Visitors to the Central Intelligence Agency Twitter account Wednesday were treated to an unusual sight — post after post about puppies.
“#CIAK9 Pupdate,” the agency tweeted Wednesday. “Sometimes, even after testing, our pups make it clear being an explosive detection K9 isn’t for them.”
The agency then told the story of Lulu, a dog who had been a member of an “explosive detection” class that sadly had to be dropped from the program due to poor performance — but it’s ok because we still like her.
#CIAK9 Pupdate:
Sometimes, even after testing, our pups make it clear being an explosive detection K9 isn’t for themhttps://t.co/nPZl6YWNKb pic.twitter.com/07TXRCH7bp— CIA (@CIA) October 18, 2017
We’re sad to announce that a few weeks into training, Lulu began to show signs that she wasn’t interested in detecting explosive odors. pic.twitter.com/c6lxHPfC09
— CIA (@CIA) October 18, 2017
All dogs, like humans, have good & bad days when learning something new.
Same for our pups, though it usually lasts just a day or two. pic.twitter.com/z9lQa2uKX4— CIA (@CIA) October 18, 2017
There are a million reasons why a dog has a bad day & our trainers must become doggy psychologists to figure out what will help pups. pic.twitter.com/iaeRpGiSUR
— CIA (@CIA) October 18, 2017
Sometimes a pup is bored & needs extra playtime, sometimes they need a little break, or it’s a minor medical condition like a food allergy. pic.twitter.com/pPaBPohhqB
— CIA (@CIA) October 18, 2017
For some dogs, after weeks of working w them, it’s clear the issue isn’t temporary & instead, this just isn’t the job they are meant for. pic.twitter.com/bBjPz8Ng2U
— CIA (@CIA) October 18, 2017
Lulu wasn’t interested in searching for explosives.
Even when motivated w food & play, she was clearly no longer enjoying herself. pic.twitter.com/puvhDk1tRX— CIA (@CIA) October 18, 2017
Our trainers’ top concern is physical & mental well-being of K9s.
They made difficult decision & did what’s best for Lulu: stop her training pic.twitter.com/Ss9y9LpE9q— CIA (@CIA) October 18, 2017
When a pup is removed or retires from our K9 program, the handler & their family is given the chance to adopt them & many do. pic.twitter.com/EMfua7zhbT
— CIA (@CIA) October 18, 2017
Lulu was adopted by her handler & now enjoys her days playing w his kids & a new friend, & sniffing out rabbits & squirrels in the backyard. pic.twitter.com/WOImM75P1D
— CIA (@CIA) October 18, 2017
We’ll miss Lulu, but it was right decision for her & we wish her all the best in her new life!https://t.co/nPZl6YWNKb pic.twitter.com/Mbcr9C7wUY
— CIA (@CIA) October 18, 2017
Proving their mastery of psychological warfare, the agency promised there would be more dogs to come.
Lulu’s handler still needs a #K9 partner. Tomorrow we’ll introduce you to newest member of our Fall 2017 Puppy Class.
*spoiler: it’s a lab* pic.twitter.com/57Bqn8RnQg— CIA (@CIA) October 18, 2017