Doggles ARE useful. They block UV light and can help reduce the progression of certain eye diseases such as pannus. I've thought about buying a pair for my dog but she spends so little time outside it wouldn't be worth it to put them on her.

I would imagine that they reduce eye fatigue as well when working in bright sunlight.

I'm a Military Working Dog Handler and have been deployed to chemical environments with my MWD.

As everyone found out from the web, there are no current gas masks for dogs. The amount of seal required to be effective against the types of NBC we face today is extremely greater than the amount needed in the WWII era.

Todays protection methods consist primarily of removing dogs from their work environment to a protected facility if enough warning is given to do so. As everyone knows, the enemy doesn't always give enough warning for this to be feasible. Emergency actions for a MWD being in a chemical environment are to get him to "down", give him the "stay", and cover him an issue poncho. This will work for powder and liguids if he "stays", but not for gas.

Unfortunately, this is one those situations that seems all messed up but that dog being on the line may make the difference between massive damage to the base and death to many others. An MWD may have to give his life in a chemical environment to stay out there doing his job right up till the chemical attack.

Brian,
And that's why all of have a lot of respect for both MWD's and their handlers. They stand out on the line and protect us. And though they don't hear it often enough - a sincere "Thank You" is deserved!


It's a shame that some former military handlers like "Captain" Haggerty give dog handlers a bad name. Maybe it's just the long years that makes some people stupid. Reading the crap that he posts, he couldn't have made it on active duty for six months with that IQ. :rolleyes:

Curiosity Brian.... do you guys spend alot of time training the Stay under the poncho?

Prior to heading to a deployed environment where NBC is a concern, most kennels will go over these types of things with their handlers and practice with their dogs. It's a lot like putting a dog in a "down" and leaving his sight for an extended period. Most dogs will want to look out to see where you went. With a lot of training though it can be sucessful. I wouldn't say we spend a lot of time on it though until it becomes necessary to deploy.

This whole thread is pretty funny really. beat up on Captain Haggerty, explore gas masks for dogs, and arm the buggers with MP5's.
Dogs in a chemical warfare environment don't belong. They do need a safe way to leave if possible. On police dogs the idea of a gas mask is pretty funny. Hell I hate the things myself and though you might be able to convince a dog that it won't come off so give up trying since they'd be of no use may as well put 'em up.
In a military environment a vehicle set up for NBC certainly would be a option.
The fact that Haggery started this is absolutly laughable though. I've only met him once, a long time ago. I was fairly new to the apprehension work with dogs and his answers (to questions not even directed to him) were goofy and I could see that as green as I was.
I just have to close this thread now.