Dog's skill is put to good use

An Alaskan Malamute is learning to tightrope walk in order to help firefighters deal with disasters.

The dog, from Chongqing, China, is undertaking daily training to work alongside firefighters at Chonquing Municipality Fire Fighting Special Mission Base, and tightrope walking is all part of his training.

The dog is able to walk over two ten metre long wires, set a few centimetres apart, in just 60 seconds. He is watched from below by ten dogs, who are hoped to soon undertake the same training programme.

Wang Xianting, head trainer at the mission base, said the training prepares dogs to work in disaster areas where they could encounter all kinds of obstacles.

He said: "Through these challenging training programmes, our dogs learn to compete rescue missions under extreme conditions."