That first step out the door on the way to work is a lulu for Austria’s Special Forces Belgian Shepherd dogs. Strapped into their harnesses and onto their partners for the trip from 10,000
feet in the air to the ground below, these skydiving dogs take it at their ease as highly trained bomb sniffing dogs. Kitted out with muzzles to protect their snouts and jaws on landing, handlers say the dogs are quite calm jumping out of the plane, noting that they don’t perceive height in the way we do. Because of this difference, the dogs are much better at skydiving than most recruits, according to comments given to the Daily Mail reporter.
The NATO exercise over Norway that included special forces dogs, Operation Cold Response, brought together 8500 soldiers from 14 countries, including British Special Forces and Royal Marines assault teams, making it one of Europe’s biggest military training events. The training took place over a period of three weeks.
To get their bomb-sniffing job done, all sniffer dogs begin training in the same way, no matter what the object of the exercise may be–money, drugs, weapons, bedbugs, mold, termites, bombs, people, it’s all a game of hide-and-seek with a tasty reward to reinforce the request. Depending on the situation, handlers in the field sometimes need to reinforce and encourage the “seek” and are prepared to set the dog on the trail to success with a mock find so the dog doesn’t become discouraged and lose interest in the “game.” Only positive reinforcement methods are applied.
The dog’s handlers were quick to mention that each dog is a true special forces team member, and no team member is ever exposed to unnecessary risk.
It is remarkable that with all the technological advances, dogs are still our best hope in so many areas. I wonder, how many job titles do dogs hold, anyway? Anyone have an educated guess?
Photo credit: Central European News
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Service dogs are amazing, and their trainers are incredible too. They get attached to the dogs, and it is a risky business for all. They keep us safe, and they should be honored.
We don't do too much herding or hunting any more, but we keep finding jobs for these remarkable animals in a technological age.
It seems to me that German shepherds and their Belgian cousins are assigned really dangerous jobs in Europe. I posted a while back about members of both breeds working as police dogs in Dusseldorf; they wore blue booties to keep their feet safe from all the broken beer bottles in old town. That seemed fairly hairy to me but it's nothing compared to these high dives!
I understand what these dogs are doing … I wish they didn't have to jump out of planes to do it.
*Very* cool post! I'm always amazed at the adaptability of dogs like Belgian Shepherds etc.. to do jobs like this. Go sky diving doggies!!
Welcome, Jan and yes, it's incredible that sniffer dogs can find termites and bedbugs, as well as people and bombs–what a range! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hi, Michele! Yes, it's really something that they can take that leap without a fuss…I'd like to know what the "warm-up" exercises are that precede these giant leaps into thin air!
Thanks, Karen–I saw this photo and was in awe! These dogs are amazing, aren't they?
Yes, the GSD and cousins are well-reputed and thought to be smartest dogs there–naturlich!–and it is rather shocking to think about landing with a dog, but also puts a really big grin on my face as I shake my head and wonder what's next for dog jobs! Jeez, the Dusseldorf thing sounds too wild, and not in a good way. Hope those boots have some kind of impervious bottoms so glass doesn't pierce…I'll have to go check out your blog and find this post…sounds interesting…like everything else you have over at willmydoghateme.com ;-D
This is seriously COOL!
When I first looked at the pic, the dog looked like a pit bull (still does to me
), I was hoping. =P
I jumped out of a plane once back in my 20's, the most difficult part of that experience for me was jumping out of the plane (duh! lol), after I was out and I prayed for my chute to open . . . and it did, it was like sitting in a big swing. It was pretty neat.
It's interesting that dogs don't perceive heights the same way people do, and that they therefore have less fear than humans do of heights. I wonder if that just goes for trained dogs though.
Anyway, seriously cool post Mary! =)
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