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MOSUL, Iraq — Chew toys and leashes in hand, Iraqi police dog handlers and their working dogs arrived at Forward Operating Base Marez August 16 to fine tune their skill in basic obedience and explosive detection techniques.
The class is part two of initial dog training that the Iraqi police received earlier in the year. The focus for the IP's is to build a relationship with their dogs and refine basic obedience and explosive and narcotic detection techniques.
The initial training consisted of introducing the Iraqi police to working dogs as a resource, something the IP's did not have until now. In the last month, they acquired working dogs and created a K9 program to utilize these dogs in their every day working environment.
"[The IP's] have a valuable asset now. A dog's nose is so much stronger than ours," said Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Nalley, lead instructor for the program. "I can't smell explosives when I'm walking down the road. These dogs can. If the IP have something that can give them an indication that something is wrong, it can go a long way to help them out."
The IP's and their dogs both showed excitement as they began the training session with basic obedience techniques. Each IP practiced getting their dogs to sit and stay in place. When the dogs performed, they were rewarded with a rubber chew toy and praise. Both handler and dog seemed to be catching on quickly.
"I was thoroughly impressed with the way they have responded to their dogs. The dogs that they have want to be loyal and work with their handlers," said Nalley, "You can definitely tell that they are building their relationship with their dogs."
The trainers use realistic training aids and walk dog and handler through a training lane allowing them the opportunity to get hands on skills that will benefit them as they begin utilizing these dogs in their daily work.
The training is event driven. The IP handlers walk through a scenario with their dogs as the class instructor observes. As issues or key points arise, the instructor stops the handler and advises them on different techniques.
"We try to do some basic obedience and we plant some explosive training aids. We pay attention to what the dogs and handlers are doing during the training lane and give them advice on what they are doing if there are issues," said Nalley. "If there are no issues during the training, we praise the teams for doing their job well. If there is something that we need to fine tune, we'll give them the direction that they need."
For these IP's, this is the start of a long working relationship with their new best friends, the dogs. When asked why he chose to get involved with the K9 program, one of the IP handlers said that he had an affinity to dogs and felt that it would be a valuable resource to help sustain security and prevent attacks in his community.
The overall goal of the program is to have a viable K9 program in the Iraqi police that is sustainable and productive after U.S. Forces have withdrawn from Iraq.
"We want to continue our partnership with the Iraqi police so that they get the training that they need to sustain their program long after we are gone," said Nalley.
| Date Taken: | 08.18.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.18.2009 11:47 |
| Story ID: | 37650 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 161 |
| Downloads: | 155 |
This work, Iraqi Police train with their own working dogs, by SGT Christopher Kozloski, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
