Air Force Military Working Dogs

      SSgt Justin Aycock is now separated from active duty with the Air Force as a Military Working Dog trainer and handler, but in the North Carolina Air National Guard.  He was selected to be a Military Working Dog handler for part of his military career.  Eleven years of active duty in the military can teach some pretty incredible things.  Over 6 years of service spent overseas in multiple countries can lend a depth to perspective as well.  Training and handling K9s is challenging on several levels.  Justin not only excelled at working with his canines, but loved it.

Christmas day '09 after a mission with US Special Forces Team

      I did not know any of this about Justin when I approached him with my blood tracking dog.  All I knew was that he seemed completely at ease around a working dog.  In the conversations that followed, I have learned so much more about this dedicated Airman, who has been gracious enough to send multiple photos, and answer several rounds of questions.

     To become a dog handler in the Air Force, you must apply to the school.  If there is a need for more handlers at that time, you may be selected.  Once selected, the new handlers will be instructed for 12 weeks at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas.  Justin sent me a copy of the USAF K9 Training Regulations, and the document is over 200 pages long.

SSgt Aycock with Dani/D054

     Not only are handlers expected to understand all of the K9 requirements and how to train to achieve them, but they must having a working understanding of canine ethology, classical conditioning, all four quadrants of operant conditioning and the terms the Air Force uses to define all of the methods used.  Basic healthcare is expected - to physically check the dog over for general health, trim the toenails, express the anal glands if necessary, cleaning the ears, administering oral medications, and dealing with vomiting or diarrhea.

     And there is more.  Handlers must know about caring for the physical well being of their animal in serious situations.  I don't mean just checking the pulse, and for dehydration.  They must know about diseases and parasitic infections, how to treat burns, or what to do in the case of poisoning.  Handlers need to be able to administer multiple chemicals subcutaneously or intravenously, knowing how much of which and when.  They need to be able to treat bloat,  lacerations or other massive physical trauma.  They need to know how to treat their K9 until it can be brought to a veterinarian, who will NOT be in the field with them.

     There are also high standards for the dogs.  The Department of Defense selects dogs from Europe several times per year to be shipped to the Lackland AFB in Texas for training.  The dogs have 90-120 days to complete their certifications before they are shipped to their operational units.  All dogs must be trained for protection work (attack, agility and handler protection) to be suitable for patrol.  The highest demand is for dual certified K9s who also certify for explosives detection.  A dog can be disqualified for behavioral or medical issues, but those dogs are either adopted or donated to local police forces.  Dogs and handlers who succeed the challenges of training are then paired, and sent to protect our soldiers abroad.

     In other countries, dogs are viewed quite differently.  Many would give a wide berth to the K9s and their handlers, particularly in the Arab countries where dogs are kept mainly for protection, and not as family members.  In Muslim culture, dogs are seen as unclean.  When I inquired about dogs overseas, Justin said "I have never seen so many dogs before, they roam around in packs, eating trash, dead animals, whatever.  It looks like the ASPCA commercial, really sad."  The strays are usually not healthy, and are not necessarily friendly either.  Even with multiple stray dogs looking on at any given moment, a dog and handler team are still expected to operate effectively.  Lives are literally at stake.  A patrol leader as well as the handler will do everything in their power to keep their working dog safe from the diseases or any violence from the strays.

Katya/M228

     Even with all the rigorous training required, Ssgt Justin considers it well worth it.  He had 5 dogs he was paired with on various deployments not including the ones he trained with.  Justin bonded very closely with his working K9s.  I know Justin was smiling when I asked him if he also taught his working dogs tricks and games to help pass the time and have some fun.  He replied "Absolutely, usually the same things you would teach your personal dog.  I taught my third dog Katya/M228 how to speak on command [using a hand signal] while in Iraq."   He plans on continuing training working dogs after he finishes his B.A. in Criminal Justice.

     When I asked Justin how it feels to have the hands on the leash of a Military Working Dog; after a night he answered me.  "It's a feeling I can't describe, especially when you get to use your skill set on a 'hot' call at home station or a bomb sweep when deployed.  I had been a handler about 3.5 years before I deployed to Iraq, and the suspense of going out on your first mission and gearing up yourself and your dog and knowing that you may be the only thing that means the difference between getting life or death for yourself or others weighs on you."

January 2010: Weapons search at a market near Diwaniyah, Iraq

     The five dogs Ssgt Justin Aycock worked closest with are listed below.  For more details on Justin's training history click here.

          MWD Dani/D054 - Explosive Detection/Patrol

          MWD Ciba/H181- Patrol

          MWD Katya/M228 - Explosive Detection/Patrol

          MWD Bartje/L243 - Narcotic Detection/ Patrol

          MWD Charis/K106 - Narcotics Detection

     As we were wrapping up the interviews, I asked Justin if there was anything else he felt was important to share about him and his career in the Air Force.  He asked that I share two organizations' websites.  These two organizations support Military Working Dog teams all over the world.  Please take a moment to check them out!


   The US War Dogs Organization  www.uswardogs.org 

     The John Burnam Memorial Foundation  www.jbmf.us/index.aspx

     To close, I will leave you all with some of his own words that resonated with me, and really made me feel his passion for his continuing career with working dogs:

 "...seeing the product of your training, it's very satisfying to see your dog perform on a task that you have trained for.  Very few jobs that I have had offered that.  You may be having a rough day but once you leash up and start training you have to be on top of your game..."  

I just met you, and this is crazy.....

     I had a person ask me this morning "Do you have a blog on dog etiquette? Specifically when people go to a house with dogs and when people have children and the dog goes to it's [place]."

Roxy the Malamute

     There are so many elements that can be addressed with this issue!  I will try to focus on what a careful owner can do to keep their dog secure.

     I used to think not touching strange dogs was a "No-brainer" until I reached adulthood and began taking my dogs with me to places.  People I have never met have walked or run directly up and tried to pet or hug my dog.  I have learned to create safe areas in my home where my dogs can go to relax and guests are not allowed to invade.  In public I have learned to be willing to stand up for myself, and teach people how to respect dog's space.  Unfortunately, some lessons I have learned have been through trial and error.  By sharing, hopefully you all can benefit from my experiences in the past.

       To start: It is my responsibility as a caring pet owner to preserve my animals' trust in me.  To allow an animal to be put in a situation that could cause a growl, snap or bite can have devastating consequences emotionally and legally.  As a sentient being I expect to not be fondled by complete strangers.  I insist on the same respect for my dogs.

     At my home, I control the environment.  If my dogs are asleep, do not bother them.  Just because me and my husband can, does not mean I expect them to tolerate it from strangers.  If I see signs of stress in my dogs I allow them to go to their designated safe areas.   Not all dogs want to be overly affectionate with strangers.  Both of my dogs have been Therapy tested (and passed).  This does not mean I expect them to make out with total strangers all the time.  Even Therapy Dogs need time to relax!  It is my job to oversee any interactions to be sure my pups are behaving, not crowding, barking or jumping on my guests.  It is also my duty to be sure my guests are being polite and not teasing or hurting my dogs (I have found small children have quite a "pinch" when they grasp things).

     One of the safe areas for my pups is in a spare bedroom where I will close the door to make my intentions clear.  There is no reason for a guest to be wandering into our bedrooms unaccompanied, thus it ensures my dogs do not become stressed when people come over, since they have seen it demonstrated repeatedly that they have a safe haven.  It can also avoid awkward conversations with folks who are not very dog savvy.  I have had guests over who do not even realize that there are multiple dogs in the household.

Luca the American Eskimo Dog

     When in public, a person should ALWAYS ask to pet.  No exceptions.  My dogs have a strong foundation in basic obedience before they are allowed in public, so when I stop moving, they stop with me.  For the people who run up to my dogs, I will literally move in front and block the person (if needed, I put my hand up extended in the classic "STOP" open palm).  If they do not recall their manners, I will prompt them with a friendly "Did you want to ask to pet my dogs?"  If they appear young, I insist they retrieve their parents first.  If they are inattentive or rude I will not allow them to touch my dogs.

     So often as dog handlers we forget we have the freedom to walk away.  I worked with a gal years ago who allowed a polite young child to pet her dog.  The child began playing with her male dog's er..... nether part.  The parent was nowhere to be seen.  Thank goodness her dog is so tolerant (the gal is an excellent handler), but situations like this can mostly be prevented, and if not, managed.  Don't feel obligated to allow someone to do something to your dog that makes you feel uncomfortable (I am referring to an acquaintance or stranger here, not your Veterinarian).  If you are uncomfortable saying "No" or "Stop" blatantly, you can always just leave hurriedly explaining that you forgot you had an appointment (I have used that one myself).

     Lastly, try to be patient with people.  Each interaction is an opportunity to educate.  My own family did not understand at first why I sometimes seemed to "hide my dogs from them".  Before I met my former mentor, I did not really have a concept of a "Working Dog" other than a dog who serves in the Military or guides the blind.  Pass some knowledge on if you can, and you could make the world a safer place for dogs.