post by zipper | | Skydiving Special Forces Bomb Sniffer Dogs < on 8/8/2011 6:57 PM >
That first step out the door on the way to work is a lulu for Austria’s Special Forces Belgian Shepherd dogs. Strapped into their harnesses and onto their partners for the trip from 10,000 feet in the air to the ground below, these skydiving dogs take it at their ease as highly trained bomb sniffing dogs. Kitted out with muzzles to protect their snouts and jaws on landing, handlers say the dogs are quite calm jumping out of the plane, noting that they don’t perceive height in the way we do. Because of this difference, the dogs are much better at skydiving than most recruits, according to comments given to the Daily Mail reporter.
The NATO exercise over Norway that included special forces dogs, Operation Cold Response, brought together 8500 soldiers from 14 countries, including British Special Forces and Royal Marines assault teams, making it one of Europe’s biggest military training events. The training took place over a period of three weeks.
To get their bomb-sniffing job done, all sniffer dogs begin training in the same way, no matter what the object of the exercise may be–money, drugs, weapons, bedbugs, mold, termites, bombs, people, it’s all a game of hide-and-seek with a tasty reward to reinforce the request. Depending on the situation, handlers in the field sometimes need to reinforce and encourage the “seek” and are prepared to set the dog on the trail to success with a mock find so the dog doesn’t become discouraged and lose interest in the “game.” Only positive reinforcement methods are applied.
The dog’s handlers were quick to mention that each dog is a true special forces team member, and no team member is ever exposed to unnecessary risk.
It is remarkable that with all the technological advances, dogs are still our best hope in so many areas. I wonder, how many job titles do dogs hold, anyway? Anyone have an educated guess?
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