FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Military working dog handlers from across the area participated in the Advanced Decoy Seminar hosted on Fort Rucker, Feb. 16-18.
Tarheel Canine Training, Inc. presented the seminar designed to make handlers and dogs more effective teams.
In addition to the Fort Rucker MWD professionals, handlers from Fort Benning, Ga., Fort Campbell, Ky., Fort Seal, Okla., Fort Knox, Ky., Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Lackland AFB, Texas, Maxwell AFB, Ala., and Ozark Police Department participated in the training.
"This training is very beneficial to not only the canine but the handler as well," said Sgt. 1st Class David Cochran, 6th Military Police Detachment, MWD kennel master. "This training is part of the installation's security. Several training skills were addressed during this seminar. This seminar will better train the canine to assist any situation it is placed in."
The seminar was open to all military branches and civilian counterparts in the Wiregrass area.
Several of the MWDs and their handlers improved their confidence during the seminar.
"The decoy training used where the dog actually captures the suspect has built the Maxi's confidence tremendously," said Sgt. Donald Miller, 6th MP Det. MWD handler. "Not to mention working on the dog's obedience skills. This is something I believe myself as a handler, has benefited, because the seminar has shown me new ways to build the canine drive and to apprehend suspects."
Maxi was not the only canine that walked away with confidence.
"In the past Gustzie has had confidence issues," said Spc. James Johnson, 163rd MP Det. MWD handler, Fort Campbell, Ky. "After participating in this training, I can tell the confidence level has increased. Gustzie participated in several training sessions today and did very well when it involved the use of the confidence level. To me, that is very beneficial. Gustzie has built his confidence level up and is able to perform to the best of his ability in performing his assigned duty."
Cochran wishes to thank all who participated in the training as well as Jerry Bradshaw, Tarheel Canine Training, Inc., owner, and David Colborn, Tarheel Canine Training, Inc., training instructor.
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