As an Air Force Instructor at the Military Working Dog School in the 60's and early 70's, I was fortunate to be involved in some of the research conducted on Mine, tunnel, and tripwire detection dogs. Working research and development relative to the use of dogs was an educational experience of a lifetime. Having combat arena experience provided a unique perspective to the ever expanding roles trained canines fill. Perhaps the most interesting research I was involved in, for me at least, was a project to help downed pilots escape track dogs. Dogs have for years served in rolls that have saved countless lives. Even now, after 36 years of being associated with working dogs, they still amaze me. Even today with all the strife going on in the world, they always look to the dog as the one true detection system that can be relied on. We as those that train and work dogs are truly Dinosaurs in a Star Wars World

David C. Frost

I would like to second every word of that,we are still only scratching the surface as to what dogs are capable of being used for.
Paul

Hi David,
I would like to tell you a wee story.
In the mid eighties when working Explosives Dogs in NI. My dog and I were tasked to go to the Royal Engineer Search School to do a demonstration. It all sounded a bit suspect to me as it was mid afternoon and not planned. Normally we would have had notification weeks in advance of any demonstrations.
When we got there it was all explained. Their were a bunch of scientists over from England with over a million pounds worth of new search equipment, they had five different types of explosives hid in five houses, they had been here all morning searching the houses and only managed to find two bits of explosives, when the Engineer Sergeant Major Suggested they send for a dog to show them how it was done they had a good laugh, but agreed to humour the Sergeant Major.
It took me less than an hour to find all the explosives in all five houses. The Scientists could not believe how over a million pounds worth of equipment was beaten by a dog, and in such a small space of time.
I heard they were still searching the same houses two days later.
About six months after this the same equipment was on the streets of Northern Ireland. It did have its uses i.e. if it did find any explosives it could tell you exactly what it was, but it was no match for a dog.
What I am trying to say is although they still use dogs, they are still spending Millions on trying to better the dog, they will not accept an animal is better than a man made machine. They have a lot to learn.

Have a good thanksgiving
Steve

Hello again David,
I forgot to ask, if it would not be too much trouble, could you explain a wee bit on how you would go about training a dog to detect tripwires.

Steve

Steve,

Great story. You just have to love the capability of a dog. It drives the scientists crazy. A couple of Universities have been studying the dog for year trying to find out exactly what it is that makes a dogs nose work so well. And still the best they can tell us is, "under laboratory conditions" LOL. Oh well. I've seen similar demonstrations of explosives detector dogs with electronic sensors, some of which, or at least the earlier versions, of what is being used in airports as part of the security upgrades. Just notice what they keep around for back up. I'd be glad to tell you a little of what is used for training on trip wires. Please send me a private e'mail and we'll talk a little about it there. Thanks for the story, I'm still a believer in these "dinosaurs" we call detector dogs. To date, it is still the most accurate, fastest and most portable detection system available.

DFrost

Thanks for the reply David, I’ve sent you my private E-mail, hope to hear from you soon.
Steve

War Dogs just recentley saw a program on the dogs and handlers and the abilities of the dogs just blew me away . The tight knit and bonding of dog and handler was a amazing. I have never had the oppontunity to talk with a war dog handler in person, but just hearing the stories took my breath away. What happened to those dogs,that never came back ? In my mind i am thinking they were put down.? Can you tell me of a book or location of more information about these
units. Thanks Peter

Most of the dogs were destroyed for one reason or another. Some excellant reading can be found at the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association web page. I encourage you to view it.

DFrost

Hi Peter,
I was on the site that David mentions a couple of years ago, as he says it is an excellent site, and they will help you with whatever information you are looking for. Unfortunately I went without a computer for a while and when I got a new one I was unable to find the site. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
David if you read this I would appreciate a link to the site if you have it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Steve

I'm not a handler, just a great admirer. Next Sat. on Animal Planet, they are going to have a program on the training of military dogs. I think the time is 9 or 10 est. I'll be cuorious as to what you "real" guys think of it.