3. Make any move or gesture which a 

 mine and tunnel dog may interpret as a threat 

 to its handler. Although not specifically trained 

 to defend their handlers, most mine and tunnel 

 dogs develop a protective attitude toward them. 



(6) When taking cover, patrol members 

 must never jump on top of or too close to a mine 

 and tunnel dog or its handler because the dog 

 may react defensively. 



(7) Integrate the team fully into the tactical 

 unit to include participation in inspections and 

 rehearsals in order to — 



(a) Thoroughly familiarize the handler 

 with the entire plan of operation. 



(6) Help familiarize the dog with the 

 scents of individual patrol members and with 

 the sounds and motions of the patrol. 



(c) Help familiarize unit members with 

 the team's methods of operation. 



(d) Insure that the team is properly pre- 

 pared; for example, the handler camouflages 

 himself and his equipment and tapes or wraps 

 metal parts of the dog's working harness to eli- 

 minate unnecessary noise. 



(e) Insure proper support for the team; 

 for example, designation, if required, of unit 

 members to carry extra water and/or food for the 

 dog and assignment of one or more patrol mem- 

 Section II. TYPES 



114. Employment of Mine and Tunnel Dog 

 Teams During Movement 



a. Generally, the best position for the mine 

 and tunnel dog team is directly in front of the 

 patrol. The team moves ahead of the patrol or 

 screening element, keeping on the assigned di- 

 rection of movement. Wind conditions may dic- 

 tate that the team move on the windward side of 

 the route of advance to take maximum advantage 

 of the dog's senses of smell and hearing. 



b. On a reconnaissance or combat patrol where 

 infiltration of hostile lines is desired the mine 

 and tunnel dog can be useful in alerting friendly 

 forces to locations of enemy minefields or booby- 

 traps. 



c. On all patrol actions one member of the 

 patrol should be assignedjthe mission of protect- 

 ing the handler and dog. 



d. The distance at which the dog may alert 

 depends on the weather and terrain. It may be 

 50 meters or it may be 3 feet. Once the dog alerts 

 the handler should signal the patrol to halt (usu- 

 ually by getting down), and wait for the patrol 



bers to provide the team security while it is 

 working. 



/. Before an operation the mine and tunnel 

 dog handler will — 



(1) Brief the tactical unit on the team's 

 capabilities and limitations, the temperament of 

 the dog, and any items of special interest per- 

 taining to the team. 



(2) Explain and demonstrate the team's 

 various methods of . operation (as pertinent to 

 the tasks to be performed). 



(3) Scent-familiarize the dog with each 

 unit member. 



(4) Allow men who have not previously 

 worked with mine and tunnel dogs, particularly 

 those who are apprehensive, to touch and stroke 

 the dog to show them they need not fear it. 



g. It is in the commander's interest that the 

 mine and tunnel dogs available to him are fami- 

 liar with every known device or object(s) his 

 unit may encounter. Although the dogs receive 

 continuous daily maintenance training when 

 not on missions, the handler's access to these 

 items is limited. A good practice is for supported 

 units to provide, when possible, samples of 

 any new or different device encountered in the 

 field so that the dogs become familiar with them. 



OF EMPLOYMENT 



leader to move up (on the side opposite the dog) 

 to receive information on the alert. If contact is 

 to be made, the handler, instead of moving at 

 the patrol's rear, should simply remain in place 

 to allow the patrol to pass through his position; 

 then he falls in at the rear. This procedure elim- 

 inates unnecessary movement and risk to the 

 mine and tunnel dog team and to patrol members. 

 In the event that a firefight develops, and the 

 team is at the point position, it should remain in 

 place. When possible, it should move to the center 

 of the patrol or to a position which would least 

 interfere with the patrol's fire. 



e. The most ideal conditions for working a 

 mine and tunnel dog are found in sparsely in- 

 habited areas with few distractions. 



1 15. Employment of Mine and Tunnel Dog 

 Teams With Mechanized Units 



Pending the final development of electronic re- 

 mote control equipment (and doctrine for its 

 employment), employment of mine and tunnel 

 dog teams with mechanized infantry will be re- 



69 



