Meet UAE's dog whisperer who trains elite canines for search, rescue, security

Khaleej Times

20-06-2025

What began as a personal bond with dogs became a life-changing mission for Mohammad Anwar. He turned his deep love for animals into pioneering domestic dog training, becoming the first Emirati project specialising in producing police dogs trained for all needs.
At just 11, Anwar developed a deep bond with dogs, which started by feeding strays leftovers from home. 'I used to care for street dogs,' he said. 'It became such a big part of my life that school started slipping.' Concerned, his father made a deal: if Anwar improved in school, he would be rewarded with a dog. Anwar kept his promise and had his first dog, a German Shepherd. But his next dog, Caesar, truly changed his life.
'Caesar was like my shadow,' Anwar recalled. 'He stayed with me for nearly six years.' Their bond was tested after a football match when Anwar was attacked. As others ran, Caesar broke free and rushed to protect him. 'He started licking the blood off my face, letting out a sound like he was crying,' he said. 'He was the only one who came back for me.' That moment sparked a mission: 'I realised nothing is more loyal than a dog.'
Determined to deepen his knowledge, Anwar taught himself dog behaviour through YouTube before enrolling in specialised courses in the Netherlands. The training helped him understand the importance of both positive and negative reinforcement, as well as how to stay calm and responsive while working with animals. 'Knowing when to be calm and how to respond correctly makes all the difference in earning a dog's trust,' he said.
By 2015, the idea for a specialised dog training centre took root. Two years later, in 2017, he officially launched the project.
Today, Anwar's facility breeds and trains dogs for various professional roles, including search and rescue, narcotics detection, criminal investigations, and protection of critical infrastructure. The centre houses up to 46 highly trained dogs at any given time. 'We've reached a stage where we're exporting trained dogs to countries like the US, UK, Switzerland, and across the Arab world,' Anwar said. Government agencies now rely on his dogs, and his team also runs specialised training programmes for security personnel.
But the journey has not been without challenges. Relocating his training centre multiple times across the Emirates has been one of Anwar's biggest hurdles. 'Each move meant starting over financially,' he said. The shift from Sharjah to Umm Al Quwain was particularly tough due to a lack of income. 'I put everything I had into it,' he recalled. In 2022, he moved again to Ras Al Khaimah, where he finally found the needed space and support. 'I hoped to stay at least ten years to settle and repay my debts.'
During those tough times, one of Anwar's dogs, Boo, who was kept for emotional support, played a crucial role. 'When I was overwhelmed, he'd do silly things to make me laugh. He could sense my stress and helped me feel grounded,' he said.
Anwar's resilience and dedication have not gone unnoticed. He has won over 23 titles in international dog competitions, taking top-spot trophies in prestigious shows in the UAE and Russia. In 2022, his team achieved a significant milestone by winning first place in the KNPV (Royal Dutch Police Dog Sport) championship in the Netherlands, one of the most respected competitions in police dog training.
Currently, his centre produces around 25 to 30 high-performance dogs annually. His next target is to increase that number to 70 per year. 'The more the world sees our quality, the more they want. But quality can't be rushed,' he said.
Anwar is quick to credit his team for the centre's success. 'I couldn't have done this alone. Their dedication has been important to this journey.'
Looking ahead, 'In five years, I want this to be the largest dog training centre in the Middle East. After that, one that will be the top source globally,' he noted.