RetrieverTraining.Net - the RTF banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Rocky The Marine Corps Bomb Dog!

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 26 Posts

Stephen Whitley

· Registered
Joined
·
950 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have been on "vacation" from the retriever games for about a year now. I had a yellow male SH, Rocky, that I had to sell to a pro last year and he ended up getting a couple of master passes. Part of the agreement was that I would get a puppy off of Rocky if his hips turned out okay and was able to be bred. I received an email from the pro last week telling me that the Marine Corps had shown a lot of interest in Rocky and he was sold to them with the intentions to be trained for bomb detection in Afghanistan!!!! So now Rocky is a Marine!! Is there a title for that...lol. I have some mild mixed emotions, but I am glad he will possibly be saving lives in his new line of business. He was bred a couple of months ago and the puppies were born last week. I had my heart set on a black male. There were 9 pups born. 8 of them were yellow and there was 1 black dog. A MALE - the oddball!! This must be some sort of sign or something! I always had a strong connection to Rocky and I didn't get to see him before he left. BUT, I feel like this puppy is a gift from him letting me know that everything is going to be okay and he in some way forgives me. So, I am extremely excited these days. Hopefully, I will have a picture soon. Here is the breeding if anyone is bored and wants to take the time to check it out.

Sire - Put Me In Coach V SH - SR37999705
Dam - Weller's Angel of Mercy - SR29269504
 
#2 ·
I was lucky to hunt and train with Rocky. Full of energy and always ready to go. I'm glad you got a pup off of him Stephen! Maybe I'll get to see him train and hunt also. I'm sure Rocky will be a great addition to the Marine Corp!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#4 ·
Stephen if Rocky progresses in the Corp you may end up having to salute him. Thanks for you and your dogs sacrifice and service to our troops.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#9 ·
Out of curiosity, why do they start with a dog that already has been trained to do somethign else to train them to detect bombs?

I would think they may look to the FT/HT dogs for the genetics of good noses, but would want to start fresh with a pup.....
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#11 ·
limiman12 said:
Out of curiosity, why do they start with a dog that already has been trained to do somethign else to train them to detect bombs?

I would think they may look to the FT/HT dogs for the genetics of good noses, but would want to start fresh with a pup.....
Click to expand...
I've been told it's all about prey drive and handling ability...the ability to control the dog in a deadly dangerous situation.

kg
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
limiman12 said:
Out of curiosity, why do they start with a dog that already has been trained to do somethign else to train them to detect bombs?

I would think they may look to the FT/HT dogs for the genetics of good noses, but would want to start fresh with a pup.....
Click to expand...
Intelligence and handling ability. From what I understand, they pay different amounts depending on the dog and what type of and how much training he/she has had...just like some folks buy a started dog for more than what a puppy would cost. With a dog like Rocky, or any other dog you folks own, they are going to have to make him NOT want to go after birds, and focus his drive on whatever a bomb smells like. They are going to have to take away or diminish his prey drive to a point. All I can say is good luck with that!!! And he is also going to have to lay down once he smells what he is looking for instead of doing the complete opposite of what he has been doing up to this point in his life, ie. belly slides to the bird, flips from not being able to stop soon enough etc. I don't like to think about that part of it.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Correct, They want the dogs to be socialized and have at least basic obedience. They evaluate the dogs personality, prey drive, and controlability from there. Its one thing to find the bomb (like finding the duck they all can eventually do that) its another to find it, act properly to get the reward, and save someones life. The men and women of law enforcement and the military depend on them daily. They need to be the best......
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#14 ·
limiman12 said:
Out of curiosity, why do they start with a dog that already has been trained to do somethign else to train them to detect bombs?

I would think they may look to the FT/HT dogs for the genetics of good noses, but would want to start fresh with a pup.....
Click to expand...

They want dogs that can handle.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#15 ·
So why not start with a dog, foster it to a home(1st leutentan twith a desk job) or whatever to put through OB and what not, I understand the "wanting a dog to handle" but I would think it would be a easier task to teach a dog that it is looking for a cetain smell and to behave than to reprogram a dog that has had prey drive instilled so hard......

What happens if they stuff a bomb inside a duck? a semi serious question of course but I have been told that to train a dog to hunt sheds you can only play fetch with it with sheds, otherwise it will always be wanting to search for birds..... I would think that it would be the same type of deal here, very difficult to take hunt out of a dog that already knows how fun it can be.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#16 ·
So terry, would you want your drug dog to also be a pheasent dog, out searching a property for illegal drugs and the dog gets birdy????

If I am not mistaken the law enforcement dogs come from a specific breeding program and are handled in a certain program from 2-3 days old, weed out the ones that don't work and train the rest.....

You would obviously know more on that than me.

BTW, go Rocky, and it is way cool.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#17 ·
They called a lot of RTF folks looking for IED dogs. Basically send / handle the dog on a line the vehicle will take.
Once the ********* figure it out , there will be decoy IEDs set out short to take out the dog , or snipers ,or something to take out the dogs .
Bottom line - These dogs will save lives . Sadly , at the expense of the dogs life .I opted not to sell mine to them .We had bonded already . Maybe a pup. maybe .
 
#18 ·
The dogs I worked with in Afghanistan were trained from the age of 6 to 8 months old that is weird that they took a title holding dog, but i wont put anything past the military they have their reasons.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#19 ·
limiman12 said:
Out of curiosity, why do they start with a dog that already has been trained to do somethign else to train them to detect bombs?

I would think they may look to the FT/HT dogs for the genetics of good noses, but would want to start fresh with a pup.....
Click to expand...
Because they already know the dog has the ability to learn, health already assesed and personality set. Also, the added assest that they know directionals (ie knows how to handle) is a definite plus.

Most trainers don't want to start training a puppy but usually wait until they are 18 months old.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#20 ·
John Kelder said:
They called a lot of RTF folks looking for IED dogs. Basically send / handle the dog on a line the vehicle will take.
Once the ********* figure it out , there will be decoy IEDs set out short to take out the dog , or snipers ,or something to take out the dogs .
Bottom line - These dogs will save lives . Sadly , at the expense of the dogs life .I opted not to sell mine to them .We had bonded already . Maybe a pup. maybe .
Click to expand...
You're right on what they want, but you can't say for certain these dogs are going to lose their lives just like that. They already have dogs down there doing work, so it's not new. They are spending a lot of time and money on these dogs, they will do their best to protect them.

Kris
 
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
About this Discussion
25 Replies
17 Participants
Last post:
Fowlfeller1100
RetrieverTraining.Net - the RTF
posts
1.5M
members
36K
Since
2003
A forum community dedicated to retriever owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, training, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Retriever Training Forum Event Information AKC Field Trials Equipment, Gear & Miscellaneous Classifieds Training