1st LEB dog training with support of ACU-5

Photo By Sgt. April Price | A Marine with 1st Law Enforcement Battalion eases his working dog before going out to sea on a Landing Craft Air Cushion during recent training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif. The dogs practiced search and attack procedures Feb. 12. This training, supported by Assault Craft Unit 5, was conducted in an effort to familiarize Marines and their dogs with LCAC travel, while evaluating how well they can work after its flight.  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

02.12.2015

Story by Lance Cpl. April Price 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - The relationship between a military working dog and its handler truly epitomizes the saying “man’s best friend.” The dog’s loyalty and obedience to its handler is crucial in any search or attack scenario, regardless of the environment.

Military working dogs and Marines with 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force participated in Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) training Feb. 12, at the Assault Craft Unit 5 (ACU-5) area of north of Del Mar aboard Camp Pendleton, California, in an effort to familiarize and examine Marines and their dogs with the LCAC while evaluating how well they can work after its flight.

Sergeant Daneil Godina, a military dog handler with 1st LE Bn. and his black Labrador Retriever, Moxie, were one of 10 dog-teams to participate.

“If we’re ever overseas or deployed in these LCACS and we hit the shore, we have to use our dogs for explosives detection,” said Godina. “If we want to do that effectively, we need to make sure they’re used to being on the LCAC and ready to do so.”

Building a strong bond and confidence with their four-legged partners is vital. Conducting training in a unique atmosphere such as the LCACs tests the team’s durability in stressful and unfamiliar situations.

Even the most prepared working dog can get a bit shaken from experiencing new conditions. Sergeant Edgar E. Ramirez’s dog, Idol, was noticeably nervous riding in the loud, shifting hover craft.

“Last week, training was our first time on a LCAC together, and he was fine with boarding the LCAC, but as soon as the fans were enabled, he became unsteady,” said Ramirez, “Idol was a bit flustered when we hit the beach and was definitely tense and anxious when initiating the search scenario, but then realized it was something he was familiar with and loosened up.”

From dealing with their dog in previous trainings, handlers can recognize when their partner is anxious and tend to reassure and comfort them until the dogs feel comfortable enough to commence training.

Training, such as this, aids with sharpening and honing skills, but overall preparing mission readiness.

• Date Taken: 02.12.2015
• Date Posted: 02.13.2015 17:28
• Story ID: 154512
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US