Photo By Staff Sgt. Patricia McMurphy | Spc. Bruce Brickleff, a military working dog handler with 95th Military Police...... read more read more
Subscribe
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - He jumps, he drools and he sheds like it’s summer all year long, but this is no ordinary pup, this dog is an invaluable part of team that could one day save lives and capture dangerous criminals.
Greco, a newly-acquired military working dog, is currently being trained by his handler, Staff Sgt. Adam Serella, a military working dog handler with the 95th Military Police Detachment, 504th MP Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade. Greco is fresh from Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, where he was taught the basics, just like Soldiers in Army Basic Combat Training, and now he’s ready to learn what it means to really be a military working dog.
Serella, a seasoned handler and lead trainer for the kennels, has worked with and trained MWDs for five years and says he enjoys training new or green dogs as they are commonly referred to.
“I have seen how rewarding and also how frustrating it can be at times,” said Serella. “Just like (new) Soldiers that come pre-trained or know the basics, I prefer that. I’d rather shape and mold a new Soldier. It’s the same with dogs.”
Serella said when he found out he was getting a new dog he was so he went to work extra early that day just to meet him.
After reading Greco’s training record and some playtime in the yard, giving the two time to get to know each other, it was time for a bath.
“He smelled pretty bad, so I put him in the tub and gave him his toy to chew on, said Serella. “He just had this sad ‘why are you doing this’ look on his face.”
After the bath, Serella took Greco to his first training session.
Like new Soldiers in the Army, these dogs must practice their skills to keep them proficient. The handlers and dogs also learn to work together as a team and complete required tasks.
According to Serella, finding what makes the dogs want to work is key. For these dogs is all about the rewards.
“Unlike dogs at home, these dog don’t have toys laying around, so, all the working dogs have an extremely high desire for the toy or the reward, and we only play with that reward when they are working and after they have done a good job and have met the standard,” said Serella. “That’s their form of currency.”
To assure the standards are met, each MWD team is tested on their proficiency during annual certifications, which they must maintain to conduct their garrison missions and in order to deploy.
“Certification is a weeklong process where every aspect of our work is evaluated,” said Serella. “The standards are very strict, but they have to be. Bomb dogs can only miss one plant or hiding spot, anything more results in a failure.”
Serella says his team has to meet these strict standards because he could one day lead units on patrol in dangerous locations and even work with the secret service ensuring the safety of the POTUS.
Serella and Greco may have only been working together for six weeks, but Serella said he is confident when the time comes to test for certification, they will pass with flying colors.
“I don’t want to sound cocky, but there is no reason I can’t pass certification with him,” said Serella. “He is a good dog.”
After certification, the team can be utilized for a variety of missions on JBLM and on deployments around the world. They will also be able to add more advanced skills on top of what they already know.
An additional skill Serella is hoping to add is improving his obedience and extending the amount of time he can have Greco stay where he is told even if Serella is not in sight.
“I would like to be able to say ‘stay’ and walk away for 10 minutes then come back and him still be there, said Serella. “That is obedience, which is the basis of all dog training.”
Serella and Greco are scheduled to certify at the end of August and when they succeed, as Serella predicts, they will become an asset to JBLM and those they may serve at home or abroad.
| Date Taken: | 08.06.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2015 16:06 |
| Story ID: | 172395 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, Puppy to police dog, by SSG Patricia McMurphy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT