192 British War Dogs 



advent of the dogs seems to have saved the situation, 

 wherever they were employed. 



It was further arranged, that an N.C.O. from each pro- 

 tection company, was to visit the War Dog School for two 

 or three days' instruction in the proper placing of the dogs, 

 in relation to the needs of his particular station, and also 

 to be taught the correct method of management. It 

 may be mentioned here, that on the correct placing and 

 management of the dogs, depends the whole success of the 

 idea. A list of regulations was carefully drawn up, based 

 on a careful study of the dogs' needs when on duty. A 

 well-trained dog will give valuable results if these regulations 

 are carried out, and not one of them can be relaxed if the 

 highest efficiency is desired from the dog. For instance, 

 the rule that the dog must be removed during the day to 

 a quiet spot to rest is an extremely important one to observe. 

 Many people imagine that dogs can be on guard during the 

 whole of the twenty-four hours, but this is not so. They 

 need sleep as much as human beings, and it is better that 

 they should have it during the day, when the property 

 can be supervised by the sentries without assistance. 

 Then the necessity of a short walk is also important, as is also 

 correct feeding and at the right time, — which is on coming 

 off duty in the morning. The result of these rules, properly 

 carried out, is, that the dog goes on duty very fresh, and 

 quite comfortable in every way. Now the placing of the 

 wires for the dogs round the areas to be guarded, requires 

 the exercise of intelligence and common sense. On one 

 occasion I found the dogs placed close up to a building 

 inside of which there was a constant roar of machinery, 

 whereby their sense of hearing was getting quite blunted. 

 In another case, the dogs had their wires placed in such 

 a way, that the only footsteps they could hear were those 



