258 British War Dogs 



In exposed sectors under enemy observation. 



When technical means of communication fail. 



When the telephone is not to be used from danger 

 of tapping. 

 Its employment is suitable as a permanent communication 

 between two fixed points, e.g., the Commander of front- 

 line troops and battle headquarters of a regiment, regi- 

 mental battle headquarters and telephone exchange, an 

 O.P. of an important formation and telephone exchange, 

 or between a fixed and moving point, e.g., the leader of a 

 raid and an advancing patrol. 



Messenger dogs may also be used in cable-laying, and 

 in sending forward carrier-pigeons, ammunition and 

 rations. 



A dog must be accustomed at practice to all disturbances 

 that are likely to arise under service conditions, e.g., diffi- 

 culties of the ground, battle noises, etc. Unusual disturb- 

 ances, e.g., the smell of a bitch on heat, painful wounds and 

 drum-fire, may, nevertheless, cause the animal to refuse 

 to work. 



A dog must run its message route two or three times a 

 day. This must be done for practice, even when there 

 is no occasion for sending information. Too frequent 

 running without a rest exhausts a dog and makes its work 

 untrustworthy. Even when a dog has finished its training, 

 it must continually have further practice. Therefore, 

 when the unit is at rest, attendant files should be given 

 opportunities of exercising the dogs as part of their duty 

 (general training and practice journeys). 



The efficiency of a dog mainly depends on the choice of 

 Us attendants and their special instruction. Faulty treat- 

 ment very speedily lessens the efficiency of the animals. 



