MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. -- Sometimes they’re at the front gate, sometimes they’re in the barracks, sometimes they’re deployed overseas, but they’re always on the alert and on the job.
Comprised of seven dogs and eight Marines, the K9 unit aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow are a force to be reckoned with. Whether a task involves explosives, narcotics or a fleeing suspect, the K9 unit has a dog that’s right for the job.
Dogs have been used in the military since March 1942 in the Army’s “K9 Corps”. During the earliest installments of dogs on the battlefield, they were used to search for wounded troops, send messages and scout for enemies. In Vietnam, dogs are claimed to have saved the lives of nearly 10,000 service members. Like Marines, before military working dogs can begin their service in the military, they must be taught discipline.
Discipline begins at day one, said Sgt. Jason Dorman, kennel master. “It is essential when dealing with the dogs. We wouldn’t want one of our dogs to bite onto a suspect and not let go.”
To teach discipline, military working dog trainers use a range of techniques including both positive and negative reinforcement.
“When the dog does something good, we give him a toy and plenty of positive feedback, like petting him and talking excitedly to him,” said Cpl. Jason Martinez, MWD handler.
“Which toy they get depends on what they react best to. Some dogs like different toys than other dogs, and we give them the toy they like best.” If a dog is unresponsive, or does not act as instructed, handlers are taught a series of gradually escalating correction techniques.
“We start with a verbal correction, yelling ‘no!’ then move to a louder, harsher verbal correction,” said Martinez. “If the dog is unresponsive, a choke collar may be used to correct him.”
Once discipline is established and training completed, working dogs are ready to begin using their skills to benefit the military.
One of the most useful tasks for the working dog is capturing a suspect, said Martinez. Because dogs run faster than humans, it is hard for them to be outrun.
“The average running speed of a military working dog is 35 miles per hour,” said Martinez. “I don’t know anyone who can run faster than that.”
For a working dog, the capture doesn’t stop when the suspect is on the ground.
Dogs are also used to watch suspects as they are being searched and to guard a suspect against further escape by escorting them.
A working dog’s usefulness does not end with the ability to capture and escort suspects. Their most often used skill is the ability to sniff out illegal substances or explosives.
“In addition to the standard bite and capture techniques, each dog is also trained in either narcotics or explosives detection,” said Dorman.
The number of smell receptors in a dog’s nose is more than 25 times the number found in a human nose, said Dorman.
“When a human walks into a burger restaurant, they just smell burgers,” explained Dorman. “When a dog walks in, they can smell the meat, cheese, lettuce and tomato.”
The dogs not only protect and search MCLB Barstow, but they also provide support for many local and federal law enforcement agencies, said Dorman. “The dogs at MCLB Barstow support organizations such as the Secret Service, Barstow Police Department, Fort Irwin and American Border Patrol among others. Along with that, they also deploy to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.”
The dogs love their job, said Dorman. They work hard, but they get plenty of love and affection from their handler as well.
Editor’s note: Information for this article was also acquired from the Quartermaster’s War Dog Web site at http://www.qmfound.com/K-9.htm.