It's a dog's life

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rae Perry
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Military working dogs help keep service members safe at home and abroad. Although they are used for protection, the canine members of the 4th Security Forces Squadron are allowed play time like other members of the active duty force.
 
Just like the Airmen on base, the canines have physical training requirements. The MWDs must make a daily run through the base obstacle course. However, the training managers here encourage handlers to have their partners run the course multiple times a day. Running the course and playing fetch helps build the bond between dog and handler. When each part of the team knows one another, they can perform their job to the best of their ability.

The handlers here help make their four-legged bomb and drug sniffers' lives more dog-like. The dogs are rewarded and get exercise through games of fetch, a run through the obstacle course or play time with an aggression ball, a hard plastic ball that is too big to fit in their mouth.

Despite their cuddly appearance, in an instant these playful animals can grab someone by the arm and hold them until their handler or another security forces Airman is able to restrain a suspect, so do not approach them without their handler's permission.