Page 324 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
and care would be disproportionate to its working life of three to six years.
With the Specialist dogs that is, (detection of arms and explosive search dogs) size is less important but temperament and intelligence more so – and the Labrador fits the bill.
After all, if you are the guy treading carefully and prodding gingerly for mines, you want a dog beside you that is steady, unexcitable and has a professional, intelligent approach to his work.
A Mine Detection dog is taught to sit down immediately when he sniffs out a mine. He is then rewarded with a biscuit which is gone in one gulp before he is set off again stealthily searching. There is no fuss.
As Captain Tony Rossell said wryly: “A mine detection dog only ever makes one mistake.”
A Protection dog’s training takes about three months; a Specialist dog twice as long. But no matter what category, the dogs all start out with the same basic training, learning obedience and the five basic words of command – heel, sit, down, stay and come.
“Other words, like attack, leave and seek, come later” explained Captain Rossell, “and depend on category. This stage of training is just the nursery school, if you like, where they learn to learn.
“We also teach them agility. This is not circus work but an essential skill for the dog during the course of his work. The other thing they learn about here is their relationship with the trainer: he must have rapport with his dog otherwise he can’t train it.”
RAVC dog trainers train the dogs initially but towards the end of their cause they are linked up with unit handlers who also attend the school for two-week courses or three months if they are to work with a Specialist dog. By that stage, a dog pretty-well knows his job and it is often questionable who is training who?
The whole RAVC Training Centre runs to about 360 acres which allows plenty of scope for training. All training aids are real, including the mines, and where dogs are being trained to search buildings, vehicles and even trains and aircraft, these are conveniently available either on site or through the cooperation of local owners.
After a hard day’s training, the dogs return to the warmth of their kennels and the caring minis- trations of WRAC Kennel Maids. These girls, who are as devoted to their charges, help clean up the kennels and take care of the dogs’ grooming.
Cunning canine psychology is used during grooming and the dogs are always muzzled. Since this is a pleasurable experience, the dogs do not
connect the muzzle with anything unpleasant. When they need to be muzzled for any other reason, like a visit to the vet, they will not turn or fret.
Kennel Maid, Private Doreen Bunker has been at the school for 18 months and loves every minute she is working with the dogs and says she has no wish to leave:
“That’s not to say we don’t have our sad moments,” she said. “You can’t help getting attached to the dogs and it can be heart breaking when they’re posted particularly if they go overseas. You know you then won’t see them again because of the quarantine restrictions. That’s my favourite at the moment,” she said softly, pointing to a magnificent German Shepherd, lying prone and looking very sorry for himself. “His name is Cimba and I don’t think he likes being in the Army! But, he’ll be all right soon.”
Doreen is not the only Private Bunker at the school, as her husband, Paul is a trainer there. School marriages are quite common it seems, which is not surprising since at least a love of dogs is shared by all.
Of the Kennel Maids, Captain Rossell quipped: “We kid them that they arrive as grooms but leave as brides! I must say that their job is not an easy one. When these girls apply to come here, I tell them that for most of the year it is hard, physical work outdoors in all weathers. I paint the blackest picture possible, so it is only those who are really keen that come through. After all, you see, if the girls aren’t happy then it affects the dogs.”
After their rations of favourite food, Kennel Maid care and a good night’s rest, the dogs are up again and ready for another day’s training. After basic training the Protection dogs are sub-catego- rised, and training varies depending on the type of establishment they are destined to guard.
The Security dog is trained to guard installations where there is legal movement by the public. He is told to show aggression and to arrest potential malefactors, but he must not bite.
The Guard dog is used in establishments where there is a perimeter fence and no entry to unauthorised personnel. He bites. These dogs can run at 30 mph, ears back, tail out and muscles working in perfect synchronisation to effect maximum power.
The impact of his body is flattening – a man stands little chance of remaining on his feet. Once down he is held by the dogs’ jaws if struggling or paralysed with fear at the dogs’ ferocious fangs and snarling jaw. It is an awesome sight.
The Security Arm-True dog is a cross between
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