Hi,
Im new to the discussion Board so I will make my first posting short.
I worked Arms Explosive Dogs in Northern Ireland 86-90. before this I worked Guad Dogs, again in Northern Ireland.

What I would like to ask is are Explosive Dogs in America trained to work at a distance. The reason I ask this is whenever I see the news and I see explosive Dogs being worked, even if there is plenty of room the dog seems to be kept on a lead. From my experiences in N. I. For obviouse reasons we were trained to keep the dog as far away as possible.

I would like to hear from anyone that works or has worked Explosives Dogs. or anyone interested in the subject.

I have seen dogs trained on leash and at distances off leash. Directing an intense sweeping search is difficult and better done on lead. Checking a specific point or threat is better done off lead with a PASSIVE ALERT! LOL <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Vambo

You will find most explosives dogs in the US are taught to work close to the handler. there are some that do distance work, but the vast majority work a standard leash. Where you worked a dog, i'm sure they had much different approaches to explosives searches, render safe procedures etc, you circumstances were a bit different than what we have here. The majority of work done by current US Explosives dogs is preventative sweeps, or reactions to known threats. I'm sure your type of work, in the location that you worked, was a bit more intense.

Welcome to the board. As an old explosives dog handler and trainer, I would be interested in hearing some stories from you. I'd bet you've had some interesting deployments or searches. I was fortunate in my early years as I was able to work with the trainer that trained the first dog in the US to ever find a functioning IED. It's come a long way since then.

DFrost

DFrost

Sorry I have not replied until now, computer problems. I have a new one now so fingers crossed.

When I worked in Northern Ireland my time was split between Belfast (Urban) and South Armagh (Rural). Whether I was searching Vehicles, Houses, Route checks or open areas the dog was worked off the leash the reason being no matter what we were searching for, be it Arms or explosives, it could be booby trapped. Needless to say when I hear of people searching for explosives with the dog on a leash, or trying to cut down the scent cone to a matter of inches it sends a shiver down my spine. After all, the dog team are only an aid to the search, not the answer.

Steve

Needless to say when I hear of people searching for explosives with the dog on a leash, or trying to cut down the scent cone to a matter of inches it sends a shiver down my spine. After all, the dog team are only an aid to the search, not the answer.

Glad I'm not the only one Steve. I had a post awhile back about this because of demands by our local bomb squad to be pinpoint accurate. It just doesn't sit well with me. Glad I'm not the only one.

Mark O.

Hi Mark,
I read your post, as DFrost has already stated, the situation in Northern Ireland is a wee bit different from the situations you would encounter, but in saying this when you are dealing with explosives in the hands of someone who should not have them, you take no chances, you can almost guarantee if they have been making an IED it will be unstable.
When doing a house search for example, I would start all rooms the same, from the door I would release my dog “Crack” with the command “Seek” Crack would search the room in a clockwise direction then return to me if no indication was made, if he did indicate on any area in the room I would call him off and the search team would enter. If however he did not indicate, I would then enter the room with him and carry out a more detailed search, pointing to specific areas, moving furniture etc. But no matter what, as soon as he indicated in a room I would note the direction and pull him out. If the search team could find nothing after this, not an ideal situation after they have pulled the room to bits, only then would I put Crack back in the room. But I must say I never had to put Crack in the same room twice.
Open areas are different; you should know how your dog reacts on the edge of a scent cone and take him in keeping at a safe distance until you get a full indication.

Steve

Steve,

As you pointed out, our situation is a bit different than your's. Although I can see ours changing as time goes on. During Viet Nam, we did train dogs to work at a distance, because of the possibility of booby traps, and of course landmines. the concept is not so different that we couldn't do it. Just up till now we've never really had a need to approach it anyother way.

DFrost