The only experience I have had of dog handling is with my grandmother's small King Charles cross, so when the possibility of handling a German Shepherd was proposed, I must admit I wasn't sure what to expect.

To save any potential embarrassment I was later told that I would merely be observing police dog training, rather than participate in it.

I met three police constables near the Newbridge on Usk pub on a very foggy day this week, to learn more about what it takes for a canine to be a fully licensed police dog.

PC James Watkins, who is 42 and married, is one of the co-ordinators who helps run a police dog programme called General Purpose Basic Course, which aims to equip officers with the necessary tools to train dogs to serve in the police force.

PC Watkins told me that a lot of "hard work" goes into the training of the dogs.

He said: "You are taking a dog with absolutely no police training to then get them fully trained.

"Of course, in the beginning it is difficult but through lots of practice it becomes easier.

"And there is nothing more rewarding than seeing your dog progress.

"What is most important is seeing the dog doing their purpose and having fun.”

He added: “I have always liked dogs and when I got selected to be on the programme I was thrilled.

"We got the current dogs from West Midlands police breeding scheme."

The intensive programme aims to get dogs certified within 12 weeks.

“It is a Monday to Friday programme,” said PC Watkins, “and it will take place from 9am to 5pm or 7am to 3pm.

“So roughly eight hour days.

“We used to joke that we would see more of our dogs that anything else.

"To pass the course, each person needs to demonstrate that their dogs have gained the necessary skills to become a police dog."

PC Gavin Ashman said that each of the dogs live with their relevant owner, which was something I was not aware of.

He said: “They live with us and they come to work with us.

“We have close bonds with our dogs.

"I like having the close bond helps to train the dogs."

The three PCs then disappeared and re-emerged with one of three dogs.

I was told that the dog’s name is Bullet, who was PC Rhion Weston's dog.

In no time at all I was wholly impressed with the dog's obedience.

The exercise involved the dog remaining still until called and catching and bringing back a toy ball.

"The purpose of this exercise is to train the dog," said PC Watkins.

"A lot of effort goes into making a dog wait.

"If the dogs are to enter the force then they will need to learn basic commands.

"What is absolutely important is certain key words which the dog will recognise."

Later I was introduced to two more dogs, Indie, who is PC Ashman's dog, and Cov, who is PC Watkin's dog.

PC Rhion Weston said that the training was predominately “toy and fun” based.

He said: “It’s all about fun and reward.

“To my dog this is all a game and a bit of fun.

“It is about showing the fun side of things.”

PC Watkins added: “There is no more negative training in our work.

“Originally it used to be negative, but now it’s more ‘you’ll get this if this happens’."

The three PCs told me that a "close" bond between owner and dog was absolutely "important" to ensure success.

I spotted the close-natured bond during each of the different training sessions.

The next exercise that I watched was "biting", which involved one of the men padding up and allowing one of the dogs to bite.

"Initially the bad person is asked to stand down in real life," said PC Watkins "and the dog will only bite on command.

"Lots of the time the dog just acts as a barker.

"But we have to judge the situation seriously and think if we can justify our dogs to bite.

"We use our judgement under the National Decision Model.

"If it is any serious situation the dogs can be used."

During the exercise, the one PC was asked to "stand down" and refused, the dog was then unleashed.

The close bond that I witnessed between officer and canine is the secret to training a police dog.

Following 12 weeks of solid work, yesterday (Friday, January 27) PC Weston and Ashman discovered that they had passed the course with their dogs.

PC Watkins said: "I'm really pleased for them.

"The dogs will patrol Gwent and will track offenders.

"They will search open woodland and buildings and a variety of tasks."

On average, a police dog will work up until about eight years of age and after this it will be reviewed.

We often read in the news of the heroic role police officers and dogs perform in keeping society safe.

I think Bullet, Indie and Cov will be great assets and I look forward to seeing them at work.

For more information on Gwent police dogs, visit the Twitter page @gpdogsection