A British Transport Police sniffer dog and his handler play ball at the new 'canine hotel'

Police dogs trained to sniff out explosives on trains and in railway stations around the Olympic Park will be incredibly busy during the Games – but now they will be able to put their paws up for a well-earned rest at a special dog hotel near Hackney Wick Station.

The “hotel”, which opened on Tuesday (July 24), will see the pooches being pampered by British Transport Police (BTP) dog handlers and volunteers, who will feed, groom and exercise the dogs after their 10-hour shifts.

And if any of the 45 Labradors and spaniels should fall ill, there’s even an air-conditioned isolation room at the temporary canine lodgings located just a ball’s throw from the main Olympic stadium.

Sgt Bill Pearson, of BTP’s Explosive Search Dogs Section, said: “The dogs and their handlers will be working long hours to help protect the thousands of visitors expected during the Games, which are going to be a huge security challenge for everyone.

“With trains arriving into the Olympic Park every 13.5 seconds at peak times, the search dogs will have a vital role to play in protecting the rail network and keeping it free from disruption.”

To ensure the dogs’ detection skills can’t be sniffed at, the animals will undertake continuous training during their stay at the hotel.