New Lake County Sheriff’s Office dogs Axel and Echo graduate from intense training course

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said its new dogs, Axel and Echo, graduated from an intense training course at Grayslake and will soon be sworn in.

Both dogs completed their eight-week training Friday at TOPS Kennel in Grayslake, the sheriff’s office said.

“Canines Echo, Axel and their partners Deputy Gauer & Deputy Girmscheid are very happy to get to work! Stay tuned for their swearing-in ceremony! the sheriff’s office announced on Saturday.

Dogs Axel and Echo join other Sheriff’s Canine partners Dax, Duke, Danno, Ryker and Boomer to bring the total number of Lake County Sheriff’s Dogs to seven.

The selection of names for the two dogs came after nearly 400 Lake County students submitted name suggestions in March.

Deerfield High School Sophomore Ethan Jacobs along with Vernon Hills Hawthorn Middle School sixth graders Matthew Prigorenko and Carson Alper chose the name Axel.

Millburn Primary School’s Charlotte Regner Kindergarten chose the name Echo.

The four students were invited to participate in Echo and Axel’s swearing-in ceremony in late June, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said.

Deputy Tyler Girmscheid was associated with Canine Echo and Deputy Kevin Gauer was associated with Canine Axel.

The TOPS Kennel training course included dog psychology, obedience, agility, tracking, scent detection and more.