spotlight was on the golden labrador Alpha, who was part of a new program at the AFP's National Canine Operations Centre.

Attendants Rebecca Hughes and Natalie Van Bree were two of three proud mums who helped foster Alpha from eight weeks old and were there to watch him graduate with his handler, Hannah Phillip.

They said it was hard but rewarding to watch their dogs move on, as Alpha tried to bound over to Ms Hughes during the ceremony.

Alpha, and his black labrador partner, Zulu, are the first in a line of dogs the police will raise as pups rather than purchasing as adult dogs from the Australian Border Force.

"This is a first for us," instructor Mark Rice said.

Raising Alpha and Zulu as pups on base allowed them to better gauge the dogs' suitability for their work from an earlier age and specialise their training.

Handlers are introduced to their dogs early on, but attendants raise them on base or at home in order to maintain their health, diet, temperament and those tough police grooming standards.

"It's sort of a new thing to do to actually get them started on the right foot," Ms Hughes said.

"So you're getting dogs out there that'll be ready to face any sort of situation," Mr Rice said.

The dogs were trained in detection of firearms and explosives while other dogs at the centre had been trained to detect cash, drugs or for general policing.

The recruit course began mid-September, with the dogs receiving up to 40 hours of training per week over the eighteen week course once mature enough to start training.

Alpha's handler, Ms Phillip, doted on the special pup like any other dog owner and showed off Alpha's detection capabilities on a fake luggage belt.

Ms Van Bree explained: "It's all about fun."

The dogs are rewarded with praise and play, making them eager to do their jobs if it means another game of tug-of-war with their handlers.

Sixteen pups were recruited but only seven graduated, with attempts to restart training later for those who failed.

Readers should keep an eye out for Alpha at Parliament House where he'll be one of the new top dogs.