|
A lot of interesting trials were performed during the time I was stationed (1991-1998) at the Armed Forces Dog instruction Center. On this page I’ll tell a little bit about them.
 One of the most interestning research that was conducted was in the late 80’s. The Swedish Armed Forces toghether with The Swedish Rescue Service Agency, The National Swedish Police Board, The Swedish Defence Research Agency wanted to see if the dogs had the capabilities to detect all existing explosives in the world. The definition of explosives are here refered to the pure molecule in the explosive, for instance; 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene/TNT, cyclonite/RDX.
The conclusions from this research was gratifying!
Dogs have the capability to detect all of the different explosive molecules but they have to be trained to recognize them first. After that no problems!
With all information gained from all the research done concerning mine detection dogs capabilities we started to change routines in the training with our tracking dogs.
In the beginning of the basic training we started out with, what we thought, were easy tracking for the dogs. The trails were approx. twenty to thirty minutes old when we started out the basic trail exercise.
From what we experienced in the mine detection dog research and development we changed mode of thinking. We wanted to have the dogs to be methodical and calm while following the scent. We wanted these type of dogs to be very accurate in following an enemy with no rush. The main task for the group pursuing the enemy is to report their own location, the bearing they are heading.
|
