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FM 7-40
K«t FIELD MANUAL
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SCOUT DOG TRAINING
AND
EMPLOYMENT
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
MARCH 1973
MOS ADDITIONAL SKILL IDENTIFIERS
(AR 611-201)
The MOS additional skill identifier for an 11B infantryman employed
as a scout dog handler is PC.
The MOS OOC, Dog Trainer, designates a primary skill as an instructor
in military dog training. The MOS additional skill identifier for OOC
in scout dog training is P6.
COMMENTS ON MANUAL
Users of this publication are encouraged to submit recommended changes
or comments to improve the publication. Comments should be keyed
to the specific page, paragraph, and line of the text in which the change
is recommended. Reasons should be provided for each comment to insure
understanding and complete evaluation. Comments should be prepared
using DA Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications) and for-
warded direct to the Commandant, United States Army Infantry School,
Fort Benning, Georgia 31905.
FM 7-40
PffiLD Manual ) HEADQUARTERS
[ DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
No. 7-40 ) Washington, D. C, 1 March 1973
SCOUT DOG TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
Paragraph Page
Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION 1—8 3
2. SCOUT DOG TEAM TRAINING
Section I. Screening Dogs for Training 9, 10 5
II. Principles of Training llr-13 6
III. Training Requirements 14—19 6
Chap-tee g. THE FOOD-REWARD METHOD
Section I. General 20 9
II. The Search Chain 28—32 14
Chapter 4. BASIC SCOUTING
Section I. General S3— 35 27
II. Suspicious Training 36 — 38 29
III. Training Considerations r 39—47 29
IV. Integration of Tripwires, Mines, Boobytraps, 48 — 56 35
and Caches
Chapter 5. INTERMEDIATE SCOUTING
Section I. Training Considerations 57 — 60 43
1L Effects of Wind and Terrain SI, 62 44
III. Detection of Personnel and Equipment Underground, 63 — 66 50
Above ground, and Underwater --
IV. Night Training 87—69 53
Chapter 6. SPECIALIZED TRAINING
Section I. General , 70, 71 65
II. River Crossing 72, 73 55
III. Rappelling 74, 75 67
IV. Search of Built-Up Areas 76—81 66
Chapter 7. ADVANCED SCOUTING 82—86 69
8. EMPLOYMENT
Section I. General 89, 90 71
II. Types of Employment 91—100 73
Appendix A. REFERENCES 81
B. PATROL BRIEFING DATA GUIDE 82
C. SENTRY DOG TRAINING 84
D. BASIC SCOUTING AREA LAYOUT - 97
INDEX 98
1
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1 . Purpose
This manual is a guide for Army personnel
charged with the training and employment of
scout dog teams. When combined with other ap-
plicable manuals and programs of instruction,
this manual forms the basis for conduct of a for-
mal program for the training of scout dogs and
handlers. Additionally, this manual provides guid-
ance for commanders and staff officer's in the
capabilities, limitations, and tactical employment
of scout dog elements in infantry operations.
2. Scope
This manual covers the general and specialized
aspects of the training and employment of scout
dogs and handlers,
I Note: FM 20-20, Basic Care and Training of Military
Dogs, is a prerequisite for use of this manual relative to
dog training.
3. The Scout Dog Team
The scout dog team consists of one trained Ger-
man Shepherd scout dog and one school-trained
handler. Most of the information in this publica-
tion deals with the training and employment
of this element. Scout dog teams can be grouped
with administrative, technical, and command
and control personnel to form scout dog platoons
or sections of composite tactical dog platoons.
A detailed discussion is contained in chapter 8.
4. Scout Dog Team Mission
The mission of the scout dog team is to support
infantry combat operations by providing silent,
early warning of foreign presence or devices out-
side the main body of supported troops.
5. Capabilities
The scout dog's superior senses of smell, hearing,
and sight enable it to give silent indication of the
presence of a variety of foreign presences. Com-
bined with the handler's ability to interpret these
indications and judge their significance, the
team can provide the commander with the fol-
lowing:
a. Silent, early detection of individuals or
groups in the vicinity of a friendly patrol (am-
bushes, snipers).
b. Detection .of infiltrators approaching a
friendly position.
c. Assistance in the detection of tunnels,
bunkers, or other means of hiding personnel and/
or storing food, ammunition, or supplies.
d. Assistance in the detection of casualty-
producing devices.
6. Limitations
Although the scout dog team is a tactical ele-
ment, it is neither self-sustaining nor self-
protecting. Since the handler must concentrate
his efforts on interpreting his dog's reactions,
and on controlling the dog during contact with
the enemy, the team is normally provided with
one or more bodyguards to protect the team
until the handler can defend himself or withdraw
from contact.
7, Evolution of the Concept
a. The scout dog, under various names, has
supported combat operations for over 5,000 years.
The requirement for a means of providing early
warning of the enemy is essential to any army.
b. The modern evolution of the scout dog team
as a tactical element began in World War II, when
large numbers of scout dogs were employed suc-
cessfully by the Allied and Axis powers in all
theaters of operation. The United States deployed
and utilized large numbers of scout dogs during
World War II (15 platoons ) s the Korean Con-
flict (3 platoons), and the Vietnam Conflict
(25 platoons).
c. Although the scout dog's most effective util-
ization in the past has been in unconventional or
counterguerrilla warfare, the adaptability of the
3
concept (the use of modern behavioral training
methods, and the development of electronic con-
trol measures) will insure the value of the scout
dog team in any future conflict.
8. Responsibilities
a. Training. The US Army Infantry School
has responsibility for training instructors, lead-
ers, handlers, and dogs in the scout dog pro-
gram,
6. Command. Commanders are responsible for
the proper employment, handling, care and con-
tinued training of scout dogs assigned or attached
to their units.
4
CHAPTER 2
SCOUT DOG TEAM TRAINING
Section f. SCREENING DOGS FOR TRAINING
9. Procedure
The scout dog is the basic infantry tactical dog.
As such, it must be more versatile and adaptable
than other military working dogs. The term
"screening" refers to the procedure used to class-
ify dogs for the type of military service for which
they seem best qualified. This classification is
based on observation of the physical and psycho-
logical traits manifested by the dogs from the
time they are tested upon arrival at reception
and training centers, throughout their basic
training period, and even after they have begun
specialized training. It is imperative to continue
observing the dogs throughout the training pro-
gram. The potentialities of some dogs and in-
herent weaknesses of others may come to light
unexpectedly. The dogs are initially observed by
a classification board consisting of a command-
ing officer and selected instructors. On the basis
of physical and psychological traits manifested,
the board may reject a dog before it is accepted,
or at any time during training.
10. Selection for Type of Specialized Training
The classification board has the responsibility
for deciding which dogs will be trained as scout
dogs and which will be trained for other duty.
The selection is based on consideration of the
demonstrated qualities of an individual dog as
measured against the requirements for the sev-
eral types of duty. Scouting makes many demands
on a dog's intelligence, temperament, and stam-
ina. Dogs that qualify best in these traits may be
selected for scout training. During the course
of scout training, a dog may show that it is not,
after all, suitable. It may then be transferred to
another type of training.
Section II. PRINCIPLES OF TRAINING
1 1 . General
Basic dog training is an end in itself. It serves
simply, but necessarily, to develop in dogs the
behavior that is essential to efficient and effective
training for specific military functions. A dog
that successfully completes basic training is dis-
ciplined and prepared to receive instruction in
its particular military duties. Furthermore, its
behavior during basic training, if properly ob-
served, is an indication of the type of specialized
training for which it is best suited.
12. Scout Training
a. Training the dog to scout begins immedi-
ately after obedience training. This training is
subdivided into basic, intermediate, and advanced
scouting. During the latter portion of training
rappelling, village and/or built-up area search,
and river crossing are integrated into the train-
ing.
6. Basic scouting emphasizes teaching the
handler how to read his dog's alerts, teaching
the dog what to alert on, and developing team
ability in scouting techniques such as quarter-
ing the field and suspicious training.
c. Boobytraps are introduced during interme-
diate training along with medium range patrol-
ling. Emphasis is on tripwire explosives and
mines.
d. In advanced scouting the handler is ready
to employ what he has learned. Decoys are set
out over a large area and the handler is subjected
to all types of terrain and unusual conditions in
order to find the decoy. A number of dog teams
are taken out on patrol with one team scouting
at a time. The handler should now be ready to
5
detect the enemy and his devices. He learns to
scout over dry ground, hills, and swamps. Ob-
stacles such as crossing a log, a stream, or a deep
ravine should be mastered so that both the dog
and handler gain confidence.
13. Statement of Principles
The effectiveness of specialized dog training de-
pends on the regard shown for the following
fundamental principles :
a. The General Attitude of the Handler. A
handler must fully realize the importance of the
work that he is doing. He must understand and
appreciate the fact that dogs are used to conserve
manpower, conserve life, and to further the work
of the military service through the use of their
innate abilities.
6. The Importance of the Handler-Dog Rela-
tionship. The dog and handler must work as a
team. Therefore, no handler must be forced to
train an animal that he deems unsuitable. For
the same reason, if a dog appears unwilling to
serve a certain handler, it may be necessary to
assign it to another. On the other hand, once a
team has been established, the relationship should
be maintained. Only the handler should praise,
feed, or otherwise handle his dog.
c. Association of Ideas Facilitates Learning.
Where special equipment is used, the dog must
learn to associate this equipment with its work.
d. Motivation. The dog should be motivated
not only by food, or by praise and petting, but
also by the goal of accomplishing a mission. The
dog can and should be trained to complete a
task as an end in itself, not simply for the sake
of reward by the handler. In all training, there-
fore, the dog must be permitted to finish every
exercise successfully, no matter how many errors
it makes. The dog must always succeed.
e. Terrain, Distractions. Training is conducted
over varying terrain and in the face of gunfire
and other distractions to develop the dog's re-
sponsibility for given tasks and to insure the
accomplishment of its mission.
/. The Ability of the Dog is Developed by
Training During Daylight. The effects of day-
light training will carry over into actual service
at night. Training is difficult to conduct in dark-
ness because the handler cannot see well enough
to observe the dog's errors and correct them.
But the dog can carry over the effects of good
daylight training into night performance. The
dog and handler must be proficient in daylight
training before any training at night is attempt-
ed.
g. Review of Previous Training Maintains and
Raises the Level of Performance. Handlers must
use their best judgment in determining how
often previously learned exercises should be re-
peated.
h. Successful Training of Scout Dogs Depends
on the Care Taken for Their Welfare. Unless
the dogs are kept in good health, properly groom-
ed, fed, and kenneled, the effectiveness of the
training program will be diminished.
Section III. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
1 4. General
Most types of military dog training require an
unusually high instructor/student ratio. Except
for obedience training, nearly all practical train-
ing must be conducted on an individual basis.
The primary reason for this is the fact that the
instructor/trainer will normally be training stu-
dents with untrained dogs. Since the dog cannot
understand verbal instruction, the instructor/
trainer must "filter" his instruction to the dog
through the medium of a student who is himself
untrained. This unique aspect of military dog
training demands an unusually high degree of
expertise and patience on the part of the instruc-
tor/trainer. Other reasons include the types of
terrain over which instruction is conducted, and
the fact that each student team mut be worked
individually on uncontaminated training lanes.
It is therefore necessary that sufficient qualified
personnel be available to permit the assignment
of one instructor /trainer to three student/dog
teams (in effect, one instructor to six "students").
To provide realism, insure troop and dog safety,
and achieve the requisite technical proficiency,
this ratio should be maintained as closely as
possible.
15. Instructor/Trainer
Note: The instructor /trainer is so termed because he
both instructs students and trains dogs, skills which are
integrated yet distinct. For simplicity, he will hereafter
be referred to as an instructor.
Responsibility for conducting scout dog team
training should rest with qualified military dog
trainers (instructors) (MOS OOC). Whenever
possible they should have previous experience in
6
scout dog training. When a shortage of qualified
trainers exists, experienced scout dog handlers
may be used as assistant instructors. This is not,
however, desirable since few handlers have the
depth of experience necessary to cope with the
many training and motivational problems that
inevitably develop in training scout dog teams.
16. Handlers
A scout dog team consists of one scout dog and
its handler. Handler/students must meet the re-
quirements discussed in FM 20-20. The handler
is responsible for the daily care and grooming
of his dog and the maintenance of its kennel
area. Since a strong bond of affection between
dog and handler must be established and main-
tained, each handler should be assigned only one
dog, and he should retain that animal until they
graduate as a team or until one of them is elimi-
nated from the training program.
1 7. Dogs
Sufficient dogs must be available so that there is
one for every student to be trained. An additional
number of dogs equal to at least 10 percent of each
student class should be available. In any given
group, a certain number of students and dogs
will not be psychologically or motivationally
compatible, thus, sufficient excess dogs must be
available to allow for proper "mating" of handler
and dog.
18. Equipment
Scout dog handlers require the following equip-
ment in addition to their normal field gear:
a. Choke chain collar.
6. Leather collar.
c. 5-foot, and 25-foot leashes.
d. Feed pan.
e. Kennel or "stake out" chain.
/. Equipment holder.
g. Intrenching tool.
h. Harness.
i. A pouch or bag for carrying food.
j. Whistle.
The military construction worker's apron (fig
1) is ideal for carrying food, although ammuni-
tion pouches or other items which can be secured
to the web belt are acceptable.
1 9. Terrain
All infantry tactical dog training requires large
areas of terrain. Fifty student scout dog teams,
for example, require a minimum of 10,000 acres
of training area. A good rule of thumb is to
multiply the number of teams by 100 acres, and
then double or triple this figure to allow for
rotation. There are three primary reasons for
these large terrain requirements.
a. Contamination. After scout dog training
has been conducted in a given area for approxi-
mately 1 week, the area becomes so contaminated
by confusing human and animal scents that it
Figure 1. Military apron used to carry food for dog.
7
becomes difficult or impossible for the dogs to
distinguish between these scents and those of the
personnel they are expected to locate. For this
reason, areas should be rotated weekly to allow
the distracting scents to dissipate, the vegetation
to recover, and to prevent the dogs from becom-
ing too familiar with a given area.
b. Safety and Proximity. Since nearly all scout
dog training is conducted in the off-leash mode,
the teams in training must be dispersed to pre-
vent the possibility of injury to personnel or dogs
by dog fights. In addition, training lanes must
be far enough apart so that a team working one
lane is not distracted or interfered with by a
team on another lane.
c. Diversification. The scout dog team must
be trained to operate effectively over any type
of terrain. For this reason, maximum use must
be made of the terrain diversity in any military
training area. Ideally, basic scouting should be
conducted over relatively open, level terrain. As
the complexity of training progresses, so must
the complexity of the terrain. The final stages
of advanced scouting should be conducted over
the most difficult terrain available, making maxi-
mum use of hills, streams, woods and all-type
natural and manmade obstacles. A final point is
that, where feasible, training should be conduct-
ed in an area which resembles the area to which
the teams are to be deployed (service unit) .
8
CHAPTER 3
THE FOOD-REWARD METHOD
Section I INTRODUCTION
2®. Qemml
There are two basic methods used in the training
of military dogs, the praise-punishment method
and the food-reward method. Both methods make
use of the principle of reward for performance
and punishment for nonperformance or misbe-
havior.
a, Praise-Punishment Method. This is the tra-
ditional method used by animal trainers. Simply
stated, when the dog successfully performs some
task it is rewarded by praise and petting. When
it fails to perform, or misbehaves, it is punished
by verbal disapproval and physical discomfort
or mild pain. This method is most effectively used
where highly disciplined dogs are required, and
in training military dogs which must be highly
aggressive.
b. Food-Reward Method. This method is rela-
tively new to military dog training, although it
has long been used by animal behaviorists. It
is also referred to as behavioral conditioning,
stimulus-response training, or operant condition-
ing. In this method, the animal is conditioned to
associate the performance of a task or the pre-
sence of a particular object or odor with the
appearance of food and praise. The dog learns
that performing a task, such as locating an ob-
ject or scent, will bring the food reward and
praise. Here the food-reward method departs
from the traditional method in that it advances
the degree of subtlety. Failure to perform a given
task, rather than bringing physical punishment,
brings only the absence of food. This may seem
overly simple, but since food is, after sex, the
most important motivation to the dog, the method
is extremely effective. This method is most ef-
fectively used in training military dogs which
must perform a large variety of unrelated tasks,
or where the task to be performed is quite com-
plex or difficult. One important advantage of
this method is that, out of a given group of
untrained dogs, a larger percentage can be suc-
cessfully trained, to a higher overall degree of
proficiency, in less time than by the praise-
punishment method.
21. Food
Two types of food are necessary for successful
use of the food-reward method:
a. Training Food. This is the food given the
dogs as a reward for performing some task. For
this purpose a commercially-prepared soft-moist
dog food (FM 20-20) in the form of cubes or
large pellets is used. The cubes must be easily
handled and must not crumble when handled.
Each handler will require 1 to 2 pounds of train-
ing food for his dog each training day.
b. Goal Food. Goal food is a key factor in the
use of the food-reward method. This food is
given after the last work session if the dog has
performed well. For this purpose, use a commer-
cially-prepared, meat-base canned dog food which
is especially appetizing. At the completion of the
last work session of the day, the dog is given
the remainder (if any) of its prescribed daily
ration of training food plus the canned food.
If a dog has not performed well that day, it
receives no goal foodl (Goal food is not given
on non working days.) The dogs quickly learn
that they must perform well each day in order
to earn their goal food. REMBER: THE KEY
TO USE OF THE FOOD-REWARD METHOD
IS THAT THE DOG RECEIVES ONLY THE
FOOD THAT IT EARNS ! THE DOG IS NEVER
GIVEN FREE FOOD.
22. Preparation
Prior to introducing a dog to the food-reward
method, it is first necessary to deprive the dog
of food for 48 hours. This is normally done over
a weekend. By doing this, the dog's hunger will
increase its motivation to learn. During training,
the dogs are also partially deprived on weekends
9
and other nonworking days. Depending on each
dog's food requirements, appetite, and motiva-
tion, it may be given full ration (minus goal
food) on Saturdays and half -ration on Sundays
or half-ration on Saturdays and no ration on
Sundays.
23. Veterinary Supervision
Close coordination with and supervision by the
station veterinarian is necessary when using the
food-reward method. No dog should undergo the
preparatory food deprivation until the veterinar-
ians has insured that the dog's state of health
will allow it. Due to variations in motivation
and appetite, some dogs will gain or lose weight
during training. Close coordination with veteri-
nary personnel will prevent excessive weight loss
or gain. If a dog is unable to learn quickly
enough to earn its minimum daily ration, it
should be eliminated from training.
24. Training Pens
Although not essential, training pens facilitate
the introduction of the food-reward method by
isolating each team while working and by reduc-
ing the amount of training area required. There
should be one pen per five teams in training;
when necessary, up to ten teams can work with
one pen, but the number of trials per team will
be reduced. Each pen (fig 2) should be con-
structed of any fence post material and 48-inch
chicken wire. Dimensions should be 10 feet wide
by 20 to 30 feet long. One end should have a
simple gate in it. If pens are unavailable, condi-
tioning must be performed with the dogs on
leash. (See appendix D, example layout of basic
scouting area.)
25. The Reinforcer Word—Good
The word "Good" is used throughout training
as a reinforcer to inform the dog that it has
performed an expected task properly and/or that
food is about to appear. "Good" is called a rein-
forcer, not a command, since it is normally given
in a low-to-moderate, pleased tone of voice rather
than in a commanding tone. Food is the other
reinforcer for training purposes. ("Good" and
food are called positive reinforcers; punishment
is a negative reinforcer.)
Figure 2. Training pen.
10
Each handler should wear his apron filled with
training food. The apron is worn at the waist,
in front of or on the right side (fig 3). The
handler will take his dog into the pen, close the
gate, and remove his dog's leash. The dog is
allowed to roam about the pen for a few minutes
to accustom itself to its surroundings. The hand-
ler then begins the conditioning to "Good."
a. Step I. Whenever the dog is near the
handler, and especially if it is looking at him,
the handler says "Good;" 1/2 second later he
takes a cube of food from his apron and places
it in his dog's mouth (fig 4).
Note: Timing is essential during this and all future
stages of conditioning. The procedure must always be:
"Good;" 1/2 second pause, appearance of food. The handler
must not give the dog any cue or signal, such as reaching
toward the apron or bending over before the word "Good"
is said. This procedure is continued for several trials,
until the dog starts watching its handler and waiting for
food, or otherwise exhibits what is termed "begging
behavior."
b. Step 2. The handler waits until his dog
looks or moves away from him before saying
"Good" followed 1/2 second later by food as
before. When the handler is sure his dog is re-
sponding to "Good" and not other signals, such
as various body movements, he can begin "shap-
ing" his dog's responses. Conditioning of "Good"
is considered complete when the handler can
"shape" the dog to move away from him with
the word "Good." Training time for the average
dog is five or six trials, each lasting 10 to 15
minutes.
27. S2s©rds@ ora Slipping Prscedyre
a. Step 1. To shape the dog's behavior into a
certain response, such as moving away from the
handler, he says "Good" whenever his dog looks
away from him until the dog repeats "looking
away" consistently.
b. Step 2. The handler waits until his dog
makes a slight move away from him before say-
ing "Good," and continues this until the dog
repeats "starting to move away."
c. Step 3. The handler waits until his dog takes
a step away, then several steps, or until the dog
moves 4 or 5 feet each time, before saying "Good"
and have the dog return for food.
d. Step k. When the- dog repeats "moving
away," the handler may wait to say "Good" until
the dog moves in a desired direction. The in-
structor must insure that the handler doesn't
expect too much of his dog at one time. The
Figure 8. Handler wearing military apron.
handler will have to wait a long time for his
dog to accidentally go to the right spot in the
pen. He will have to wait again to get his dog to
continuously go to that spot, and he must expect
only slow results. During this phase of training
some dogs will become quite confused, and many
will constantly hesitate until they are sure they
are performing the correct action. Many handlers
will also become impatient or discouraged dur-
ing this period, especially if they see other
handlers' dogs progressing faster than their own.
The instructors must constantly remind the
handlers that each dog progresses at its own
pace and encourage them to be patient. If a
handler becomes disgusted or loses his temper,
any benefit from that day's training may be
lost.
e. Steps 5 and 6. One good technique for get-
11
Figure A.. Platting food in dog*s mouth.
ting the dog to move to a certain spot in the pen
is to "Divide" the pen into progressively smal-
ler sections. The handler should stand in the
center of the pen. He may then reinforce his dog
only when it is in that half of the pen to his
front (fig 5). Next, he may reinforce his dog
only when it is in one quadrant (fig 6), and so
forth until the dog continuously moves in only
one direction. The handler constantly withholds
reinforcement until his dog gets a little closer
to the desired spot, and expects a little more
each time. Once the handler has his dog going to
a particular spot, he must never reinforce his
dog for doing less, such as going only halfway
to the spot. Training time for the average dog is
two or three 10 to 15 minute sessions.
12
Section II. THE SEARCH CHAIN
28. General
The search chain (fig 7) is a sequence of events
whereby the procedure outlined in paragraphs
20 through 27 is used to shape the dog's behavior
toward some practical task (e.g., obedience ex-
ercise, finding people, boobytraps, and the like).
In the same manner as the dog's behavior was
shaped to go to a particular spot in the pen,
it can be shaped to perform almost any desirable
action.
29. Basic Search Chain
The basic search chain can be diagramed as an
unvarying, continuous sequence of simple events
as follows:
Si + Ri Rfi -* S 2 + R 2 -+ Rf 2 -+
As an example, the above sequence can be read
as "The First Stimulus (S) (a feed pan) plus
the First Response (R) (going to the feed pan)
leads to the First Reinforcer (Rf) (Good +
food) which leads to the opportunity to go to the
feed pan again which leads to "Good" + food
which leads to "
30. Pairing
The primary purpose of the search chain is to
provide a basic stimulus (Sj) which can be as-
sociated or "paired," with practical actions to
teach the dog, in smooth steps, its job of finding
people and objects. Simply stated, the basic
stimulus (Si) is paired with a new stimulus (S 2 )
unit the dog responds to both. Si is then faded out
of the picture until the dog responds only to the
new stimulus. As an illustrative example, S 2 will
represent a strange person or object, and R 2 the
dog's response, which may be looking suspiciously
at an object or alerting. Incorporating these new
factors into the basic search chain, the procedure
will look like this:
Si + Ri — + Rfi — ► Si,j + Ri, 2 *-*■ Rfa Si,2 +
Rfs — > S2 + R 2 — + Rf4
which can be read as "the presence of the feed
pan + the dog going to the feed pan brings
food; this leads to the presence near the feed
pan of S 2 ; the dog going to the feed pan and
alerting on S 2 brings food ; this leads to S 2 near
the feed pan ; the dog alerting on S 2 brings food ;
this leads to the presence of S 2 without the feed
pan ; the dog alerting on S s brings food." By using
this "pairing" procedure, any number of new
actions or objects can be introduced to the dog in
a short period of time,
31. Basic Search Chain Procedure (10 Steps)
a. Step 1 — Orientation on Feed Pan. Before
taking the dog into the pen, place a pan with
water and an empty pan at the far end of the
pen, so the dog can drink when it wishes. One
man, called the "dropper," with food in an apron,
will stand behind the pan (initially this should
be an assistant instructor; later another handler
can do this). The handler takes his dog into the
pen and stands 6 to 12 feet from the pan, facing
the dropper (fig 8). Thd dropper will take one
cube of food at a time, hold it at about waist
height (fig 9), and drop it into the pan so that
it makes an audible "plunk," or noise.
Note: The dropper should first practice this so that the
cubes will not bounce out onto the ground. Any food which
falls to the ground, at any time, must be picked up and
discarded. Otherwise the dog will look for this "free food"
rather than pay attention to its work.
As quickly as the dog eats a cube, another is drop-
ped. After five to six trials, the dropper halts
and waits until the dog looks into the pan
(orients) before continuing. Timing is import-
ant. The food must be dropped as the dog's head
is going down to the pan, NOT when it is coming
up. This procedure, if properly followed, will soon
cause the dog to look into the pan as soon as it
has eaten the previous cube. Orientation is con-
sidered complete when the handler takes his dog
to the pan and it immediately orients on the pan.
Traning time for the average dog is two 10-
to 15-minute sessions.
b. Step 2 — Recall ^Training. Begin this ses-
sion with a quick review of step 1. The handler
should begin by standing about 2 feet from the
pan. The dropper will drop one cube of food.
After the dog eats the food the handler recalls
it by giving the command (Dog's name) COME.
Some dogs will want to stay at the pan, and
Figure 7, The search chain.
14
Figure 8. Orienting the dog on the feeding pan.
it may be necessary to take the dog by the
collar with the left hand, gently lead it two or
three steps away from the pan, and turn to the
right to face the pan again. As the handler
begins his trim to the right, the dropper drops
a cube in the pan. At the same time the handler
releases his dog which, hearing the noise
(plunk), should go to the pan and eat. This
process will normally be repeated three to four
times before the dog starts returning without
assistance. Each time the handler allows 3 to 4
seconds between his command and his movement
to guide the dog. Initially, the sound should be
heard as the dog's head is passing the handler's
right leg (fig 10) ; at this point the handler
insures that the dog continues around behind
him and goes to the pan from his left (heel)
side. To do this he may have to start by grasp-
ing the dog's collar with his right hand until
the dog's head is behind him, then bend and
change hands, releasing the dog with his left
hand as the dog passes the heel position (fig
11, 12, 13). When the handler has his dog re-
turning satisfactorily without assistance, the
dropper begins delaying until the dog moves
a few inches farther around the handler, and
continues delaying (with about five trials at
each stage) until the food is hitting the pan
just as the dog reaches the heel position. The
dog is allowed to pass the heel position without
being stopped. Recall training in the search
chain is complete when the dog returns to its
handler on command and is being reinforced as
it passes the heel position on its way back to
IS
Figure 9. Dropper's position,
the pan (fig 14). The dog should perform a
minimum of 10 trials before going on to the
next step in the search chain. Training time
for the average dog is four to six 15-minute
sessions.
c. Step 3 — Stay at Heel Position. Begin by
reviewing step 2. On about the fourth trial,
the handler catches his dog's collar with his
left hand as the dog is just to his left rear
and holds it at the heel position (fig 15). The
dropper delays dropping the cube just until the
instant the dog stops straining at the collar.
When the dog stops at the heel position with
little or no pressure on its collar, the handler
can stop holding his dog. Make sure, however,
that the food is still dropped at the moment the
dog stops at the heel position, until it has stopped
on its own for eight to ten trials without
breaking the search chain. The dropper can then
delay by fractions of a second over 10 to 15
trials until the dog is staying at heel for several
seconds. Stay at the heel position is complete
when the dog stays at heel for about 5 seconds
before being reinforced, without breaking the
search chain, and without the handler's assist-
ance. Training: two to three 15-minute sessions.
d. Step U — Moveout Command. (The com-
mand MOVE OUT, given in a low, firm voice,
will be used to initiate nearly all future training
exercises; it is also used to initiate operational
patrols or exercises.) Eeview steps 1 to 3 as
needed. After several trials of step 4, the handler
gives the command MOVEOUT, accompanied by
the moveout arm gesture. This gesture is ac-
complished by using the right hand and arm in
a casting motion. With the fingers extended and
joined, the right forearm is brought forward
and up from the side until the fingers are point-
ing nearly straight up (fig 16). Continuing in
a smooth motion, the forearm is brought smartly
forward until the elbow is locked, with the arm
parallel to the ground at shoulder height (fig
17). (EEMEMBER: sloppy gestures produce
sloppy performance by the dog.) The moveout
command is given as soon as the dog sits; at
the moment the moveout signal is complete, the
dropper reinforces. This continues until the dog
starts moving out on command, instead of wait-
ing for reinforcement (10 to 15 trials). The
dropper will then start delaying reinforcement
until the dog is a few inches closer to the pan,
and continues this procedure until he is rein-
forcing when the dog reaches the pan. This step
is considered complete when the dog sits, waits
for the moveout command, and goes to the pan
before being reinforced (at least 10 trials).
Training time for the average dog is two 15-
minute sessions.
e. Step 5 — Reorientation on the Pan. Review
the previous step, then begin reinforcing when
the dog looks at the pan, even though it may be
several steps away (five to six trials). Some
dogs will orient on the dropper at this stage
and won't look in the pan. If the dog is losing
interest in the chain of events, the dropper can
silently place a cube in the pan as the dog is
returning to its handler. This should cause it
to look in the pan when it approaches, and the
dropper can start reinforcing the pan orienta-
tion. This step is complete when the dog orients
on the pan for 10 to 15 trials. Reorientation
time averages two 15-minute sessions.
/. Step 6 — Sit at the Pan. Review previous
step. At about the fourth trial the handler gives
16
Figure 10. Food pellet dropped into feeding pan as dog passes handler's right leg.
the command SIT just as the dog is orienting
on the pan and before its head comes up. The
moment the dog sits it is reinforced, even
though it may not be looking at the pan as it
sits. If the handler giving the command inter-
feres with the dog's position at the pan (the
dog may want to face its handler), the dropper
can give the command. After five to sis trials
the dog should orient on the pan and sit without
command. If the dog fails to orient before sitting,
the dropper may have to reinforce oreintation
for a few trials. Training time averages two to
three 15-nrinute sessions.
g. Step 7 — Reorientation After Sit. Review
previous step and then wait to reinforce until
the dog looks bacV. at the pan. The dog may lose
interest after one or two trials and return to
its handler to start again, but it should at least
glance in the direction of the pan after sitting
on the second or third trial. It can then be re-
oriented on the pan. Reorientation is considered
complete after 15 to 20 successful trials. Training
time: two to three 15-minute sessions.
Notes: 1. Notice that in the last several training steps,
the dog was reoriented to the pan following the introduc-
tion to the new action. This procedure will continue into
further stages of trainings.
2. When working the search chain, keep in mind that
the dog must successfully complete each step in the chain
in order to be reinforced. If it omits any step it is re-
quired to begin the trial again. Some dogs will try to
take short cuts to get reinforced, such as remaining at
the pan to get mote food without working for it. The dog
17
FigWre 11. Step 1 — handler guiding dog to heel position (right hand).
soon learns that this doesn't work, and it returns to the
search chain. Sometimes a dog will fail to stop at heel
when it should, but again it is not reinforced; it is re-
quired to start again, and it learns that stopping at heel
is the only action that will "turn on" reinforcement.
3. A common problem instructors must be alert for is
that of handlers attempting to advance their dogs along
the search chain too quickly. This will only confuse the
dogs. Another pitfall is trying to teach a dog two tasks
(e.g., orienting and sitting) at the same time. Again,
most dogs will only become confused and quit working.
This often causes the handler to believe his dog is stupid
or lacks motivation.
h. Step 8 — Reconditioning of Reinforeer
"Good." In preparation for elimination of the
dropper, the dogs must first -be reconditioned
to "Good" (i.e., "Good" will replace the noise
at the feed pan indicating the appearance of
food). Review step 7; when the dog orients on
the pan after sitting, the dropper reinforces
with "Good," waits 1/2 second, then takes a
cube of food, quickly places his hand, palm up,
inside the pan and allows the dog to eat the
cube. Since the dog has previously been condi-
tioned to "Good," it should quickly learn that
the voice sound "Good" has replaced the noise
at the feed pan as the signal that produces
food. Reconditioning should average two 10-min-
ute sessions.
i. Step 9 — Elimination of the Dropper. Review
step 8. The handler will now take over the role
of reinforcing his dog. When his dog orients
on the pan after sitting, the handler reinforces
with "Good," steps up to the pan and places
his hand, palm up with food, into the pan, allow-
18
Figure 12. Step % — handler continues guiding dog to keel position (both hands).
ing his dog to eat the cube. When starting this
procedure the handler should stand about 2 feet
to his dog's rear. He will alternate to his dog's
left and right sides when reinforcing. This
maintains the dog's position relative to the pan.
The dropper will be standing in his usual pos-
ition until it is determined that the dog has
learned his reinforcement is coming from his
handler. The dropper then takes one step back
from the pan every two or three trials until
he is out of the immediate training area. The
handler and dog should be moving back to their
starting point at the same time.
Note: After the dropper has been eliminated from the
search chain, the handler can begin working on distance.
He should take about one step back from the pan every
three or four trials. REMEMBER: The dog is easily
confused; handlers must not try to advance their dogs to
a new step until they are proficient at the previous step.
This step is considered complete when the handler has
gained a minimum distance of 15 feet from the pan and
his dog is proficient without the dropper. Training time:
four to five IB-minute sessions.
j. Step 10 — Distance Training. Review step
9. Every three to four trials the handler takes
one or two steps back from the pan. This pro-
cedure can be continued until the handler is at
any desired distance from the pan; it should
be carried to a minimum of 25 meters and can
be continued out to 100 meters or more. Training
time: four to five 15-minute sessions. This com-
pletes the search chain with the feed pan.
Jc. Goal Food. As described in paragraph 21b,
goal food is that portion of a dog's prescribed
ration not eaten during training plus one can
19
Figure IS. Step S — handler completes guiding dog around {left'hand).
of tasty dog food. Goal food should be given
on the last trial of the day, since it is important
to associate goal food with the dog's work. Dur-
ing the last session of the day, if the handler
and instructor agree that a dog has performed
well enough to earn its goal food, the goal food
will be placed near the pan before the last trial
is complete. At the completion of the last trial,
instead of saying "Good" the handler says
"Chow" in an excited, happy tone of voice. He
moves quickly to the pan, maintaining his ex-
cited manner. It is important that the dog realizes
that this procedure is significant and that the
dog has caused it to happen by pleasing its
handler. As soon as he reaches the pan, the
handler prepares the goal food. He may talk
happily to his dog or repeat "Chow" several
times while doing this. After receiving goal food,
the dog does no further work that day, but
the handler should play with his dog and groom
it. For dogs that require more association of
food with their work, it may be desirable to
give a small portion of the daily ration on the
last trial of each session. If so, it should be
given in the same manner as regular goal food.
The handler will need to know how many ses-
sions his dog will work that day and regulate
its food accordingly. The end-of-the-day goal
food must be the largest portion. It is desirable,
but not always practical, to give goal food at
different times each day, so the dogs will not
learn to anticipate it. Once a dog has learned
that "Chow" will be followed by goal food, its
handler can gradually increase the interval be-
20
tween "Chow" and receipt of goal food a few
feet each day. This will be useful when working
long lanes, as the dogs will run to their pans
on "Chow" and wait for their goal food.
I. Timeout. A dog is "timed out" when it will
not work, when it misbehaves or malperforms,
whether through ignorance or deliberately. A
common reason is lack of motivation for food.
Instructors must insure that the handlers don't
cause timeouts by expecting too much of their
dogs or trying to advance them too quickly. This
only confuses the dog; if it is confused or timed
out too many times in succession, it may refuse
to work at all. If a handler's dog is confused,
he should reestablish its confidence by backing
off to an earlier step of training that the dog
can perform successfully. Once he has decided to
time his dog out, the handler must be sure that
he gives the signal at the moment his dog is
doing something wrong. A low, stern NO is a
good signal for this purpose. After giving the
signal, the handler immediately puts his dog
on-leash, keeps it at close heel (fig 18), and
takes it to an area away from other dogs and
from its usual stakeout. After locating a suitable
tree or post, the handler will tie his dog so that
it cannot run around or lay down.
Warning; This is done only when directed by
an instructor and under his supervision! (fig
19 and 20).
The dog is left alone, but the handler stays where
he can watch to insure his dog doesn't choke
or hurt itself. The instructor will determine if
the dog should be timed out for a short period
21
Figure 15. Handler moves dog : left hand on collar.
and worked again, or timed out until the next day.
In hot weather the dog will be staked in the shade
with water. Most timeouts should not exceed 15 to
20 minutes.
32. Concurrent Training
Concurrent training is performed outside the
pen without the search chain. It should include
conditioning of "Good," MOVEOUT, COME,
HEEL, SIT, DOWN and STAY.
a. Start on the 5-foot leash while conditioning
"Good," then advance to the 25-foot leash and
to off leash as the dog becomes proficient at
the movements. Condition the dog to "Good" in
the same manner as outlined in paragraph 26.
The difference being that the dog is on-leash
instead of in the pen. Conditioning of "Good"
outside of pen should progress at the same rate
as inside. When the dog is conditioned to "Good,"
the handler can start shaping his dog to move
away from him as outlined under paragraph 27.
He should advance to the 25-foot leash at this
time and shape the dog to a minimum distance
of 15 feet before starting recall training.
b. Up to this point the dog has automatically
returned to the handler when the word "Good"
has been given. In effect, "Good" has been a form
of recalling the dog. Now, the dog is to return
on the command COME. It will be necessary
to pair the old signal "Good" with the new
signal COME. COME is given first, followed im-
mediately by the old signal "Good." When the
handler sees the dog starting to return on COME,
22
Figure 16. Step 1 — nwveout gesture, starting position,
he can start delaying the word "Good." As his
dog starts to turn and come back to the handler
when COME is given, the turn movement is
reinforced with "Good." The dog completes the
turn before hearing "GoocJ;" the handler then
waits until his dog takes a step toward him
before saying "Good," then two steps and so on
until the dog has been shaped to return to the
handler's right side on COME before being rein-
forced with "Good."
c. When the dog is performing well on COME,
the handler starts taking his dog by the collar
with his right hand and gently pulling it around
to his rear, catching 'the collar with his left
hand and bringing the dog to the heel position.
At the moment the dog reaches the heel position,
its handler reinforces with "Good" and 1/2 sec-
Figure 17. Step 2 — moveout gesture, completed.
ond later delivers a piece of food. After three or
four trials the handler can start giving his dog
HEEL when he reaches for its collar to guide
it around and into the heel position. The handler
gives less and less help to his dog as training
progresses, until the dog is coming around him
and stopping at the heel position on the com-
mands of COME and then HEEL.
d. When the dog stops at the heel position,
the handler puts his left hand at the base of
the dog's tail and applied mild pressure until
the dog sits. At the moment the dog sits it is
reinforced with "Good" and then given food in
the usual manner. When the dog starts sitting
as the handler touches it at the base of the tail
(croup), the handler can then start giving the
verbal SIT command an instant before touch-
23
Figure IS. Dog at close heel.
ing the dog, until the dog is sitting on the
verbal command for reinforcement and the touch
has been eliminated.
e. When the dog is sitting on command, the
handler takes the leash in his left hand, close
to the dog's neck, gently pulling down until the
dog goes down; the instant the dog is down the
handler reinforces as usual. Continue with less
pull on the leash each trail until the dog goes
down on command without assistance.
/. The handler starts with the dog sitting at
the heel position, gives the verbal command
STAY and, holding the dog back with his left
hand, takes a- half step forward and then rein-
forces. This continues until the dog ceases trying
to move with its handler and he can stop re-
straining his dog. He can then take two steps
after giving STAY before reinforcing. Continue
this procedure until the handler can move away
from his dog to the desired distance. When the
dog has learned all of these commands, the hand-
ler can then start giving them without a set
pattern, such as giving the dog DOWN after
moving to the end of the leash, or STAY when
the dog is coming back on recall ; each command
given in this way should be reinforced because
it is no longer a chain leading up to reinforce-
ment as far as the dog is concerned. After the
dog has learned to perform all of the commands,
the handler can give a series of commands before
reinforcing. If he wants a new signal or com-
mand to take over, or have the same effect as an
old signal (i.e., he has already taught the dog
to go down on the verbal command and he wants
it to go down on the hand gesture), the handler
gives the new command (hand gesture) an in-
stant before giving the old command DOWN.
The dog will associate this new signal with
the old one and start working on it. The differ-
ence in the search chain is that the handler
wants the dog to perform a series of events,
one after the other, by giving the dog a minimum
number of commands; in concurrent training
he wants to gain control of his dog in all possible
situations.
24
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4 *:fc;:;.tifr '/-r^-V J " V, •
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:-iii*.™r fl»\;.^ ,|, i:,""'<|i,"i« : "V
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tr" ; , "
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ill!".:!-''*-'
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i;:r:iii*%i£krfi , -r.- ' #(' ■ fif
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Figure IS, Dog staked for timeout — standing.
25
Figure SO. Dog staked for timeout — sitting.
CHAPTER 4
BASIC SCOUTING
Section S. GENERAL
33. Scope
ft. During basic scouting, the handler learns:
(1) How his dog alerts on different targets.
(2) How to read (interpret) on dog's
alerts.
(3) How to work his dog on short (50- to
300-meter) patrols.
(4) How to judge wind, weather, and ter-
tain factors.
b. The scout dog learns:
(1) That it must be suspicious of and find
hidden human decoys.
(2) That it must recognize and alert on
tripwires, mines, boobytraps, and caches.
34. The Changeover
a. The Leather Harness. The use of the leather,
or working harness is an important part of the
dog's training. Most types of military dogs learn
in their training to associate wearing of the
choke chain or leather collar with obedience
training, play, or rest, and associate the leather
harness with work. The leather harness also
removes the restriction around the dog's neck,
gives it more freedom of action, and gives the
handler greater control over his dog during ad-
verse conditions such as difficult terrain or con-
tact with the enemy. It is therefore required that
the collar be replaced with the leather harness
prior to any scouting exercise. This procedure
is called the changeover.
b. Procedure. The handler faces his dog into
the wind and straddles it from the rear to effect
the changeover (fig 21). He will run the leash
down his dog's back, place the harness over the
dog's head, and buckle it snugly (he keeps the
loop over his wrist during this procedure). The
handler will then unsnap the leash and attach
it to the D-ring on the harness, holding onto
his dog by placing two fingers under the har-
ness. He then removes the collar and places it
on his web belt, in his pocket, or an empty pouch
of his apron.
35. Noise Discipline
From the beginning of basic scouting, the scout
dog is always reprimanded if it barks or whines
for any reason while working (except for sus-
picious and chase training). The scout dog may
bark or whine only in the kennels or during
play, stakeout, or travel periods. The handler
can correct his dog by commanding NO. This
failing, he may gently hold his dog's mouth shut.
When necessary, he will strike his dog in the
windpipe with his hand or grasp it by the throat
and apply pressure until the dog stops trying to
make noise (fig 22).
27
28
/
Figure 22. Silencing dog.
Section II. SUSPICIOUS TRAINING
36. Introduction
Suspicious training is conducted the first day of
basic scouting so the handler can see exactly
how his dog alerts on sound, sight, and scent.
In suspicious training,, the instructor places a
decoy downwind, out of the scent and sight of
the dog. He places the handler at a designated
point, having the handler kneel by his dog. The
instructor then has the decoy make a noise,
such as clicking the safety of his rifle, so the
handler can see how his dog alerts on sound.
The decoy will then move in a crouched and
suspicious manner so that the handler can see
how the dog alerts on sight. The decoy then
moves to a position upwind of the dog so that
the handler can see how his dog alerts on scent.
This should be repeated until the instructor is
sure that the handler can recognize the dog's
three types of alerts. Handlers should be given
an understanding of the various techniques used
to train a dog to detect and give early silent
warning of enemy presence as well as how to
read and interpret these alerts properly. Despite
the scout dog's innate senses it is not instinct,
but repeated training that develops the dog's
desire to detect a hostile force and to do this
silently under the control of the handler. It is
also training that teaches the handler how to
read his dog's behavior accurately; one must
complement the other if a well-trained team is
to result.
37. Types of Alerts
a. Natural Alert The natural alert is normally
used when alerting on personnel. Each dog will
alert in its own individual manner. Some dogs
will give a very pronounced alert, e.g., hackles
raised, growling, tail erect, ears forward, or even
standing on the hind legs. Other dogs may give
no more than a slight head or ear movement.
It is, therefore, necessary for each handler to
observe his dog's behavior carefully when work-
ing so that he can determine when his dog alerts
and judge the type of alert.
b. Conditioned (Sit) Alert. Scout dogs are
conditioned to give the sit alert on objects: trip-
wires, pits, and boobytraps. This alert is un-
mistakable, and pinpoints the location of what-
ever the dog has found. Furthermore, it provides
the handler with a clear distinction between
personnel and object alerts. This is an important
consideration when the handler must advise the
commander on his dog's alert.
38. The Decoy
Decoys are personnel used to simulate the enemy.
They play a vital role in the training of scout
dogs. A poor decoy can retard or ruin a scout
dog's progress.
a. Decoys should ideally be totally unfamiliar
personnel. At least they should be from differ-
ent training squads or groups, so that the dogs
don't become familiar with them and lose inter-
est.
6. Dogs associate certain happenings with cer-
tain localities, sounds, or people. During early
basic scouting, decoys should not always conceal
themselves behind only trees, rocks, or bushes.
If, on the first several scouting runs, a dog
finds its decoy behind the same object it will
associate such objects with finding decoys. This
will, consequently, eause the dog to rely on its
eyesight, which is inferior compared to its senses
of smell and hearing. This rule also applies to
training areas. They should be rotated frequently
so the dogs don't associate only certain areas
with decoys.
c. Since a decoy may sometimes have to re-
main in position for several hours, he must not
make himself so comfortable that he might tend
to fall asleep. This problem is especially evident
in very hot or very cold weather. This caution
is particularly important if a decoy must per-
form some action when a dog team approaches.
Section III. TRAINING CONSIDERATIONS
39. Commands
There are three basic commands used when
scouting: MOVEOUT, OUT, and NO.
a. The command. MOVEOUT is used to start
a scout dog searching. This command should be
repeated only as often as necessary to keep the
dog working. The command MOVEOUT should
be given in a low, suspicious tone of voice to
arouse the dog. It should not be given so loud
that it distracts the dog from its mission.
b. The second command introduced during
scouting is the command OUT. This command
signifies to the dog that it is to break off and
either continue the search for another decoy or
29
the problem ia over. The command OUT is not
a correction. If the dog fails to react to the
command then the handler precedes the com-
mand with NO.
40. Chase
During suspicious training, some dogs may show
little interest in the decoys. Others may appear
frightened or shy at first. Dogs that lack ag-
gressiveness must have their confidence and in-
terest increased if they are to be scout dogs.
This can usually be accomplished by using the
chase procedure. A handler can work his dog,
on leash, to within 15 feet of a decoy. The decoy
will rise from hiding in a slow, threatening
manner. When he has the dog's attention, he
will break and run straight away from the dog.
The dog's chase instinct should take over at this
time; the handler will encourage the dog by
running with it, giving it verbal encouragements
such as "Watch Him, Boy," or "Get Him." THE
DOG IS NEVER ALLOWED TO CATCH THE
DECOY AS THIS MAY DIMINISH THE DE-
COY'S DESIRE TO BE CHASED. The dog is
allowed to pursue for 15 to 30 meters; by pre-
arrangement the decoy will break to one side
and the handler will give his dog OUT and
break in the opposite direction. He will then
praise his dog. During the chase the decoy does
not shout or wave his arms as this may cause a
dog to become noisy and aggressive, even though
chase is the one time when the dog is allowed
to bark.
41. Using the Wind
a. The wind is the most important considera-
tion in the proper employment of a scout dog.
In addition to the various scents carried to the
dog by the wind, there are also sounds. There-
fore, it is essential that a -scout dog handler be
wind conscious, because the wind direction dic-
tates what route he should follow with his dog
in order that the dog may pick up the scent of
the decoy.
b. There are several methods by which the
handler may check wind direction while running
a problem. A reliable method is to watch the
dog, as it will point its nose into the wind to
sample and test the air currents. This is in-
stinctive with dogs. The handler may remove
his hat to allow his brow to come into contact
with the wind. There will be a drying effect
on the side exposed to the wind. By paying
close attention he can also feel the wind blowing
on exposed portions of his face and hands.
c. There are many- ways of checking the wind,
but there are also ways which should not be
used for security reasons or because they might
distract the dog from its mission. One method
that is not recommended is pulling hair from
the dog's back. This could be painful, if the
handler is not careful, and physical contact with
the dog can be a distracting influence. Kicking
the ground and stooping over to pick up grass or
dust is also distracting to the dog. There is
also the risk that you might alert the enemy
by the noise. Lighting a cigarette is dangerous,
especially at night. So there are two points to
remember when seeking a method of checking
wind direction: Does it violate security? Will
it distract the dog?
d. There are several points that should be taken
into consideration when working the wind. If the
sector to be cleared of decoys is rather narrow,
usually no wider than 50 meters, then the han-
dler ordinarily works his way straight into the
wind allowing his dog to roam back and forth in
front of him. On the other hand, if the area is
quite broad, the former method is not advisable
because the dog may miss a scent cone to its
right or left ; therefore, under such circumstances,
the handler should check the area, starting at
the downwind side and working diagonally
from right to left, then left to right, or vice
versa.
c. The wind is a variable factor, one that can
play tricks on the handler and the dog is they
are .not careful. It is subject to change without
notice, and many dogs will lose the scent only to
regain it later when the wind switches back.
There are also those dogs which will catch the
scent of a decoy, forget about the wind, and
start charging ahead blindly in the direction they
alerted. This must be avoided, for if the wind
should suddenly change the dog will soon run
out of the scent cone and subsequently end up
bewildered. It is always best to stop the dog
momentarily after it alerts to confirm that it
has alerted and to see if the wind might change.
This stop-and-go method is also advisable period-
ically throughout the entire duration of the prob-
lem, for the same reason. It is particularly vital
on any sudden wind change, so the handler can
determine if a new pattern of approach is re-
quired if the wind fails to switch back. In short,
do not rely on the wind always blowing from the
same direction — it may be fatal if an enemy
ambush is nearby.
/. If the handler observes his dog carefully he
will notice that his dog often alerts and instead
30
of going straight-in the dog will angle off to
its right or left. The dog does this because more
than likely it has hit the edge of the scent cone
and is working its way toward the center where
the scent is stronger. He should pay strict atten-
tion to his dog's behavior at this moment. He
should be able to determine by its actions whether
the dog is working the scent cone or has lost
interest (fig 23).
g. An important point for the handler to re-
member is not to permit the dog to lead him all
over the area. Many dogs will do this if the
handler doesn't watch them. They haven't alert-
ed, they're just wandering. Therefore, the handler
sticks to the route he is to follow, guiding his
dog as necessary.
42. Speed
a. Many scout dogs develop a tendency to work
too fast. This is usually due either to their over
anxiety to find and give chase to the decoy or
excess energy. A scout dog which works too fast
is apt to miss alerts by running out of the scent
cone. It will tire quickly and create undue noise.
At night it could make enough noise to alert an
enemy a half-mile away. Result: An ambushed
patrol
6. The handler must concentrate on slowing his
dog down after the first few training problems.
He must however, temper his corrections with
judgment: They must not be so harsh that the
dog is discouraged from working. Some recom-
mended corrective measures are:
(1) Work the dog a few times without de-
coys, so it will learn not to expect decoys on every
problem.
(2) Recall the dog periodically, make it sit
until it settles down before continuing (fig 24).
(3) Let the dog trail the 25-foot leash. It
will soon tire of the leash snagging or being step-
ped on by the handler.
(4) Tie a 10-pound weight to the leash and
let the dog drag it. It will soon tire of this.
43. Silence
a. Silence is part of a good scout dog. A dog
that barks or whines on patrol is a serious and
costly liability. Not only will it alert the enemy
to the patrol's approach or presence, it may also
set the patrol up for an ambush.
b. Every time a dog barks or whines, regard-
less of where it is, it must be silenced immedi-
DECOY
(sdtJ scout dog team
DECOY
□
ROUTE
SCENT CONE
Figure 2S. Basic scouting -procedure (verifying alert).
31
Figure 24. Scout dog. on patrol.
ately. The handler can do his by clamping his
dog's mouth shut and commanding NO, or by
choking off the dog's air supply momentarily
until it is quiet.
e. Keeping seout dogs quiet is a Bi-hour-a-day
job in a scout dog unit. If the dog's handler is
not present to make the correction another han-
dler or the charge-of-quarters should assume the
responsibility. This they can do by commanding
NO, or throwing a small object near the dog.
The point is that a scout dog must be quiet.
There is no other alternative.
44. Placing Decoys
a. Never walk across the area to be scouted.
This will leave fresh tracks for the dog to follow
if it is so inclined. In going to his position, the
decoy should make a big sweep around the area to
be worked, coming in "from the rear (fig 25).
6. Never allow handlers or dogs to see where
the decoy is being placed. This will cause the han-
dler to lead his dog into the decoy instead of
permitting the dog to find him using its senses of
smell and hearing. On the other hand, if the dog
sees where the decoy is hiding it will rely on
its eyesight to find him. In such instances it is
a waste of training time to even start a problem.
c. Once the decoy is in place he should remain
silent and out of sight. He must refrain from
smoking. Mistakes on the part of the decoy can
cause a dog to become a sight-hunter.
45. Breaking a Scout Dog of Tracking
a. It is instinctive with dogs to track, but for
a scout dog it is undersirable. The dog must
learn to rely exclusively on airborne scent in
order to be totally effective. A dog that tracks
could lead a patrol into an ambush. Tracking is
not a difficult habit to break, nor does it require
an undue amount of effort and patience on the
part of the handler, but it must be constant. All
it requires is skill, repetition, and ample opport-
unity for the dog to pick up an airborne scent.
For the latter reason the handler should try to
avoid all situations which might encourage the
dog to track.
6. There are two means by which a dog can be
discouraged from ground trailing while on pa-
tol: the handler can jerk its head up with the
leash whenever the dog puts its nose to the
ground, at the same instant commanding NO,
followed by the command SEARCH. The most
effective means is to eliminate the cause for
tracking.
32
46, Actions Takers by Handles' Wheni Going
in mi Dec&y
a. In an actual combat situation the handler
would never rush in on an enemy position. This
is not the scout dog team's mission. The team is
only a detection and warning device for the pa-
trol. Therefore, in the latter stages of training,
the handler will be taught what to do when his
dog gives a definite alert and what actions to
take in relaying information to the patrol leader.
b. It must be remembered that allowing a dog
to go in on the decoy during training is done
only to stimulate and maintain its interest, and to
confirm that it knows where to decoy is located.
47. Sound and Smell Alerts
Sound and smell alerts are essential in the train-
ing of scout dogs and should be a familiar portion
of the daily training. Best results may be obtain-
ed during night training, while conducting out-
post and ambush patrols.
33
Section IV. INTEGRATION OF TRIPWIRES, MINES, BOOBYTRAPS, AND CACHES
48. General
Prior to beginning this training, the handler
should have had the opportunity to observe his
and other dogs working. By doing this he will
learn that each dog reacts differently under
various situations, and how his dog reacts. Mines,
boobytraps, and homemade devices have been
used in warfare for centruies; they can kill,
disable, harass, and affect the morale of a fight-
ing unit. Patrols will encounter these devices in
combat; therefore, it is imperative that handlers
pay strict attention to this training. Although
the military dog is one of the most effective means
of detecting these devices, and often the only
means on hand, the dog is not infallible. It is the
handler's ability to interpret and react to his
dog's alerts that may mean the success of a mis-
sion. Training in detection of tripwires, mines,
boobytraps, and caches in conducted concurrently
with basic scouting procedures. For training pur-
poses, the four classes of targets are defined as
follows:
a. Tripwires. A length of material stretched
across diagonal or parallel to, the dog's path.
Material may be standard tripwire, string, or
monofilament line. Tripwires may be at varying
heights, angles, and degrees of concealment.
b. Mines. Simulated or real (defused) anti-
tank and antipersonnel mines will normally be
buried in road surfaces or shoulders at depths
varying from 1 to 12 inches and with varying
degrees of concealment.
e. Boobytraps. Explosive or nonexplosive cas-
35
ualty producing devices other than mines. These
are normally pyrotechnics or defused hand gre-
nades. When not attached to tripwires, booby-
traps may be hidden or buried at bridges, logs,
doorways, gates or other suitable locations.
d. Caches. Any item of military-related equip-
ment hidden at, above, or below ground level.
Items may include weapons, ammunition, cloth-
ing or web gear.
49. Introduction to Tripwires
Tripwires present some unique problems in train-
ing scout dogs. The most important factor is to
instill in the dog a reasonably caution towards
tripwires. Since most dogs will have a natural
suspicion of anything across their path, improper
technique can change this to fear. For this reason
exploding devices are not attached to tripwires
until advanced training. A dog which has had
several boobytraps blow up in its face may be-
come trail-shy and refuse to work. On the other
hand, if a dog is taught no respect for tripwires,
it may accidentally break them, or even do so
deliberately to show its handler it has found one.
A prudent balance must be made between desire
to find tripwires and caution about touching
them.
50. Tripwire Lanes
When first introducing tripwires, special lanes
should be used. These may be narrow (6 to 10
feet) dirt roads or lanes cut across fields. Each
lane should contain five to ten movable stakes
at least 31/2 feet long, with nails or hooks every
6 inches apart for a length of 3 feet; the wires
are placed at varying distances and heights. Trip-
wire at this point should be heavy white string
(easily visible) with weights on both ends to
hold it taut (fig 26 and 27). The strings should
be placed on different stakes for each dog.
51. Tripwire Training Device
Some dogs may have difficulty with early trip-
wire training, or may wander off the lanes and
bypass tripwires. In this case, a simple training
device may be constructed of lumber (fig 28).
The device should consist of two rails, 24 feet
long and 3 feet high, with posts every 3 feet.
Tripwires can be attached to the posts as with
the stakes on the lanes. This device is used in
Figure 2'f. Tripwire hookup.
36
the same manner as the training lane, but re-
stricts the dog's attention to its immediate en-
vironment. If desired, the rails may be covered
on the outside with chicken wire and gates may
be added.
52. Method
a. Step 1. As described previously, the search
chain substitution procedure is used. Initially,
each dog can be worked on one tripwire, placed
about 10 feet from the starting point and 1 foot
high. The dog is first introduced to the string
with the feed pan partially under the string and
the dropper behind the string (fig 29). The
search chain is employed, with the dog going to
the pan, eating the food and returning to the
heel position. This will acquaint the dog with
the string without instilling fear, and condition
it to stop at strings or wires.
b. Step 2. Repeat step 1 with the pan centered
under the wire. The distance of the string from
the starting point is increased until the dog con-
sistently goes through the search chain the full
length of the lane.
c. Step 3. The feed pan with one cube in it
is place 1 to 2 feet beyond the wire, which is in
the same position as in step 1. Here it is advisa-
ble to use three strings at 6, 12, and 18 inches,
to discourage the dog's jumping the wire to get
at the feed pan. The handler will follow his dog
closely as it moves out. As soon as his dog
gives the slightest indication of hesitation at
the barrier, the handler reinforces with "Good,"
and the dropper shoves the pan under the wire to
the dog. The dropper MUST MAKE NO MOVE
TOWARD the feed pan until "Good" is said.
Continue this procedure until the dog goes to
the barrier and waits for reinforcement. Grad-
ually reduce the number of wires to one, and be-
gin varying the wire height and distance.
d. Step .4. Fade out the feed pan and dropper.
To begin the handler will give food by hand on
every other trail. Gradually increase the ratio of
hand-to-pan delivery until all food comes from the
handler. At the same time, the dropper will grad-
ually move away from the wire until he is out of
the immediate training area. When this is ac-
complished, the feed pan is removed.
e. Step 5. As the pan and dropper are being
faded out, begin incorporating the sit response
at the tripwire. As soon as his dog stops at the
wire, the handler gives the sit command, fol-
Vigure 28. Tripwire training device.
37
Figure 29. Feed pan under white string.
lowed 1/2 second later by a light touch on his
dog's croup. When the sit movement is complete,
the handler reinforces. This procedure is con-
tinued until the dog consistently goes to the wire
and sits without command.
/. Step 6. Begin delaying reinforcement of the
sit response. When the dog sits, the handler gives
the stay command. After 1 to 2 seconds, if his
dog remains sitting, the handler reinforces. Con-
tinue until the dog remains sitting up to 5 se-
conds before reinforcement. From this point on,
dogs should always be required to sit at least
2 seconds before reinforcement. This practice will
later insure that a dog's alert is pinpointed and
observed by all members of a patrol.
g. Step 7. Gradually introduce other tripwire
materials, making them increasingly difficult to
locate by eye. Vary height, distance, and angle
from one lane to another.
■h. Step 8. Concurrently with step 7, the han-
dler will begin having his dog complete the search
chain with tripwires. He allows his dog to go to
the wire and sit. After 2 seconds, he recalls his
dog to the heel position before reinforcing.
i. Step 9. Move from the tripwire lanes to open
roads, trails, and fields. All wires are now attach-
ed to natural objects; begin with white string
and change to other materials. Most dogs will
quickly learn to recognize cues telling them trip
wires may be nearby. Since the strongest cue is
the "track" left by the emplacer as he strings
the wire, this track should initially be quite
obvious. Other cues include: the scent of the wire
or the device attached to it, the disturbances at
the ends of the wire, visual observance, or
even the sound of a taut wire vibrating in a strong
breeze.
j. Step 10. Introduce off-trail, multiple, low and
38
HORSESHOE
Figure SO, Tripwire variations.
high wires. Off-trail tripwires are emplaced 1 to
20 feet from the edge of the lane, up wind of and
parallel to the dog's line of march. Multiple
settings may be two, three, or more wires strung
in varying shapes (fig 30) and angles. Low wires
may be 1 to 2 inches above the ground. High
wires may be 4 to 5 feet above the ground.
§3. Misn@s
Scout dogs may be taught to detect buried mines
using the same procedure as pan orientation
coupled with substitution in the search chain,
initially, the mine will be placed on the ground.
The feed pan may be placed next to the mine
and later faded out, or the food may be placed
directly on the mine. Once the dogs are complet-
ing the search chain with mines, the mines can
be placed in shallow, open holes. Gradually begin
filling in the hole and continue until the mines
are completely covered and camouflaged.
In most cases, boobytraps are attached to trip-
wires and require no special training procedure.
It is preferred that the dog be taught to detect
and respond to the wire, not the boobytrap. A
dog that finds a wire and then searches for the
boobytrap may accidentally trip it, and some
older dogs will often deliberately set off the booby-
trap, hoping that they will be taken off the lane
and staked out, thereby getting a free break.
Where boobytraps are not attached to tripwires,
dogs can be taught to detect them in the same
manner as with mines.
SS>, Ceiielhes
Scout dogs may be taught to give either the na-
tural or sit response to caches. The natural re-
sponse is preferred, since the equipment will
probably have a large amount of recent human
scent on it, causing the dog to give a personnel
(natural) alert. The natural response also offers
the handler a means of differentiating these alerts
from those on casualty-producing devices.
In the intermediate and advanced stages of train-
ing, tripwires, mines, boobytraps, and caches
should be integrated into personnel lanes any-
where that it would be tactically logical to do so.
39
Figure SO — Continued,
42
CHAPTER 5
INTERMEDIATE SCOUTING
Section I. TRAINING CONSIDERATIONS
57. Scope
During intermediate scouting the handler and his
dog learn —
a. To increase and expand upon the skills
learned in basic scouting.
b. To work medium distance patrols of 500 to
1,000 meters.
c. To recognize and detect various types of
tripwires and boobytraps, all of which are part-
ially-to-well-concealed.
d. To detect personnel and equipment hidden
underground, above ground, and underwater.
e. To work at night. The handler learns to rec-
ognize and interpret his dog's actions and re-
sponses at night.
/. During intermediate scouting the handler
and dog begin to function as a team. The handler
will obtain almost complete control of his dog
by use of voice commands, hand and arm signals,
and the dog whistle. They will operate under
conditions more closely simulating combat.
58. Calling Alerts
Calling or interpreting his dog's alerts may well
be the handler's most important function as a
member of a scout dog team. Any member of a
patrol can probably give the dog commands, and
the dog may even work for him. This, however, is
not sufficient. It is the handler's ability to trans-
late his dog's actions into information that makes
these actions valuable. To do this, the handler
must perform a sometimes complex mental opera-
tion. The process may work as follows:
a. The handler recognizes that his dog has
alerted.
6. The handler recognizes the type of alert.
c. The handler observes and analyzes the wind,
weather, and terrain factors bearing on his dog's
alert.
d. The handler considers those elements of
available intelligence and information which may
bear on his dog's alert.
c. The handler combines the above into a clear,
concise statement that a patrol leader or unit
commander can use immediately. An example of
such a statement might be: "Sir, my dog has
given a strong personnel alert between 1 and 3
o'clock. The distance is 200 to 250 meters. I
suspect eight to ten dismounted enemy person-
nel." Another example would be: "My dog is
alerting between 11 and 1 o'clock, at about 15
meters. Is uspect a tripwire across the trail."
59. The Clock System
Scout dog handlers use the clock system to es-
timate the direction of their dog p s alerts. In
doing so, the handler imagines himself standing
at the center of a standard clock face, with his
direction of march representing the noon or 12
o'clock position (fig. 31). When his dog alerts, he
observes the direction of alert and goes through
the mental process described in paragraph 58.
When the handler is sure he has determined the
correct direction, he selects the appropriate half-
hour mark and "calls" the hour positions to
either side (fig 32). For example, if the handler
decides that his dog is alerting at 1: 30 on the
clock, he will call his alert as being between 1 and
3 o'clock. This process is done mentally and verb-
ally: THE HANDLER NEVER POINTS IN THE
DIRECTION OF AN ALERT!
60. Range istimsstsoFa
In order to estimate the distance to the object
of his dog's alert, the handler combines standard
range estimating techniques with —
43
Figure SI. The clock method.
Figure $2. Calling alert by the clock method.
a. The strength of the prevailing winds. c. The strength of his dog's alert.
b. His knowledge of the effects of visible ter- d. His knowledge of how his dog reacts to
rain on the wind. different targets.
Section II. EFFECTS OF WIND AND TERRAIN
61. Effects of Wind scout dog team is diminished. Whenever possible,
a. Wind is the most important consideration a s ? ut do S team be employed to take ad-
in the proper employment of a scout dog. The vantage of the wmd.
wind carries scents and sounds to the dog. Denied b. Wind produces what is known as a scent
the advantage of the wind, the effectiveness of a cone (fig 33), Due to the difference in wind velo-
44
city, strong wind will produce a scent cone that
is narrow in width compared to a moderate,
steady wind that produces a wider scent cone.
A light wind, such as a breeze, due to its lack
of force, will cause the scent to drift weakly.
Strong, gusty winds, on the other hand, will create
ever changing scent patterns depending on the
wind's velocity at that particular moment. To
quickly and correctly report information provided
by a scout dog, the handler must be constantly
aware of the direction of the wind.
62. Kffeete ®f Terrain
a. Terrain.
(1) Terrain is a determining factor in the
direction and force of the wind and a necessary
consideration during the employment of scout
dogs in order to properly locate the object of
the dog's alert.
(2) The only wind that blows steadily is
that which comes over a flat and even surface
(fig 34), With this condition, alerts of 300 to
s
400 meters are common, and alerts up to 1,000
meters are possible.
(3) Wind hitting a hilltop or the crest of a
hill tends to break into two or three smaller
streams of air current (fig 35).
(4) Scents borne by the wind off a mesa
may be scattered, blown aloft, or die before they
come into contact with ground level (fig 86).
A dog may pick up a scent far from a mesa
only to lose it upon coming closer to the mesa
because the scent is being blown over the dog's
head.
(5) Wind blowing from open terrain and up
and over a hill, pass, cut, or mesa may carry
a scent from the base or from some distant place.
The dog may show some confusion when arriving
at the edge of such a terrain feature (fig 37).
(6) Dense jungles will restrict the travel of
scent considerably, causing it to drift aimlessly
due to the general lack of air circulation in such
areas. An alert range of 15 to 30 meters is con-
sidered good under such conditions.
45
Figure Si. Effect of wind on open terrain.
b. Deflected Scent. Certain terrain situations
will deflect the scent cone from a target, causing
the need for careful judgment by the handler in
calling alerts. Here, his knowledge of wind and
terrain factors may be of critical importance.
In figure 38, for example, the scout dog is alert-
ing at 3 o'clock, but the handler should call his
alert as "above the ground between 8 and 9
o'clock."
46
47
48
Figure 37. Effect of wind blowing toward mesa.
49
Figure 38. Deflected seent.
Section 111. DETECTION OF PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT
UNDERGROUND, ABOVE GROUND AND UNDERWATER
63. Underground
a. Phase I. The same procedure is followed as
in the detection of decoys above ground.
(1) Dig a foxhole in open terrain and place
a decoy in the position.
(2) After the decoy is in position begin
the problem from downwind; as soon as the dog
alerts urge the dog to seek out the decoy.
(3) Action taken after the dog has found the
decoy:
{a) Weak dogs-
1. Sit dog; handler praises dog within
sight of foxhole (about 15 feet).
2. Order decoy to come out of foxhole
slowly and suspiciously.
S. After decoy emerges from the hole,
chase the decoy about 10 to 15 meters, then cut
back in the direction previously indicated by the
instructor. At this time the command OUT is
given, and the problem is continued.
(6) Strong dogs.
1. When the dog has alerted the handler
it is allowed to go in toward the decoy (s) .
2. Every 5 to 10 meters it is command-
ed to sit, be quiet, and then proceed with the
"patrol.
3. After a number of repetitions the dog
should get the idea and slow down.
b. Phase II.
(1) As soon as the scout dogs have pro-
gressed, the decoys are placed in foxholes and
carefully camouflaged.
(2) The alerts indicated by the dogs are
not as strong due to the reduced amount of scent
that escapes from air vents.
(3) By this time the dogs should associate
the source as coming from underground.
(4) Some dogs will approach suspiciously,
while others may stick their noses in the air vents
to sample the scent, then they may dig and growl
(fig 39).
(5) Some dogs may expect to see a decoy
50
at the strongest source of the scent and become
confused when they do not, while some may run
in circles, smelling the ground.
(6) It is at this time that the handler should
be alert, observe his dog, and be able to read
the dog.
64. Above Ground
Detection of personnel or equipment above ground
presents some problems due to deadspace. De-
pending on height, wind strength and direction,
and nearby terrain features, the scent cone may
reach the ground some distance from the target,
or even not at all. Other than sight or sound,
there are two means whereby a scout dog can in-
dicate an alert on an above ground target :
a. If a dog enters the scent cone, it will often
raise its head to sample the air, or it may even
start sniffing close to the ground and work its
nose upward in the direction of the target.
6. If a dog is in the deadspace, it may be close
enough to the base of the elevating object to de-
tect the scent left where the person (s) climbed
the object.
65. Underwater, Ri verba nks
Personnel and equipment will sometimes be found
in cavities or hollows along riverbanks. Fleeing
or escaping personnel may also try to avoid
detection by hiding underwater, breathing
through a hollow straw or reed.
a. Training for Detection Along Riverbanks.
Dig a tunnel below the water level of a stream
or riverbank and into an underground hideout.
Air vents should be dug at an angle (fig 40).
The scout dog should be able to detect the scent
coming either from the air vent or from the
water. .When a handler is certain his dog has
alerted, he investigates the area and the decoy
is told to emerge from the water. This will as-
tonish most dogs at first, but they should soon be
eagerly searching for air vents.
Figure 39. Detection of enemy personnel underground.
51
b.' Underwater. Detection of personnel under-
water breathing through straws, reeds, or bam-
boo (fig 41) is not difficult provided the handler
can read his dog successfully. Some dogs, upon
alerting on live breath scent or dead scent, will
become confused when they reach the water's
edge. Others will enter the water and start
downstream, following the current-borne scent,
and lose it. They may then turn back upstream
or swim in circles. Occasionally a scout dog, upon
detecting this scent, will stick its head in the
water, thinking to see the decoy.
66. Advanced Tripwire/Boobytrap Procedure
During intermediate scouting, instructors should
begin teaching that, after finding a tripwire or
boobytrap, the handler should always let his dog
lead him around it Since another boobytrap
may be nearby, this gives the dog a chance to
alert.
Figure UO. Detection of personnel under riverbank or canal bank.
52
Figure Detection of personnel underwater breathing through reed.
Section IV. NIGHT TRAINING
67. Smpe
Scout dog teams normally receive three nights
of training early in intermediate scouting.
a. The scout dog learns that it must work at
night as well as in the daytime.
b. The handler learns how his dog reacts and
works at night.
c. The team learns the procedures for em-
ployment on outposts, listening posts, and am-
bush patrols.
Si, General
There are a number of advantages and disad-
vantages to working scout dogs at night.
a. Advantages.
(1) During hot weather, dogs will work bet-
ter and longer at night, due to the cooler temper-
atures.
(2) The dog's senses of smell and hearing
are heightened at night.
(3) Scout dogs can usually alert at greater
distances at night, especially on sound.
6. Disadvantages.
(1) Since the handler may not be able to
see his dog's alerts or control it at any distance,
he must work his dog on the 5-foot leash. This
will reduce the warning distance during move-
ment.
(2) Even on leash, the handler may miss a
53
personnel alert if he isn't observing his dog care-
fully.
(3) Some dogs become frisky at night, mak-
ing undue noise, or may tangle their leashes in
brush.
69. Procedure
a. Noise Discipline. Some handlers will discover
that their dogs will growl or bark at night. They
must learn to quickly stop any noise by their
dogs.
b. Each team should be placed in a concealed
location, simulating a listening or observation
post, along with an instructor. Initially, the de-
coy should approach from some distance upwind,
without taking undue care about making noise.
This gives the handler the chance to observe both
sound and scent alerts. The team should also be
exposed to other sounds at varying distances:
the click of a rifle bolt, a twig breaking, the clank
of untaped combat gear, and other typical sounds.
c. Later, the decoy (s*) should approach from
various directions and distances, exercising noise
discipline.
<£. During all phases of night training, the
handler must be reminded that, besides watching
for his dog's alert, he must be quick to stop any
attempted noise by the dog.
54
CHAPTER 6
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
Section I.
7©„ Purpose
Specialized training is conducted following the
completion of intermediate scouting. Its purpose
is to give the scout dog team training in over-
coming natural obstacles, entering or leaving
areas of difficult access, and search techniques in
built-up areas.
GENERAL
71 . Scope
Specialized training is normally conducted in
three concurrent phases:
a. River crossing.
b. Rappelling.
c. Search of built-up area.
Section II. RIVER CROSSING
72. Expedient Methods
There are several expedient methods for crossing
rivers or streams.
a. Fording. If a wide, shallow (less than 5 feet
deep) stream is encountered, a secluded shallow
spot for fording should be selected. The dog team
should cross first, leading the security or recon-
naissance elements. The handler or his bodyguard
may probe stream depth with a fathoming stick.
If the water is swift-flowing, a safety rope should
be secured on both banks, when possible, to pre-
vent men from falling and being carried down-
stream.
b. The One-Rope Bridge. A rope is strung
across the stream and pulled as tightly as pos-
sible. The dog handler slings his rifle over his back
and enters the water with both hands on the rope
and the leash tied securely to his leading hand.
The scout dog is made to swim in front of the
handler. As the handler makes his way across by
the rope he always faces upstream in order to de-
tect and avoid floating debris. In this and the
other methods, handlers should not try to use their
dogs as flotation devices, as some dogs will be-
come frightened and try to escape or even bite.
Handlers should also discourage their dogs from
trying to climb on them while swimming.
c. The Australian Poncho Raft. This raft is
constructed by using the equipment of two in-
dividuals as follows (fig 42) :
(1) One poncho is placed on the ground
with the hood facing up and tied off at the neck.
(2) The laces are removed from the boots.
The boots and clothing to be kept dry are placed
in the center of the poncho.
(3) Packs and helmets are placed on each
side of the clothing; web gear is placed on top
of the clothing.
(4) The rifles are placed on each side of the
clothing and equipment with the muzzles point-
ing in the opposite directions, operating rod
handles facing toward the center, and front and
rear sights padded with socks.
(5) The sides of the poncho are folded over
the equipment and snapped together.
(6) Starting at the snapped seam, the
poncho is rolled as tightly as possible down to
the equipment.
(7) The ends of the poncho are twisted
into tight pigtails and are tied together over the
rolled seam with one boot lace.
(8) The second poncho is laid out as the
first one was. If more bouyancy is desired, brush
may be placed between the ponchos.
(9) The poncho bundle is placed, pigtails
down, on the second poncho.
(10) The sides of the second poncho are
folded over the equipment bundle, snapped to-
gether, rolled, and tied off as before with an-
other boot lace.
55
STICKS USED IN LIEU OF RIFLE
ACCORDING TO TACTICAL SITUATION
CLOTHING, BOOTS
BELT, ETC.
MUZZLE AND REARSKji
PADDED WITH SOCKS
PACK, HELMET ON TOP
TIED OFF HOOD
KEPT INSIDE PACKAGE
PONCHO HOOD PULLED
TAUT, BENT DOUBLE,
TWISTED INTO GOOSENECK
AND TIED OFF
BOOTLACES # 3 & # 4
IF ONE PONCHO HAS HOLES
USE FOR INNER PACKAGE
ONE PONCHO FORMS
INNER PACKAGE
SECOND PONCHO IS WRAPPED
AROUND INNER PACKAGE AND
SECURED WITH (3) BOOTLACES
DIMENSIONS
42" x 15" x 10"
Figwre US. Australian poncho raft.
(11) The other two boot laces are tied around
the ends of the raft to further secure the ponchos.
d. Other River Crossing Expedients.
(1) Ammunition cans may be tied to the
ends of a pistol belt and used as water wings.
(2) Five empty canteens tied to each end
of a pistol belt and used for support.
(3) Air mattresses may be inflated and used.
(4) Waterproof bags, with equipment and
clothing placed inside, can be tied off securely
and used to support a person.
(5) An empty water can will float an indi-
vidual and his equipment.
(6) A pair of fatigue trousers tied off at
each of the ankles can be inflated and used as
water wings.
73. Crossing Thickly Vegetated and Swampy
Areas
Conditioning the mind and body to accept dense
vegetation and mucky underfooting is the key to
crossing this kind of obstacle effectively. On-the-
job training is the only way to gain this kind of
56
conditioning. Handling a dog while wading
through a swamp can be a difficult ordeal. Fre-
Section III.
74. Rappelling
a. Team Rappelling. The teams can descend
upon obstacles quickly by means of a rappel,
sliding down a sling rope which has been doubled
around rappel points (trees, projecting rocks).
b. Establishing a Rappel.
(1) In selecting the route, be sure the rope
reaches the bottom or a place from which fur-
ther rappel can be accomplished.
(2) The rappel point should be tested care-
fully and inspected to see that the rope will run
around it when one end is pulled from below,
and that the area is clear of loose rocks or debris.
(3) If a sling rope is to be used for a rap-
pel it should be tied twice to form two separate
loops.
(4) The first man should —
(a) Choose a smooth route for the rope,
free of sharp rocks.
(b) Place loose rocks, which the rope
might later dislodge, out of the way.
(c) See that the rope will run freely
around the rappel points when pulled from below.
(5) Each man down will give the signal
Off Rappel, straighten the ropes, and see that
they will run freely around its anchors. When
silence is needed a prearranged signal of pulling
on a rope is substituted for the oral signal.
(6) When the last man is down, the rope is
recovered; it should be pulled smoothly, to pre-
vent the rising end from whipping around the
rope. Personnel should stand clear of the falling
rope, and rocks that may be dislodged by it.
(7) Eopes should be inspected frequently if
a large group of personnel is rappelling.
(8} To protect the palms of the hands from
severe rope burns, gloves should be worn for all
rappelling.
c. The Seat Rappel.
(1) This method differs from others in that
the main friction is absorbed by a snap link
which is inserted in a sling rope seat fastened
to the rappeller. This provides a faster and less
frictional descent than other methods (1, fig 43).
(2) To attach the seat, the sling rope is
placed across the climber's back so that the mid-
quent marches through dense vegetation and
swamps do much to condition handlers and dogs.
RAPPELLING
point (center) of its length is on the hip opposite
to the hand that will be used for braking. An
overhand knot is tied in front of the body. The
ends of the rope are brought between the legs
(front to rear), around the legs and over the
hips, and tied with a square knot and two half
hitches on the side opposite the braking hand
(2, 3, fig 43). The snap link is placed through
the single rope around the waist and through the
overhand knot. The snap link is inserted with the
gate down and the opening toward the body. The
snap link is then rotated one-half turn so that
the gate is up and opens away from the body.
d. The Seat Hip Method.
(1) The rappeller stands to one side of the
rope (when braking with the right hand on the
left side, and when braking with the left hand on
the right side) and snaps the rope into the snap
link. Slack between the snap link and the an-
chor point is taken up and brought underneath,
around and over the snap link, and snapped
into it again. This results in a turn of rope
around the solid shaft of the snap link which
does not cross itself when, under tension (fig 44).
(2) When a single rope is used, two wraps
around the snap link are made to increase fric-
tion. Facing sideways, the climber descends us-
ing his upper hand as a guide and the lower
hand to brake. The rope is grasped by the braking
hand with the thumb pointing down and to-
wards the body. The braking hand is held be-
hind and slightly above the hip.
(3) Braking action is obtained by closing
the hand and pressing the rope against the
body. The rappeller should lean well out, at an
angle from the point where the rope is secured,
and make a smooth and even descent. This
method is the least frictional and fastest. How-
ever, special care must be taken that the rope
is snapped correctly into the snap link to avoid
the possibility of the gate being opened by the
rope. Loose clothing or equipment around the
waist is apt to be pulled into the snap link,
locking the rappel. For these reasons the rap-
peller must be checked carefully before each de-
scent. For other methods of rappelling see FM
31-72, and FM 21-50.
57
ATTACHING THE SEAT
Figure AS, Attaching
75. Rappelling the Scout Dog Team
The flexibility of the scout dog team to operate
in mountains, jungles, or other inaccessible ter-
rain, makes it essential that a team be able to
rappel. After the handlers learn to rappel, it is
necessary to accustom the dogs to various
heights. By the use of pulleys, the dogs can at
first be lifted by the use of a scout dog rappel-
ling sling or an expedient sling.
a. The Scout Dog Rappelling Sling. This type
rappelling sling (fig 45) can be easily fabricated
from durable nylon material (tubular nylon re-
inforced with nylon thread). A large, medium,
or small size sling is made to fit the dog, and is
more comfortable than other methods.
(1) First the dog is muzzled; then it steps
into the sling with the front loops passing over
the head.
(2) The side and back loops are brought
together over the dog's back and all snapped into
the snap link.
<3) The rappelling rope is then run through
the snap link with one turn around the solid
seat prior to rappel.
shaft if double ropes are used, or two turns if
a single rope is used.
(4) The handler rappels first, then one
member of the patrol hooks up the rappelling
sling or expedient poncho sling to the rappelling
rope preparatory to lowering the dog.
(5) The handler on the ground can slow the
descent of his dog by merely pulling on the rope
to apply friction.
(6) The handler receives his dog and ap-
plies the proper praise.
(7) Most dogs, after a few rappels, learn
to accept this training.
6. Expedient Rappelling Sling Using Harness
and 5-Foot Leash. This technique is a fast,
simple expedient method that requires no spe-
cial equipment and may be used under nearly
all conditions.
(1) Procedure. The first step is to insure
that the leather harness is securely fastened.
(a) Make a loop by running the free end
of the leash through the hand loop. Place this
loop over the narrowest part of the dog's body,
58
between the rib cage and the pelvis. Make the
loop snug with the hand loop portion at the spine
and the free end running forward (1, fig 46),
(b) Run the free end along the left side
of the spine, under the rear body strap, over the
dorsal or upper strap, and back under the rear
body strap on the right side. Fit snugly (2, fig
46).
(c) Run the free end back along the
spine and under the loop (3, fig 46).
{d) Repeat procedure (c) if leash is long
enough.
(e) Attach the leash snap to the D-ring
on the harness. If necessary, wrap any excess
leash around the upper strap until there is just
enough left to snap (4, fig 46).
(/) Test the sling by grasping the
"handle," formed by the three lengths of leash,
and lifting the dog. The dog should balance and
feel no discomfort (fig 47).
(g) Attach a snap link to the "handle."
It is preferrable to attach a second snap link to
the first, to allow free play of the rappelling rope
(fig 48).
(h) The dog may now be rappelled from
or to a helicopter.
(2) Alternate expedient method.
(a) An alternate method of rappelling a
dog from or to a helicopter is with the use of a
duffel bag or mail bag.
(6.) Procedure. Back the dog into the
bag. Secure the opening. Attach rope or cable.
Lower or extract dog.
59
SCOUT DOG IN RAPPEULING SLING
Figure 4$. Scout dog rappelling sling.
60
Step 1
Figure is. Expedient rappelling sling.
Step 2
Figure W — Continued.
Step 3
Figure 46 — Continued.
63
Step 4
Figure 46 — Continued.
Figure U7. Teat sling by lifting dog.
65
Figure 4-8. Attaching snap link to harness.
Section IV. SEARCH
76. General
Searching villages or other built-up areas, with
certain exceptions, is little different than other
operations. The exceptions are:
a. Boobytraps may be found in greater con-
centration and in unusual locations.
b. Inhabitants may distract the dogs.
c. Farm or draft animals provide distractions.
d. There is a greater than normal concentra-
tion of conflicting scents.
77. Rules
In order to overcome the above problems and
66
OF BUILT-UP AREAS
facilitate the search, handlers are taught three
rules which should be followed whenever it is
tactically feasible:
a. All inhabitants should be removed from the
immediate area while the search is being con-
ducted.
b. All animals should either be removed or
penned.
c. The scout dog team(s) should be assigned a
definite search area and pattern.
76. Procedure
It is simplest to use a series of abandoned or un-
occupied buildings in a garrison area. Where
such buildings are unavilable, a village can be
constructed from available materials, making
three or four rudimentary buildings and adding
simple artifacts such as fences, gates, pens, hay-
stacks, and the like.
79. Animals
When it is anticipated the scout dogs will be
employed in areas containing large numbers of
domesticated animals (horses, cows, pigs, goats,
chickens) it is desirable to accustom the dogs to
such animals during training. The scout dogs
may otherwise become distracted or frightened
by such animals. Where feasible, a selection of
such animals can be procured. Initially, they
should be kept in pens adjacent to the kennels,
so that the dogs become accustomed to their
sounds and smells. During built-up area search
training, the animals can be penned in the built-
up area to add realism to the training.
80. Villages
At the beginning of this training, one or two de-
coys and a small number of boobytraps and
caches should be concealed in the village so that
they are fairly easy to detect. As the teams pro-
gress, the number and degree of difficulty of tar-
gets increases. The handler is taught to establish
a definite search pattern before entering the vil-
lage (fig 49). The dog should be worked closely
(5 to 10 meters) in front of its handler, or even
on-leash where necessary.
a. Perimeter Search. The handler is taught
that, if the village is small enough, he works his
dog once around the perimeter, allowing it to get
the "feel" of the area and a chance to give early
warning of any hostile presence within.
b. Building Search. Once the perimeter search
is complete, the scout dog team begins its search
pattern. The team should try to approach each
building from downwind. Each building should
be completely circled before entering. If the build-
ing is to be entered, the scout dog is given the
opportunity to check the entrance carefully for
boobytraps.
81. Other Built-Up Areas
The procedures for searching built-up areas
other than villages is basically the same as
above. Here, the team will be required to search a
definite section, such as a few buildings. It is
desirable to have at least one two-story building
so that the scout dog can gain experience in
searching and climbing stairways.
67
CHAPTER 7
ADVANCED SCOUTING
SSL ie@pi®
During this final phase of instruction, the scout
dog teams are no longer being trained, but will
apply what they have learned under simulated
combat conditions.
a. Most problems will be long range patrols
(1,000 to 3,000 meters).
b. Patrols will be over difficult and varied ter-
rain to include swamps, hills, ravines, streams,
and dense forest or jungle.
c. All problems will contain decoys hidden at,
above, or below ground level, fully concealed
mines, booby traps, caches, and multiple tripwire
settings,
d. Some problems should include situations re-
quiring application of river crossing, rappelling,
and village search techniques.
e. Advanced night training should consist of
night reconnaissance patrols, ambushes, and out-
posts/listening posts.
/. Problems should include the use of gunfire,
artillery and grenade simulators, boobytraps sim-
ulators, and other battlefield effects.
S3. Fr^smpteymejat Training
When scout dog teams are to be deployed to a
combat zone, advanced scouting should, where
possible, be conducted over terrain and under
conditions closely resembling the area of opera-
tions.
Students should act as instructors for each
other, under the supervision of qualified instruc-
tors. Prior to the start of each problem, the stu-
dent should receive the patrol leader's (in-
structor's) briefing, then give his patrol briefing
(app B). Instructor advice should be kept to a
minimum during the patrol. The handler should
conduct the patrol as he would in combat, giving
advice about his dog's alerts and, where appro-
priate, suggesting courses of action.
85, Integrated Support Training
During advanced scouting much mutual benefit
can be gained by having the student scout dog
teams support the problems of various leader
courses. Problems which ean be supported in-
clude ranger problems, escape and evasion exer-
cises, field training exercises, and squad, pla-
toon, or company tactical patrols. Such inte-
grated training both allows the handler (s) to
gain experience in supporting infantry unit op-
erations and gives the leader student (s) exper-
ience in the proper employment of a scout dog
team.
86. Summary
Prior to the final field performance examina-
tion, operational readiness training test (ORTT),
or Army Training Test (ATT), scout dog teams
should be able to accomplish the following:
a. Handlers should be able to give a clear, con-
cise patrol briefing.
b. Handlers should be able to effectively em-
ploy their dogs over all types of terrain, to in-
clude river crossing and rappelling operations.
c. Scout dogs should give a natural alert on at
least 90 percent of personnel and caches hidden
on, above, or below ground level.
d. Scout dogs should give a sit alert (within
2 to 3 feet) on at least 80 percent of all types of
tripwires and boobytraps, remaining in position
until recalled by their handlers.
e. Scout dogs should work well in front of their
handlers (10 to 100 meters, depending on ter-
rain), remaining under strict control, and should
be able to safely guide their handlers around
tripwires or boobytraps.
/, Handlers should be able to read their dog's
alerts to the extent that they can determine the
69
target's approximate distance and direction g. Handlers should be able to effectively em-
within 1 hour by the clock system, and to state ploy their dogs on night reconnaissance, ambush
the type of alert. patrols, and outposts/listening posts.
70
CHAPTER 8
EMPLOYMENT
Section I. GENERAL
87. Organization
Scout dog teams may be organized into squads
or sections of —
a. Infantry platoons (scout dog),
6. Composite tactical dog platoons.
c. Composite tactical dog companies.
88. Restatement of Mission
The scout dog team's mission is to support in-
fantry and combat support type units in tactical
operations against hostile forces by detecting and
giving silent, early warning of any foreign pres-
ence outside the main body of the patrol or other
group with which the team is working, i.e., to
reconnoiter for and report enemy presence. Spe-
cific tasks dog teams are capable of performing
include:
a. Pinpointing friendly occupied positions
through or near which a patrol departs or re-
enters friendly areas.
6. Assisting a patrol infiltrating an enemy
area by locating outpost positions.
c. Providing, during movement, early detec-
tion of friendly or enemy forces, natives, or in-
habited areas the patrol desires to avoid.
d. Detecting ambush sites, close-in snipers,
mines, boobytraps, and similar dangers, includ-
ing tripwires.
e. Providing, by placement at the rear, detec-
tion of forces seeking to follow the patrol.
/. Providing early warning of enemy (or un-
identified personnel) approaching patrol ambush
sites, base perimeters, outposts and listening
posts.
g. Assisting in cordon operations.
h. Pinpointing objectives.
i Locating or determining the extent of
enemy positions or installations; e.g., camps,
bases, bivouac areas.
j. Assisting in searching objectives and ob-
jective areas, camps, and villages for concealed
individuals or groups, and caches of weapons,
ammunition, equipment, or food (including de-
tection of concealed tunnel or cave entrances,
and holes dug in caves or riverbanks) .
k. When a patrol is moving by boat, the scout
dog team screens to the front, around bends in
streams, and to the flanks and rear, performing
in effect, any task the team can perform on land.
89. Capabilities and Limitations
a. A scout dog team's detection and warning
capabilities are the combined results of —
(1) The dog's superior faculties:
(a) Smell — 40 times greater than human
perception (estimated).
(6) Sound — 20 times greater than human
perception (estimated).
(c) Sight (moving objects) — 10 times
greater than human perception (estimated).
(2) The handler's skill in working and
"reading" his dog.
b. A well-trained, physically fit, properly em-
ployed scout dog team usually can detect current
or recent foreign presence outside the main body
of a patrol before other patrol members ; e.g., de-
tect the current human presence of an ambush
ahead of a patrol before any actions of the am-
bush reveal it to the patrol members ; through de-
tection of recent human presence warn of booby-
traps dangerous to a patrol well ahead of detec-
tion by patrol members.
c. Besides human presence; a scout dog team
can usually detect:
(1) Caches — A scout dog regards the scents
of food, weapons, or equipment as foreign and
alerts on any of these scents.
(2) Tripwires — A scout dog alerts on seeing
or hearing a tripwire (even though the human
scent of the installer has dissipated, the vibra-
tions of a wire often produce sounds that are
audible to a dog).
71
(3) Mine, boobytraps — A scout dog may rec-
ognize the distinctive scents of the explosives
or other components of the devices (e.g., in the
case of mines, freshly turned earth) and alerts
on these scents, even in the absence of human
scent.
d. A scout dog team realizes its fullest poten-
tial when wind conditions permit the dog to work
on airborne scent.
e. A scout dog's detection capabilities are re-
duced when there is little or no wind, when the
wind is from the flanks or rear, in areas of much
noise or movement, and by unfavorable weather
or terrain conditions ; e.g., rain, smoke, fog, dust,
dense undergrowth, heavy woods, or jungle. Un-
der unfavorable wind conditions the scout dog
is still effective in detecting by sound and sight.
/. A scout dog requires water more frequently
and in greater amounts than a man.
g. Except for water requirements, a scout dog's
need for rest and food, and its reactions to cli-
mate extremes, compare to those of a man; i.e.,
its effectiveness declines as it becomes fatigued,
hungry, thirsty, overheated, or very cold.
h. Fatigue suffered by the dog, and physical
fatigue and mental stress bearing on the handler,
limit maximum effective performance by a scout
dog team. (Reserve scout dog support, to permit
periodic rotation of working teams, is desirable
for patrols where the requirements for continu-
ous support exceeds the expected performance
limits.)
i. Proper use of a scout dog team may reduce
the speed at which a patrol could otherwise move.
For example, unless a patrol is moving directly
into the wind, with favorable weather and terrain
conditions, a scout dog team, to work effectively,
usually must move left and right of the patrol's
line of march, with forward speed reduced in
proportion to the amount of left and right move-
ment required.
j. Occasionally a scout dog simply is a slow
worker, even in favorable circumstances, and may
unduly reduce a patrol's speed of movement.
k. All alerts must be interpreted by the hand-
ler and any of them may require checking by
the patrol (an action that may be very time con-
suming) because a scout dog cannot normally
distinguish between friend, enemy, and neutral,
and therefore alerts on any current or recent
human scent it detects. For example, a dog reacts
to an enemy squad lying in ambush ahead of a
patrol in the same manner as it would to a non-
combatant civilian hiding nearby.
I. The necessity for a handler to concentrate
his attention on his dog's actions prevents him
from protecting himself and his dog. When pre-
ceding a patrol (the team's usual position), a
dog team is highly vulnerable to enemy fire. There-
fore, at least one patrol member must be as-
signed to protect each working scout dog team
during operations.
90. Planning and Preparation for Use of Scout
Dog Teams
a. When an infantry tactieal dog unit is at-
tached to a tactical unit, normally brigade size
or larger, the unit commander advises and makes
recommendations to the commander of that unit
concerning the employment of his scout dog teams.
When scout dog teams are employed with units
that have not previously used them, personnel of
these units will be briefed on the team's capa-
bilities and limitations. This is absolutely neces-
sary to the team's success in combat since unit
commanders may not be familiar with the proper
methods of employing scout dogs.
b. Prior to assignment to any operation the
infantry tactical dog unit commander or his rep-
resentative is carefully briefed on planned mis-
sions as far in advance as possible. This allows
him to select teams that have worked with the
supported unit before and/or those teams which
will be most effective for a particular mission.
It also allows the handlers time to prepare them-
selves and their dogs; for example, checking the
dogs out for any physical handicaps that might
limit their effectiveness on the operation, exer-
cising their dogs to relieve excess energy from
being kenneled, and running their dogs on short
training patrols to stimulate their interest and
to verify their proficiency.
c. The supported commander should especial-
ly seek to obtain scout dog support for his pa-
trols when —
(1) Darkness severely restricts vision and
otherwise limits human detection abilities.
(2) Weather or terrain conditions restrict
visibility during daylight.
d. On reaching the decision that scout dog
support is both desirable and practicable, the
supported commander will —
(1) Determine the number of teams needed,
including reserve support if periodic rotation is
required.
72
(2) Seek to obtain a team(s) that has pre-
viously worked with his unit and arrange for the
team(s) to join the patrol in time to hear the
warning order.
(3) Obtain the handler's recommendations
for the most effective employment of the team;
for example, best working position, and selection
of a route which, consistent with other factors,
allows the team to operate most effectively.
(4) Include his detailed plan for the team's
employment in the patrol order.
(5) Insure that supported personnel know
that scout dog support is a supplement to patrol
security and an aid when searching for concealed
personnel or equipment, not a substitute for the
patrol's own security measures.
(6) Insure that supported personnel know
and, in their association with scout dog teams,
strictly observe these precautions:
(a) They must not —
1. Feed a scout dog. Feeding by the
handler only is a part of a dog's training.
2. Play with or pet a scout dog, except
for familiarization — and then only under the
handler's direct supervision. A handler's petting
of and playing with his dog is also a part of
the dog's training.
3. Make any move or gesture which a
scout dog may interpret as a threat to its handler.
Although not specifically trained to defend their
handlers, most scout dogs develop a protective
attitude toward them.
(b) When taking cover, patrol members
must never jump on top of or too near a scout
dog or its handler because the dog may react
defensively.
Section II. TYPES
91. Employment of Scout Dog Teams During
Movement
a. Generally, the best position for the scout
dog team is directly in front of the patrol. The
team precedes the patrol or screening element,
keeping on the assigned direction of movement.
Wind conditions may dictate that the team move
on the windward side of the route of advance to
take maximum advantage of the dog's senses of
smell and hearing.
b. It may become necessary at times to place
the team in the rear of the patrol if the wind is
blowing from the rear, or when speed is neces-
sary (as in the approach march), since it is best
to conserve the dog's energy whenever possible;
(7) Integrate the team fully into the tactical
unit to include participation in inspections and
rehearsals in order to —
(a) Thoroughly familiarize the handler
with the entire plan of operation.
(6) Help familiarize the dog with the
scents of individual patrol members and with
the sounds and motions of the patrol.
(c) Help familiarize unit members with
the team's methods of operation.
{d) Insure that the team is properly pre-
pared ; for example, the handler camouflages him-
self and his equipment and tapes or wraps metal
parts of the dogs working harness to eliminate
unnecessary noise.
{e) Insure proper support for the team;
for example, designation, if required, of unit
members to carry extra water and/or food for
the dog and assignment of one or more patrol
members to provide the team security while it is
working.
e. Before an operation the scout dog handler
will —
(1) Brief the tactical unit on the team's
capabilities and limitations, the temperament of
the dog, and any items of special interest pertain-
ing to the team.
(2) Explain and demonstrate the team's
various methods of operation (as pertinent to the
tasks to be performed).
(3) Scent-familiarize the dog with each unit
member.
(4) Allow men who have not previously
worked with scout dogs, particularly those who
are apprehensive, to touch and stroke the dog
to show them they need not fear it.
OF EMPLOYMENT
this is particularly applicable whenever scout
dogs are employed as part of a screening foree
for a larger body of troops moving to an assembly
area.
c. On a reconnaissance or combat patrol, where
infiltration of hostile lines is desired, the scout dog
can be extremely useful in alerting friendly
forces to locations of enemy outposts. In these
instances the team, when alerting on one outpost,
can move to its right or left to find the location
of the other, thus enabling the patrol to slip be-
tween them.
d. On all patrol actions one member of the
patrol should be assigned the mission of protect-
ing the handler and dog.
73
e. The distance at which the dog may alert
depends on the weather and terrain. It may be
300 meters or it may be 30 meters. Once the
dog alerts, the handler should signal the patrol
to halt (usually by getting down), and he waits
for the patrol leader to move up (on the side
opposite the dog) to receive information of the
enemy. If contact is to be made, the handler,
instead of moving at the patrol's rear, should
simply remain in place to allow the patrol to pass
through his position then he falls in at the rear.
This procedure eliminates unnecessary movement
and risk to the scout dog team. In the event that
a firefight develops, and the team is at the point
position, it should remain in place. When pos-
sible it should move to the center of the patrol
or to a position which would least interfere with
the patrol's fire.
/. The most ideal conditions for working a
scout dog are found in those areas sparsely in-
habited with few distractions. It must be remem-
bered that a scout dog is unable to distinguish
between friend or foe and may alert on friendly
personnel in the field. Therefore, it is vital that
the handler and patrol leader know when and
where other friendly units may be employed at
any particular time.
92. Employment of Scout Dog Teams on
Outpost and Ambush Patrols
a. When employed in support of an outpost
or listening post, scout dogs should be placed
far enough in advance of these posts to reduce
distractions to the dog. However, the team(s)
should be close enough so that friendly contact
can be maintained at all times and the team's
position is not placed in jeopardy in case of an
enemy attack or infiltration.
6. If, while manning an outpost, the dog gives
silent warning of hostile presence, the team
should immediately withdraw to the rear of the
post so that it does not mask the fire of friendly
forces. The handler should always have a pre-
arranged route of withdrawal before going on
outpost.
c. There are several methods by which a scout
dog handler can alert the outpost commander of
enemy approach. The handler will normally em-
ploy the method prescribed by the supported unit
SOP. One simple, often used, method involves
running a strong length of string between two
points. Individuals on either end may alert the
other by having a prearranged signal of one,
two, or three jerks to indicate "be on the alert"
or "enemy in sight."
d. The procedures for withdrawal and station-
ing of scout dog teams on an ambush patrol are
the same as for outposts, except where the sector
is too wide for one team to screen effectively
then two or more teams may be employed.
93. Employment of Scout Dog Teams With
Mechanized Units
Pending the final development of electronic re-
mote control equipment and doctrine for its em-
ployment, employment of scout dog teams with
mechanized infantry will be restricted to several
areas. Obviously, dismounted scout dog teams
couldn't keep up with tracked vehicles during
rapid movement or in many offensive situations.
Although there have been cases where scout dogs
have alerted from atop moving tracked vehicles,
the wind caused by movement and the engine
noises and odors will usually make alerting im-
possible.
94. The Offense
If scout dog teams are employed with mechanized
infantry in offensive operations, they will nor-
mally ride in or on the vehicles, and may be ef-
fectively employed in one or more of the follow-
ing roles:
a. The scout dog team and its security element
may dismount to check suspicious areas or ob-
stacles, especially where reconnaissance by fire
or aerial observation is undesirable or not feasi-
ble.
b. Scout dog teams may work dismounted for
short periods where natural or man-made ob-
stacles, weather, or terrain restrict forward speed
to a minimum.
c. When confronted by a river or stream, and
the tactical situation permits, the dog can be
directed to the far side to check for enemy posi-
tions, mines, or boobytraps.
95. The Defense
Scout dog teams can be effectively employed with
mechanized infantry in the defense much as they
are employed with dismounted infantry. Here,
their capabilities can augment those of night
vision devices and sensors, especially since the
dog's senses can provide a wider range of detec-
tion possibilities than any single counterintru-
sion device.
96. Employment of Scout Dog Teams With
Airmobile Units
Experience has shown that scout dogs can effec-
74
tively lie employed with airmobile infantry in
most airmobile operations.
a. Transportation by Helicopter. Whether on
an operation or when being transported by heli-
copter, there are a number of rules which the
handler must follow:
(1) The scout dog must first be accustomed
to riding in ground vehicles.
(2) Dogs must be muzzled prior to entering
the aircraft.
(3) If more than one team is on an aircraft,
they should be separated as much as possible.
(4) Dogs should sit between and/or behind
the handler's legs (fig 50). During movement,
the dogs should be encouraged to lie down.
(5) Dog teams should board the aircraft
last and exit first.
(6) Although the dogs may have to be help-
ed aboard at first, most dogs are soon able to
jump on and off by themselves. Although most
dogs enjoy riding helicopters, some may become
over-eager to exit the aircraft as it approaches
the ground. Handlers must exercise caution to
insure that their dogs don't jump off until it is
safe to do so.
b. Employment. In addition to normal employ-
ment on the ground, there are a number of spe-
cific means of employing scout dogs on airmobile
operations:
(1) A scout dog can be rappelled to the
ground to check a landing zone for enemy per-
sonnel, mines, or boobytraps.
(2) Scout dogs can quickly check a landing
zone as the supported personnel are dismounting
and deploying.
(3) Scout dogs can check a potential pickup
zone for enemy personnel, mines, or boobytraps.
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75
97. Employment of Scout Dog Teams on
Waterborne Operations
a. Where the tactical situation requires the in-
fantry to conduct waterborne operations along
rivers, streams, and canals of flooded marsh-
lands, scout dog teams can be effectively employed.
Under these circumstances a patrol is extremely
vulnerable to ambush due to its precarious posi-
tion on the water and the possibly reduced visi-
bility caused by high banks or bordering vegeta-
tion. A trained scout dog team can reduce these
dangers by screening to the front, around blind
bends, and to the flanks or rear,
b. Employment.
(1) Ordinarily the scout dog team will be
employed with the lead element of the patrol ; the
dog and handler taking up a stationary position
in the bow or stern of the craft.
(2) Due to the irregular wind drifts (caused
by the high banks and water currents) this
screening element should follow a zigzag course
down the canal or stream, working from one
bank to the other.
(3) If there is a prevailing wind blowing
off either flank, however, the screening element
should follow the bank farthest away from the
upwind flank so that the dog won't get caught
in any dead space caused by the scent being
blown over the canal bank. The principles of wind
utilization are no different than when running
land problems.
(4) It should not be construed, however,
that the dogs always work from the lead boat.
At times the wind may be blowing from the
rear and this will necessitate placing the dog in
the stern of the last boat.
(5) In those instances where only one boat
is employed, then the dog should be placed in
the bow or stern, depending on the wind direc-
tion, and allowed to remain there.
(6) It is not advisable to change the team's
position once the boat is afloat. Should the boat
be too small or crowded there is always the risk
of the craft being capsized. There is also the
danger of the dog biting a member of the patrol,
or making other undue noises which would alert
the enemy. If it becomes imperative for the team
to change positions, then the boat should be pul-
led onto land where the exchange can be made
with the least possible delay, noise, and/or con-
fusion. This can be. done by off-loading the team
and then reloading them after other patrol mem-
bers have shifted positions. The most important
point to remember is not to risk any change of
position where the possibility exists of capsizing
the boat. This can cost lives, equipment, and the
success of the mission.
c. Actions of Handler on Alert.
(1) The handler should be able to recognize
by the dog's actions the type of alert (scent,
sound, or sight), the general direction of the
alert, the approximate distance of the enemy,
and the general size of the hostile force.
(2) Following the dog alerting, the handler
should notify the patrol leader (who should be
in the same boat as the team) by the most ex-
peditious and silent means available. Ordinarily
this can be done by arm-and-hand signals due
to their close proximity to one another.
(3) If the patrol leader directs that contact
be made with the enemy, or that the alert be
investigated, the boat should be beached and all
members required to disembark. Then the team
should take whatever action is dictated by the
situation; e.g., follow up the alert, or if contact
is imminent, remain back at the shore with a
bodyguard, but not in the boat. This position is
too vulnerable, and in case the enemy slips into
the landing area the team has a better chance
of survival on land,
d. Techniques of Loading and Off -Loading.
(1) Prior to entry into waterborne training
exercises, all dogs must be thoroughly obedient
and under absolute control of the handler.
(2) Practice should start with dogs being
accustomed to getting in and out of a boat tied
to a pier or bank. This should be repeated as
often as necessary until the dog shows no fright
and can manipulate any required maneuver with-
out threat of capsizing the craft. To accomplish
this maneuver the handler should always enter
the boat first. Then he can either lift the dog into
the boat or have it enter by itself. The choice
depends on the physical relationship of the boat
to the bank or pier. The reason for the handler
entering the boat first is so that he can be there
to control the dog, and give encouragement if
necessary.
(3) The team should also be the first to enter
the boat. While they are doing so other members
of the patrol should be steadying the craft to
prevent it from capsizing.
(4) The team should also enter the boat
from the center portion, unless the bow or stern
can be stabilized. After entering the team should
immediately take up positions in the stern or
bow of the boat (fig 51 ) .
76
(5) Once aboard the boat the dog must re-
main silent. It may be permitted to lie down only
if the situation or patrol duration allows ; other-
wise, the dog should be kept in the sitting posi-
tion, facing forward or to the rear of the craft
depending on where it is stationed to take best
advantage of the wind.
(6) The changeover is made before entry
into the boat. The boat may be too crowded or
too easily capsized to permit making the change-
over once adrift.
(7) To off-load a scout dog the procedure
is reversed, as explained previously (fig 52). It
is important to note that during off-loading ex-
ercises the dog is not permitted to jump into the
water, unless absolutely necessary to gain the
shore, because the resulting noise of splashing
and shaking itself to dry off will alert any enemy
in the immediate vicinity of the landing,
(8) The scout dog team and patrol mem-
bers of the lead boat should go ashore to recon-
noiter the river bank at suspected danger points
(fig 53).
(9) When effecting any water borne opera-
tion it is imperative that the dog be silent and
under complete control of the handler at all times.
This important point is repeated because any
noise could cost the lives of the patrol.
tO. Impfoymerat of Scetust Dog Team in
Northern Operations
With proper training and acclimatization, scout
dog teams can be employed in mountainous, artic,
or subarctic regions. The German Shepherd's
dual coat enables it to adapt to almost any climate.
a. Weather is an important factor to be con-
sidered in the estimate of the situation and may
dictate a course of action. As an example, the
attacker in a snowstorm with the wind at his
back is at a marked disadvantage, as the scent
will be detected by the dog long before the at-
tacker comes into view.
b. Snow enhances the movement of troops suit-
ably equipped and trained, but reduces the mobil-
ity of troops lacking proper equipment and train-
ing.
c. Best employment in deep snow is by the use
of a long leash, or off leash provided that the
dog is under control.
d. The hard crust formed on snow will sustain
the weight of most dogs. Daily inspection of the
dog's pads is necessary as hard, crusted snow
and ice will wear down the pads and may cause
an ineffective team. Dog boots may be used in
this environment (fig 54) .
e. Snow, rain, sleet, and fog have a tendency
to reduce the strength of a scent; however, it
is not always the dog but sometimes the handler
that is affected most by the elements. The dis-
tance at which dogs can pick up human scent
varies with conditions.
/. Scout dog teams may be assigned to work
with mountain and/or ski troops operating 10,000
to 12,000 feet above sea level. However, in order
to function efficiently at such high altitudes the
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Figure SI. Waterborne patrol with scout dog team.
77
Figure 5%. Scout dog team unloading from assault boat.
Figure 5S. Scout dog team on reconnaissance patrol.
handler and dog must be trained to move over
cliffs, rocks, ravines, glaciers, and deep snow.
g. The handler's knowledge must also include
how to prepare shelters (FM 20-20).
h. Setting up bivouac areas will vary accord-
ing to the terrain encountered on a particular
operation. Living conditions are improved, how-
ever, if the area is used longer than one night
(FM 31-71, and FM 21-50).
78
Figure 5b. Dog boots.
79
99. Desert Operations
a. Most deserts around the Mediterranean Sea
are arid regions with a high evaporation rate
and a yearly rainfall of less than 10-inches. (In
the Gobi Desert water can usually be found close
to the surface.) Temperatures during the hottest
part of the day are well over 100° F. and often
range between 20° to 30° F. at night. Thus, it is
best to work dogs during the cooler night tem-
peratures.
6. Desert winds are variable and often unpre-
dictable. In some parts of the Sahara Desert
light northerly or westerly breezes occur during
the day and are common after sunset. Winds
are generally constant in the deserts of the Middle
East where they blow continuously for a number
of days at a time. (The Seistan Desert in Afghani-
stan and Iran is noted for its "wind of 120 days"
which blows steadily from May until September.)
Storms of hurricane velocity are frequent through-
out the year, and they are often accompanied by
rapid temperature changes. These storms blow
sand so thick and forcibly that it can be danger-
ous to troops who are not trained to protect eyes
and nostrils and otherwise cope with such condi-
tions. Scout dogs must be similarly protected.
Wind, sand, and dust are particularly irritative
to mucous membranes and may cause local ir-
ritation of near-disabling nature. The wind,
besides drying mucous membranes and chapping
the lips and other exposed skin surfaces, carries
dust and sand particles which penetrate clothing
and goggles. Irritative conjunctivitis, caused by
the infiltration of fine particles into the eyes, is
a frequent complaint of soldiers even when they
wear goggles. Obviously, these conditions can
severely limit the performance of men and dogs.
100. Casualty Procedure
There are a number of specific procedures which
must be followed should a handler or dog sustain
injuries in combat.
a. A wounded or injured handler is treated
according to the supported unit's casualty plan.
(1) If a handler is to be left for later evacua-
tion, his dog will remain with him.
(2) If a handler is to be evacuated by the
patrol a member of the patrol should be detailed
to lead the dog on-leash to the pickup point. If
this is not possible, the dog may be turned off
leash, as most dogs will follow their handlers.
Caution: Under no conditions should a member
of a supported unit attempt to work the dog.
b. Some dogs may become overly defensive and
try to prevent anyone approaching their handler
to administer first aid. In this situation every
effort should be made to get the dog away from
the handler so that he can be treated and evacu-
ated. Several suggested methods are:
(1) Coaxing the dog away with friendly
'words or food.
(2) Throwing a poncho over the dog to im-
mobilize it.
(3) Roping and tying the dog.
c. If none of the above works, or the tactical
situation or nature of the handler's injuries does
not permit the above, then the dog MUST be
destroyed. NO MATTER HOW VALUABLE OR
COSTLY THE DOG, HUMAN LIFE ALWAYS
TAKES PRECEDENCE.
d. If a dog is wounded or killed, it is evacuated
under the same conditions as a human casualty.
The handler always accompanies his dog.
SO
APPENDEX A
REFERENCES
AR 190-12
AR 700-81
PM 8-35
FM 20-20
FM 20-32
FM 21-50
FM 21-75
FM 31-22
FM 31-25
FM 31-35
FM 31-70
FM 31-71
FM 31-72
ATP 7-167
ASubjSched 7-39
ATT 7-167
Military Police Working Dogs.
Department of Defense Dog Program.
Transportation of the Sick and Wounded.
Basic Care and Training of Military Dogs.
Landmine Warfare.
Ranger Training and Ranger Operations.
Combat Training of the Individual Soldier and
Patrolling.
US Army Counterinsurgency Forces.
Desert Operations.
Jungle Operations.
Basic Cold Weather Manual.
Northern Operations.
Mountain Operations.
Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog) (TOE 7-167).
Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog) (TOE 7-167).
Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog) (TOE 7-167).
81
APPENDIX B
PATROL BRIEFING DATA GUIDE
Section j. INTRODUCTION
1. Assemble all patrol members in order that they may see an<J hear
all instructions and demonstrations.
2. Identify yourself and your dog (name and unit),
3. Coordinate with patrol leader on time and place for patrol orders,
rehearsal, and other information.
4. Always try to rehearse with patrol prior to moving out on assignment.
5. Make sure dog smells every member of the patrol.
Section II. CAPABILITIES
6. Dog can give early warning (silent) of individual or group of people
nearby in vicinity of patrol, i.e., silent early warning of ambush or sniper.
7. Dog can detect an infiltrator or a group of persons infiltrating the
perimeter.
8. Dog can assist in the detection of tunnels and/or other devices used
by the enemy as storage locations for food and supplies.
9. A dog's alertness and senses of smell, sight, and hearing are con-
siderably better than those of a man,
10. A dog should be used on point whenever possible.
11. If vegetation is dense, a trail breaker should move ahead of the dog.
The dog will still be able to use its senses of detection.
Section l\l LIMITATIONS
12. A dog should only be worked by one qualified handler.
13. If speed is essential, the team should be moved to the rear.
14. A dog team does not join the attack unit or the enveloping unit,
15. Wind plays an important factor, when working the dog's ability
to alert.
16. Alerts can vary according to the wind velocity, wind direction, the
concentration of human scent, humidity, density or openness of the terrain
and the amount of confusing noises in the area.
17. Never split a dog team.
18. If a dog is wounded it should be evacuated under the same conditions
as a human casualty.
82
19. If a handler becomes a casualty and the dog becomes aggressive
and the handler cannot be administered aid due to the dog, the dog MUST
be destroyed.
20. Patrol members MUST NOT feel an exaggerated sense of security
due to having a dog team in their patrol, nor must they become agitated
and apprehensive because of the presence of the dog.
21. One man should be assigned to the dog team from the patrol unit
as a body guard for security. This is due to the dog handler needing both
hands to control the dog and cannot use his weapon effectively.
22. In hot weather, carry extra water for the dog as it dehydrates quickly.
23. If more than one dog is used on a patrol, the extra dog(s) should be
kept in reserve and the point dog should be relieved frequently, especially
in rough terrain.
Section IV. CAUTIONS TO PATROL PERSONNEL
24. Warn patrol members not to pet the dog. It may become noisy or
aggressive.
25. Always approach handler on the right side.
26. When taking cover, avoid jumping too near the dog or the handler.
27. Checking danger areas : Ask patrol leader ; mission depends on situa-
tion and terrain.
28. Village surveys: Check with patrol leader on assigned section.
APPENDIX C
SENTRY DOG TRAINING
Section I. BASIC TRAINING
1. Basic Training Required
The basic obedience training: requirements for
sentry dogs are identical to those outlined in FM
20-20.
2. Advanced Obedience
a. Advanced obedience training consists of
requiring the dog to run an obstacle course and
to perform all exercises off leash and without
the use of command gestures. Since sentry dogs
are normally used at night when gestures are
useless, it is essential to train them to under-
stand and obey oral commands. This advanced
training allows the handler to acquire increased
control over his dog and develops in the dog
the discipline necessary for effective military
service.
6. At the start of obedience training, the dogs
are well separated to minimize the possibility of
fights. A dog that attemps to attack another
should be muzzled immediately as punishment.
As the training progresses the handlers increase
their control and the dogs become accustomed to
working together in the area. The distance be-
tween dogs is then gradually reduced until hand-
lers and dogs, working off leash, are capable of
doing close order drill and obedience exercises at
intervals of 4 feet or less.
3. Obstacle Course
Sentry dogs cannot be expected to maintain peak
efficiency unless they are in top physical condi-
tion. This means, that in addition to receiving
proper food and medical care, they must be ex-
ercised frequently, regularly, and strenuously.
An obstacle course (FM 20-20) which may be
constructed out of natural or salvage materials,
provides an excellent medium for such exercises.
All units which have sentry dogs assigned should
have an obstacle course constructed. A good ob-
stacle course should include but is not limited to
hurdles, ditches, low ramps for jumping, high
ramps to teach the dog that it is safe to go wher-
ever its handler takes it, tunnels to teach a dog to
crawl, and walking logs or ladders raised above
and parallel to the ground to teach a dog to be
sure footed.
4. Mission
The mission of the sentry dog is to —
a. Detect and warn.
b. Pursue and attack.
c. Delay (assist in apprehension).
5. Use of Sentry Dogs
a. The sentry dog, as the name implies, is
used principally on guard duty as a watchdog.
This type dog is trained to give warning to "its
handler by growling, barking, or by silent alert.
It is habitually worked on leash. The handler,
keeping the dog on leash, walks his post and can
depend on the dog to alert him of the approach
or presence of strangers in or about the area
being protected. When the dog alerts, the hand-
ler must be prepared to cope with the situation
as circumstances dictate ; that is, he must investi-
gate (keeping carefully under cover), challenge
and make an arrest if an intruder is present.
The dog, being kept on leash and close to the
handler, will attack on command of its handler.
6. The sentry dog can be used to advantage in
such critical locations as —
(1) Airplane dispersal areas (fig 55).
(2) Gun emplacement areas.
(3) Beach patrol areas.
(4) Ammunition dumps.
(5) Ration dumps.
(6) Motor pools (fig 56).
84
(7) Dynamite storage areas.
(8) Guided missile sites.
(9) Waterworks (fig 57).
(10) Warehouses.
c. The sentry dog is a one-man dog. Each dog
is assigned to only one handler for care, training,
and duty.
d. Whenever practical, sentry dogs should
work downwind from the area being protected
to increase their alerting range.
e. There is no need to withdraw sentry dog
teams from post during rainy weather. Although
a heavy rain will tend to reduce a dog's effective
alerting range, its ability to detect intruders will
still exceed that of the handler. No difficulties
should be encountered in the employment of sen-
try dogs in cold climates where temperatures fall
to 40° F. below zero. The dogs will adjust
rapidly to the extreme temperature; however,
for peak efficiency in such cold climates, carry
out the following special instructions.
(1) Assign the dogs to their duty sites dur-
ing the summer months so they can gradually
become acclimated before cold weather sets in.
(2) Cold weather housing for dogs should
be unheated and located out-of-doors.
(3) In extremely cold climates, provide the
dogs with boots to protect their pads against ice
cuts. Dog boots may be made from canvas or
leather (fig 54).
6. Selection for Training in Sentry Work
To be suitable for sentry training, dogs should
possess the desirable traits in the following de-
grees :
a. Intelligence — moderate to high.
&. Willingness — moderate to high.
c. Energy — moderate to high.
d. Aggressiveness — high.
e. Sensitivity — low to moderate.
7. Training Conditions
a. Functions of the Handler. In addition to
teaching the dog to obey his commands, the hand-
ler must instill in the dog the idea that every
human, except himself, is his natural enemy. He
does this by encouraging the dog to alert at the
presence of any stranger and always be suspicious.
It must be emphasized that the handler NEVER
PERMITS ANYONE TO PET OR MAKE
FRIENDS WITH THE DOG HE IS TRAIN-
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Figure 55. Guarding aircraft (sentry dog).
85
Figure 56. Guarding motor pool {eentry dog).
Figure 57. Guarding waterworks (sentry dog).
ING. He must remember that he is the only
friend the dog must recognize; he is the ONLY
master. For the same reason, the handler must
never pet any dog except his own. He must al-
ways practice safety,
6. Functions of Assistant. An assistant is
used to act as agitator and decoy. The agitator
sharpens the dog's aggressiveness by agitating
and angering the dog and builds up its self-
confidence by retreating as soon as the dog makes
an aggressive move toward him. He approaches
the dog in a threatening manner, but when the
dog makes the slightest move toward him, he re-
treats. His manner of approaching the dog may
be varied according to the dog's temperament. It
is essential, however, that in every encounter
between the dog and the agitator, the DOG
MUST ALWAYS BE THE WINNER. The agi-
tator is as important in sentry dog training as
the handler, and his work should be carefully
86
supervised by the instructor. For variety, differ-
ent men are used as agitators. The handler of
one dog can act as agitator for the handler of
another dog (fig 58).
c. Location. Training starts in the regular
training area. As soon as the dog progresses,
it is moved to different locations, chosen to re-
semble various types of sentry posts.
d. Time. Initial training is done during day-
time. When the dog alerts consistently to the
presence of unfamiliar persons in daytime, final
training is undertaken at night.
8. Equipment for Sentry Training
The following equipment is required:
a. The handler will need a chain choke col-
lar, a 5-foot leather leash, a 25-foot leash, a flat
leather collar, a stake, and a kennel chain.
b. The agitator needs a small flexible stick,
rolled up sacking, or other harmless weapon, and
an attack sleeve {fig 59).
9. Training Procedure
Training to make the sentry dog aggressive is
divided into three stages :
a. An Under aggressive Dog. This dog reacts
negatively to the presence of the agitator. It
may stand and wag its tail, throw itself on the
ground, or try to run away from the agitator.
In this case, the agitator approaches the dog
from the flank and hits or seizes it from behind.
The handler sets an example for the dog by
making threatening gestures toward the agita-
tor, who imitates a dog's growl. When the dog,
in trying to protect itself, snaps or growls at
the agitator, the agitator at once stops agitating
the dog and quickly runs away. In training this
type of dog, it is very important for the handler
to exaggerate his praise and encouragement
whenever the dog shows the slightest sign of ag-
gressiveness, and for the agitator to exaggerate
his simulated fear of the dog. This procedure
must be repeated until the dog's confidence is
built up and it tries to attack the agitator as
©
Figure 58. Preparation for agitation.
87
soon as he approaches. Training for the day is
concluded with praise by the master as the agi-
tator disappears.
6. A Moderately Aggressive Dog. This dog is
the ideal dog to train for sentry work. It barks
or growls as soon as the agitator appears, lung-
ing on the chain and trying to attack. The agi-
tator runs away and out of sight. As soon as the
dog responds in this manner, the handler praises
it lavishly and, if the dog is not too excited, pats
it. When the handler is convinced that the dog is
aroused only against the agitator and that it has
no tendency to attack indiscriminately, it may
be considered ready for work off the stake. The
exercise for the day is concluded with the agita-
tor running away and the handler praising the
dog and unchaining it.
c. An Overaggressive Dog. This dog is apt to
lose its head, try to bite everyone within reach,
and keep on barking even after the agitator dis-
appears. In this case, the handler scolds the dog.
He shouts NO, jerking on the leash until the dog
calms down. He must be careful not to step within
reach until the dog stops barking and growling.
When he is sure that the dog is calm enough,
he approaches it, speaking soothingly, and praises
and pets it. This procedure is repeated, except
that the agitator appears and disappears im-
mediately. As the dog shows signs of directing
its aggressiveness toward the agitator, the hand-
ler lavishes praise and tries to indicate to the dog
that its hostility must be directed only at the
agitator. After two or three trials, stop train-
ing for the day. It is resumed the following day
with the dog chained to the stake as before. It
is chained to the stake for this exercise until the
dog has demonstrated that it will not bite the
handler, no matter how excited it becomes.
1 0. Agitation
a. Advanced agitation training consists of agi-
tating the dog to the extent of making it bite at
the agitator. The agitator wears the attack sleeve
to give the dog something to actually bite. He
uses a stick or burlap bag to agitate the dog. The
agitator builds the dog up by acting frightened
and backing away every time the dog advances.
Without exception, the dog must always be the
winner. A handler never agitates his own dog.
6. The dog always wears the leather collar
for agitation training. As soon as a session has
been completed the collar is removed (fig 60),
In this way the dog soon comes to associate the
leather collar with agitation and when it is placed
around its neck the dog will begin to search
for an agitator. The dog also wears the leather
collar while performing sentry duty. It is im-
portant that this (leather) collar-agitator asso-
ciation be established early and firmly. The choke
chain is used only when taking a dog to or from
the kennel area and during obedience training.
It is agitation which develops in a dog the ag-
gressiveness and viciousness essential to an effec-
tive sentry dog. Its aggressiveness and vicious-
ness determine its alertness on post and urge to
attack. It is important to keep in mind that each
98
dog is an individual with a distinct tempera-
ment of its own, and to obtain the best results
agitation must be suited to the dog. There are
three principal methods of agitation.
(1) Line agitation,
(a) Handlers and dogs form a single line
at intervals of about 15 feet, the dogs standing
at heel. The agitator quietly approaches one end
of the line from the rear. He stops when he is
about 30 feet from the first dog and handler and
the instructor commands ABOUT, FACE. All
handlers and dogs execute about face, and the
first dog and handler advance slowly toward the
agitator. The handler incites his dog with the
command WATCH HIM. When the dog comes
within 10 feet of him, the agitator acts excited
and afraid and begins to retreat, walking back-
wards. The dog is allowed to approach within 3
feet of the agitator who then agitates the dog a
few moments with his stick, while continuing to
retreat. The handler then calls off his dog and
leads him back of the agitation line to the other
end while the next dog and handler start the
same procedure. This should continue until each
dog has gone through three repetitions with the
agitator. The dogs are NOT allowed to take hold
of the agitator during this exercise (fig 59).
Figure 60. Changeover {sentry doff).
(6) Six naturally aggressive dogs are
brought out at the same time. These are dogs
which have demonstrated that they do not need
to be chained to the stake. Between every two of
these dogs is placed a dog that has reacted nega-
tively to the first phase of training. All the dogs
are lined up far enough apart so that they can-
not get into a fight among themselves. Each dog
is on leash at the left side of the handler. The
command WATCH HIM is given when the agita-
tor appears and walks toward the dogs. Some of
the dogs will bark immediately; these should be
praised by their handlers. The agitator concen-
trates his attention on the dogs that do not re-
spond readily. He approaches them with his
stick, threatens them, and jumps away. Inspired
by the bolder dogs beside them, even the slow
ones will eventually start barking. If properly
encouraged by their handlers, they will under-
stand that there is nothing to fear from the agi-
tator, and that he will disappear as soon as they
bark, growl, or make a move toward him. When
all the dogs alert as soon as the agitator appears,
he must vary his direction of approach and in-
crease the distance at which he first appears. The
dogs that detect him earliest are praised lav-
ishly. It will be found that the slower dogs learn
from their aggressive companions, as well as
from their handlers. OVER AGGRESSIVE DOGS
ARE NOT USED IN LINE AGITATION.
(c) When all dogs in the class alert at
the approach of the agitator, a new man takes
his place. The dogs learn in this way that any
man approaching is an enemy. It is desirable to
have numerous persons play the role of the agita-
tor, and dressed in different clothing.
(ef) The handler now plays the role of the
sentry, walking post with his dog heeling on
loose leash. (This simulated post must be changed
each day so that the dog does not get accus-
tomed to one, definite route.) When the dog and
sentry have advanced a short distance, the agi-
tator approaches from some place of concealment.
If the dog has learned its first lesson, it will de-
tect the approach of the agitator and will alert
without help from the handler. If the dog does
not alert, the handler gives it the cue by com-
manding WATCH HIM. As soon as the dog gives
warning, the agitator runs out of sight and the
handler praises and encourages the dog. If the
dog does not respond correctly, the agitator con-
ceals himself along the dog's path of advance,
steps out quickly from his hiding place, hits at
the dog with a stick, and jumps away. This will
arouse the dog. Furthermore, the dog will learn
that unless it gives alarm immediately upon de-
89
tecting the presence of a stranger, it will be cor-
rected.
(e) When a dog detects and alerts to the
presence of all strangers at a considerable dis-
tance without any help during the daytime, it is
generally ready to be worked at night. It will
usually be found that a dog is better at night be-
cause scenting conditions are more favorable and
its keen hearing is enhanced by the absence of
distracting noises.
(2) Stake agitation.
(a) Stake agitation follows line agitation.
The dog is chained to a tree, post, or stake in
some open space away from the kennels. This ex-
ercise tends to further build the dog's confidence
in itself in unfamiliar places. Some dogs are
Figure 61. Muzzle agitation.
90
naturally aggressive and do not need much agi-
tation to become excited. To avoid accidents,
training to arouse aggressiveness may be started
by tying the dog to a stake with a kennel chain
attached to the broad leather collar. It is advis-
able to loosen an inch or two of the earth around
the stake so that the stake will give a little when
the dog lunges, and not check it too sharply.
The handler heels the dog to the end of the chain,
orders it to sit and steps away from the dog.
When the agitator approaches and comes within
sight the handler puts the dog on the alert by
the command WATCH HIM, uttered in a low
voice, almost a whisper. The command WATCH
HIM is used only during early training. It is a
signal for the dog that it is on duty and must
be prepared to detect any intrusion. The com-
mand should be eliminated as soon as the dog has
learned that putting on the collar and leash sig-
nifies that it is on duty. WATCH HIM is never
used in actual service to alert the dog. The dog
alerts the handler of danger, the handler does not
alert the dog.
(6) The agitator appears, equipped with
a small, flexible stick or some other harmless
weapon. He approaches the dog from an angle,
not facing it directly. He looks at the dog out of
the corner of his eyes; he does not stare at it.
He strikes at the dog without hitting it and jumps
away. As the agitator strikes, the handler en-
courages the dog by commanding GET HIM, in a
sharp voice. Dogs will respond to this procedure
according to their natural aggressiveness.
(3) Muzzle agitation.
(a) This is an exercise for sentry dogs.
The sentry dog is muzzled and allowed to attack
its agitator who wears regular clothing. This ac-
tually is a test to determine if the dog will at-
tack, on command, persons not dressed in the
attack suit. During training many dogs seem to
acquire an almost exclusive association between
the attack suit and "enemy." This form of agita-
tion will determine if a sentry dog is "Suit
Happy" or not (fig 61).
(6) Dogs are never agitated from a ve-
hicle. Eventually this will cause them to look for
and react against vehicles instead of people. In
addition, they become nervous and excited when
vehicles approach, thus making it difficult to get
them to enter one and ride calmly.
(c) Normally, dogs should be agitated at
least three times weekly to keep them at the peak
of their effectiveness, but the temperament of in-
dividual dogs should also be considered in deter-
mining the amount of agitation they need. Under
no circumstances will a dog be agitated in the
absence of its handler.
Section II. ADVANCED TRAINING
11 . Quartering
The dog must learn to detect the presence of a
human in partial or complete concealment either
below, at, or above ground level. For this reason,
the final stage of sentry training must include
search in areas where decoys are concealed in
such places as the branches of a tree, behind a
fence, or in a ditch. It is desirable to work the dog
on the 25-foot leash, as well as the short leash,
so that it can enter buildings and other sus-
pected places of concealment ahead of the hand-
ler.
a. Quartering is the method the handler and
his dog use to search a section of terrain, tak-
ing full advantage of the wind, to locate any in-
truder that may be present. Scents borne by the
wind may be elusive. Sometimes the dog can de-
tect them from one spot whereas, from another
spot just as close to the source of the scent, it
may receive no scent at all. Therefore, to give
the dog every opportunity to pick up a scent, the
handler must lead it systematically over a fair-
sized area so that every breeze can pass through
the dog's nose.
b. Figure 62 shows a quartering course lay
out for training. The instructor lays out the
course and selects the starting point downwind
from the decoy. The handler and dog proceed
through the course as diagrammed. The dog first
alerts to a weak scent. The handler can then
elect to further quarter the course or let the dog
follow the weak scent directly to where the dog
should give a strong alert. From this point, the
handler lets the dog move in and find the decoy.
c. Figure 63 shows schematically how a hand-
ler and dog would work an area in the field to
search out an intruder. Based on his knowledge
of the dog, the handler knows that the alert at
first is a weak one. The team continues to work,
as shown, and the dog gives a strong alert and
turns in the direction of the wind which is in
the direction of the intruder.
91
Figure 62. Quartering course.
12. Training Procedure
Before the dog and handler arrive in the train-
ing area, the instructor visually selects a route
for the team to follow. The instructor preposi-
tions human decoys at various intervals and at
different distances away from and upwind to the
prescribed route. The instructor and decoys must
not walk the selected route as their odor will
mark the trail.
a. The dog and handler then enter the train-
ing area, which is preferably one where high
grass affords cover for the decoys. Once in the
field, the handler has a collar on his dog and at-
taches the 5-foot leash. The dog wears the collar
only when it is working. The handler removes
it at the conclusion of the exercise. On starting
the quartering exercise, the handler commands
SEARCH, letting the dog precede him on a loose
leash. The dog will then attempt to locate the
decoy by scent, sound, or sight. In this initial
exercise, it is important for the decoy to be well-
concealed from view and remain quiet, but within
easy scenting distance and directly upwind from
the dog.
6. The dog is encouraged to lift its nose and
sample the wind well above ground level. When
the dog detects a scent other than the handler's,
it is likely to react in one of the following ways :
(1) Tensing the whole body.
(2) Raising his hackles (hair on neck).
(3) Prick up ears.
(4) Giving other signs of alertness (easily
recognizable by a keen observer), such as a de-
sire to investigate, a slight inclination to whimper
or growl, an active or distinctly rigid tail.
c. As soon as the dog gives evidence that it
has picked up the scent, the handler praises it.
92
Figwre 63. Quartering field.
Praise at this point must be given in a soft, al-
most whispering- voice; it must not be insistent
enough to divert the dog from its work. Some
dogs when first going into the field will put their
noses to the ground and attempt to pick up a
ground scent. The handler must immediately
discourage this tendency by placing his foot un-
der the dog's chin to make it lift its head and then
reprimand the dog saying NO in a stern voice.
It is important that the dog's nose be raised to
the proper scenting level IMMEDIATELY, if it
attempts to ground trail.
d. When the dog gives an alert, the handler
deduces the general direction to the decoy's hid-
ing place and announces it to the instructor. If
he is correct in his deduction, the instructor tells
the handler to follow the scent. When the dog is
about 10 feet from the decoy, the instructor tells
the decoy to move out. The decoy exposes him-
self and runs rapidly to his right. The handler
allows the dog to chase the decoy for 30 to 40 feet
then turns off to his left to avoid contact with the
decoy. The handler rewards the dog with praise
and the exercise is considered concluded.
e. During repetitions of the exercise, the size
of the quartering course is enlarged and the
number of decoys is increased. The distances be-
tween the dog and the concealed decoys are
lengthened progressively. The handler must give
his dog every possible opportunity to locate the
decoys. He stops at intervals so the dog can take
advantage of every breeze, quartering the field if
necessary for the dog to catch the scent. He pays
strict attention to the dog's action and encour-
ages it as soon as the dog shows signs that it
may have scented a decoy. The dog is not always
allowed to follow the scent to the decoy and give
chase. The handler uses the chase as a form of
93
reward, but he should use it less frequently dur-
ing training.
/. This exercise is repeated daily with the ter-
rain and other conditions being varied. The de-
coy is concealed in underbrush, ditches, branches
of a tree, behind rocks, or in any natural or ar-
tificial hiding place (fig 62).
g. The role of the decoy is played by a dif-
ferent man each day so that the dog will learn
that it must pick up all human scent other than
just that of its handler.
h. After the dog and its handler have estab-
lished mutual understanding, they practice the
exercise at night.
13. Attack Training
a.. The dog is taught to attack and stop its
attack on command. The command to attack is
GET HIM and the command to release or stop
attacking is OUT. At the command GET HIM,
the handler drops the leash and the dog attacks.
On the command OUT, the dog releases and
watches the intruder. The dog returns to the
handler only on command.
b. The handler and his dog proceed to an area
which is isolated from both pedestrian and vehi-
cular traffic. In the training area, the handler
puts the leather work collar on the dog and does
not remove it until the exercise is completed.
The agitator, dressed in an attack suit (fig 64),
should be concealed upwind from the dog so that
his scent will be driven directly into the dog's
nose. For the first exercise in this phase of train-
ing, it is important for the agitator to be well-
concealed, but within easy scenting distance and
directly upwind from the dog. The handler com-
mands SEARCH, and the dog then tries to lo-
cate the agitator by scent or sound. When the
dog alerts and pulls on the leash, the handler
should put his hand on the dog's flank, stroking
it gently and whispering the words "Atta boy,
Good boy," to praise the dog. He must praise the
dog enough to encourage it, but must not distract
the dog. The dog's attention must remain fo-
Figwe Si, Attack suit.
94
Figure 65. Dvg attacking agitator (off leash).
cused in the direction of the agitator. The dog ap-
proaches the concealed agitator and the handler
again uses words of praise and encouragement.
When the dog is within a short distance of the
agitator, the agitator breaks cover. The handler
orders the agitator to halt and place his hands
over his head. The agitator ignores the order
and tries to escape. The handler then releases
his dog and commands GET HIM. The dog then
pursues and attacks the agitator (fig 65) who,
after a brief struggle, ceases to resist. The hand-
ler approaches, commands OUT, and draws the
dog o away from the agitator, at the same time
praising and patting the dog. He leads the
dog about 10 feet away from the agitator and
commands DOWN, STAY, and WATCH HIM.
He then returns to the agitator and searches him,
being careful never to place himself between the
dog and the agitator. In the course of the search,
the agitator strikes or pushes the handler to the
ground and tries to run away. At this point the
dog must attack the agitator WITHOUT COM-
MAND from the handler.
14. Attacking Under ©unfir®
Attack under gunfire is taught after the sentry
dog is well-trained and the handler is sure that
it will obey all commands or gestures to attack
and cease attack. The agitator wears the attack
suit. The procedure is like that prescribed in
paragraph 13, except that when the dog flushes
the agitator, the handler and the agitator ex-
change pistol shots, the handler firing first. The
exercise then continues through all the stages of
pursuit, capture, guard, and search. When ex-
changing shots, the handler and agitator should
be careful not to fire close to the dog's head to
avoid powder burns, particularly about its eyes
and nose.
'.' 5, Guarding «j Frh@TCr
On the command DOWN, the dog assumes this
position in front of a motionless "prisoner" in
the attack suit. The dog must not be close enough
for the prisoner to injure it with a sudden kick.
The handler then commands WATCH HIM to
put the dog on the alert, and walks away to a
hiding place where he can observe the dog's ac-
tions. The prisoner then starts to turn around,
or walk or run away. If the dog does not attack
when the prisoner moves, the handler immedi-
ately comes out of his hiding place and com-
mands GET HIM. This exercise is repeated un-
til the dog pursues and attacks the prisoner
whenever he moves. The exercise should always
conclude with the handler returning to the scene,
taking charge of the prisoner, and praising the
dog.
16. Escorting a Prisoner
The dog is taught that a prisoner is not to be
attacked when accompanied by the dog's handler,
and walking slowly in front and slightly to the
left of the dog. Training example: The prisoner
suddenly turns in a threatening manner or
starts to run away. The handler drops the leash
and the dog, if well trained, will attack. At first,
the handler may need to command GET HIM.
The procedure is repeated until the dog attacks
without command when the prisoner makes any
sudden break, but refrains from attacking when
the prisoner is marching in an orderly manner
ahead of the handler. The handler praises his
dog at the conclusion of each exercise.
17. Additional Training Notes
a. Importance of Loose Heeling. In walking
a post, loose heeling is essential as long as the
dog does not pull or tug on the leash. If a han-
dler insists on close heeling, the dog is more likely
to concentrate on perfection in heeling; this
means that its attention will be on the handler
and not concentrated on the surrounding. Thus,
the dog is likely to forget its main duty, which
is to be on the alert at all times and ready to give
alarm at the slightest provocation.
b. Importance of Distrust of Strangers. The
sentry dog is taught not to make friends with
strangers. Training example: The handler walks
his dog on leash at the heel position. A stranger
approaches uttering soothing words and coaxes
the dog to come to him. As soon as the dog starts
to respond with friendliness, the stranger slaps
it smartly on the nose and jumps away. The
handler then encourages the dog to attack the
stranger. This is repeated with different people
acting as strangers until the dog growls and barks
on the approach of all strangers, no matter how
friendly their attitude or how much they attempt
to appease the dog. Next, a stranger tries to en-
tice the dog with a piece of meat or any other
bit of food the dog likes. If the dog tries to take
the food, the stranger slaps it on the nose and!
runs away without giving it the food. Thus the
dog learns that its handler is the only person to
be trusted..
96
APPENDIX D
Figure $6. Example layout of basic scouting area, (training).
97
INDEX
P£rb£ ruphs
Page
Advanced scouting
82—86
69
Airmobile operations
96
74
Alerts, types of
37, 47, 58
29, 33, 43
Basic scouting
33
27
Boobytraps
48 54
35, 39
Caches
55
39
Capabilities team
5
3
Casualty procedure
100
80
Changeover
34
27
Chase
40
.1(1
UlUtlL OjOvCIll .
OiJ
Commands
39
29
Conditioning steps
26
11
Concurrent training
32
22
Decoy ..
38, 44
29, 32
Defense
95
74
Desert operations
99
80
Dividing pen
figs. 5, 6
13
Dog selection .
9,10
5
Employment :
Capabilities
89
71
Casualty procedure
4 Art
100
80
QQ
71
Mission . -. _ ._
88
71
71
Types of:
Ambush sites
92
74
Desert operations
.... 99
80
During defense
.... 95
74
During movement
91
73
During offense
94
74
Northern operations
OR
tro
77
Outpost sites
.... 92
74
With airmobile units
.... 96
74
With mechanized units
93
74
w i Lxi waterDome
operations —
97
76
Use of teams
- 90
72
Equipment
IS
7
Evolution of concept
. 7
3
Pood:
Preparation
22
9
Types of . . . _ . .
21
9
Pood-reward method
20
9
Goal food
31
14
Good — reinforcer word ... .
25
10
Intermediate training
57—60
48
Instructor/trainer
15
6
Limitations, team
6
3
Mechanized operations
93
74
98
Paragraphs
Mines 48, 53 35, 39
Mission, team 4 3
Night training 67 — 69 53
Noise discipline 35 27
Northern operations 98 77
Offense 94 74
Praise-punishment method 20 9
Principles of dog training 13 6
Range estimation 60 43
Rappelling 74,75 57
Requirements, dog training 15 — 19 6
Reward/food method - 20 9
River crossing 72 55
Scout dog team:
Capabilities 5 3
Evolution of concept 7 3
Limitations 6 3
Mission 4 3
Responsibilities 8 4
Team S 3
Search, built-up areas, villages - - - 76 — 81 66
Search chain:
Basic chain 29 14
Goal food 31 14
Pairing 30 14
Procedure (10 steps) :
1— Feed pan orientation ..31 14
2 — Recall training 31 14
3— Stay at heel 31 14
4 — Moveout command 31 14
6 — Reorientation on pan __ 31 14
6— Sit at pan 31 14
7 — Reorientation after sit - 31 14
8 — Reconditioning of
"good" 31 14
9 — Eliminating dropper ..31 14
10 — Distance training 31 14
Timeout 31 14
Searching:
Above ground 64 51
Underground 63 50
Underwater, riverbanks 65 51
Shaping procedure (6 steps) 27 11
Silence 43 31
Specialized training 70 — 81 55
Speed 42 3f
Team :
Capabilities 5 3
Limitations 6 3
Mission 4 3
Paragraphs
Terrain:
Effects of 62
Training 19
Timeout 31
Trainer /instructor 15
Training, dog:
General 11,12
Principles of _ _ 13
Requirements :
Dogs 17
Equipment 18
Handlers 16
Instructor/trainer . _ _ 15
Terrain 19
Training, types of :
Concurrent 32
Considerations :
Alerts, sound/smell 47
Breaking dog of tracking . . 45
Chase 40
Decoys 44
Handler actions relative
decoy 46
Silence 43
Speed 42
Wind - 41
Page
45
1
14
6
7
7
7
6
7
22
33
32
30
32
33
31
31
30
Paragraphs
Integrated support 85
Intermediate :
Alerts, calling 58
Clock system 59
Range estimation 60
Scope 57
Night 67—69
Preemployment 83
Pens 24
Responsibilities 8
Specialized:
Rappellins; 74, 75
River crossing 72
Search, built-up areas,
villages 76 — 81
Swampy, areas -- 73
Suspicious 36
Tripwire (s) training:
Device, training 51
Introduction to 49
Lanes 50
Method of (10 steps) 52
Types of - 48
Veterinary supervision 23
Waterbone operations 97
Wind 41,61
Pa?e
43
43
43
43
53
69
10
4
57,58
55
56
29
36
36
36
37
35
10
76
30, 44
99
By Order of the Secretary of the Army :
Official :
VERNE L. BOWERS
Major General, United States Army
The Adjutant General
CREIGHTON W. ABRAMS
General, United States Army
Chief of Staff
Distribution :
To be distributed in accordance with DA Form 12-11 requirements for Military Dog Training
and Employment.
■d U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1973 — 49S-130/20A