Mine Detection Dogs At Work
By Stacy L. Smith, MAIC

History of War and Mine Detection Dogs

Through extensive training in scouting, detection, and search and rescue (SAR), military working dogs have proven to be valuable assets to the defense and safety of many countries.

Since World War II, the U.S. military has deployed over 30,000 dogs in the aid of soldiers. In 1943, the Germans attempted to deter Allied troops from North Africa by placing nonmetallic mines in the ground. The British quickly found a method for counteracting the Germans’ strategic move with the help of “M-dogs” trained to detect mines encased in plastic or wood. The United States soon followed with the implementation of a mine dog detection program with over 100 dogs and 120 handlers assigned to a mine detection unit under the 228th Engineer Mine Detection Company at the Cat Island Dog Center (Lemish). Deployed in 1944, the dogs were initially unsuccessful in locating mines in Algeria and Italy. Key factors included a lack of training to prepare the dogs for loud sounds such as artillery or small-arms fire.

“Like other crash programs instituted during the war, the M-dog program was hastily conceived without sufficient background knowledge to implement the program—finding bones is entirely different from locating an explosive mine” (Lemish).

U.S. efforts to maintain the mine dog detection program did not resurface again until the Vietnam War. After conducting a feasibility study in 1967, the U.S. Army Limited Warfare Laboratory (USALWL) determined that improved training methods and advanced techniques would resolve problems occurring during mine detection dog (MDD) deployment in World War II. Instead of using fear motivation or food rewards to promote successful detection, the USALWL elected to use positive reinforcement. As a result, MDDs performed at a high success rate in Vietnam, locating mines, trip wires and booby traps.

MDDs accompany deminers both in the field and on the way to the field. c/o Martin Weitkamp

Mine Detection Dogs Today

Today, MDDs are used worldwide in mine-afflicted countries to locate and detect UXO/landmines remaining from internal and external conflicts. After intensive training, MDDs are able to assist in demining and clearance efforts efficiently and effectively with a proven success rate. Following is a brief description of companies and organizations specializing in MDD training and deployment.

Mechem Engineering Services

In South Africa, Mechem, a local company and division of Denel’s Systems Group, is clearing much of the country’s mine-infested areas. Mechem uses the latest demining technology to remove mines inexpensively and efficiently.

MDDs are used in the Mechem Explosive and Drug Detection System (Medds). The system uses vapor concen-trations and the nasal sensitivity of demining dogs to uncover traces of chemicals from explosives. This system can be used for detecting both metallic and non-metallic explosive devices.

In March 2001, Mechem will begin demining operations in Mozambique with a crew of 16 men and eight MDDs. The crew will work towards locating and removing approximately 2 million mines left over from internal conflicts between the Frelimo government and Renamo rebels. Operations are expected to last until October 2001.

Contact Information

Kip Shultz, Senior MDD Advisor
Mechem Engineering Services
P.O. Box 912-454
Silverton 0127
Pretoria, South Africa
Tel: +27 12 826 506883
Fax: +27 12 808 3533
E-mail: mecdoc@mechem.denel.co.za

Swedish Armed Forces Dog Instruction Center

The Swedish Armed Forces Dog Instruction Center trains dogs specifically for the situation in which they will perform. For example, dogs needed to rescue personnel from mine field accidents in Bosnia are trained for conditions and situations they are likely to encounter in the country.

MDDs from the Swedish Armed Forces Dog Instruction Center are currently working in Cambodia, Kuwait, Lebanon, and the Western Sahara. Operations are often accomplished in collaboration with local mine action organizations who provide background information and region-specific project details. In cooperation with the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC), MDDs have been very successful in eliminating the dangers of UXO/landmines found in Cambodian mine fields.

Contact Information

Peter Soderberg, Director
Swedish Armed Forces Dog Instruction Center
Box 100
146 22 Tullinge
Tel: +46 8 778 00 32
Fax: +46 8 607 35 14
E-mail: fhtc-international@postbox.mil.se
Website: http://www.mil.se/ovrigt/fhtc/explosive.htm

An MDD surveys the landscape. c/o Martin Weitkamp

Humanity Dog

Since the 1940s, Humanity Dog has trained MDDs in order to aid humanitarian demining efforts. Each year approximately 100 dogs are trained and deployed to locate and identify landmines, mercury, PCB and drugs. Demining dogs trained by Humanity Dog can detect mines at depths of 50 cm, in paths 2-3 cm wide and in low-level concentrations.

MDDs undergo rigorous training in scent analysis. Trained dogs can detect both single substances and combinations of substances used to create landmines.

Training is conducted for both dogs and dog handlers through the Mine Detection Dog Handler Training Programme. Dogs and dog handlers are paired and taught together to ensure a working relationship between each team. MDDs are required to complete 15 months of basic training and 12 months of specialized training before taking a comprehensive exam for fieldwork eligibility. During specialized training, MDDs also complete three weeks of training designed to acclimate MDDs to their new surroundings. Environmental training allows dogs to adjust to the density and smell of the soil. In addition, some dogs require two days of ground adaptation training in areas where the clearance soil fluctuates.

Contact Information

Anders Bruse, CEO
Humanity Dog
50
S-122 88 Enskede
Sweden
Tel: +46(0) 8-39 90 00
Fax: +46(0) 8-39 94 39
E-mail: anders.bruse@hundskolan.se
Website: http://www.humanitydog.se/company.htm

RONCO Consulting Corporation

RONCO works under a U.S. Department of State Humanitarian Demining Program Office contract. RONCO’s current mine detection initiatives that utilized MDDs include participation in the Mozambique Mine Detection Dog Program and the Thailand Mine Detecting Dog Center.

In addition, the RONCO Team assisted in an international effort after Hurricane Mitch wreaked havoc on Central America in 1998. In Central America, 12 teams comprised of six dogs and six dog handlers demined bridge abutments and river crossings.

Contact Information

Ronald Boyd, President
RONCO Consulting Corporation
2301 M Street, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20037
Tel: (202) 785-2791
Fax: (202) 785-2078
E-mail: roncowash@aol.com
Website: http://www.roncoconsulting.com

The training period ends with MDD leading the trainer. c/o Martin Weitkamp

Police Dog Institute for Consultancy and Management

In 1995, the Police Dog Institute for Consultancy and Management (POLDICAM) began training dogs to combat and detect crime. Using the latest training techniques, POLDICAM trains dogs for deployment in detecting explosives, landmines and narcotics. In addition, POLDICAM also trains dogs for personal protection, patrol and apprehension, arson detection, crime prevention, and SAR.

According to POLDICAM director Stan Gillham, approximately 15 dogs are trained each year for mine detecting purposes. The dogs are carefully selected for drive and scent abilities, and POLDICAM uses imprinting to train MDDs to recognize scents specific to explosive devices or UXO.

Currently, POLDICAM has seven operating MDD teams consisting of a matched dog and handler. Most of these teams are working in Northern Mozambique, clearing fields at a rate of 10,000 sq. m per day. Gillham explains that mine detection teams like the ones trained at POLDICAM are “able to expedite area reduction for landmines” and work towards the goal of using “properly trained dogs as an important aid in policing.”

Contact Information

Stan Gillham, Director
POLDICAM
P.O. Box 73768
Lynwood Ridge 0040
Pretoria, South Africa
Tel: +27 12 651 3888
Fax: +27 12 651 1555
E-mail: poldicam@yebo.co.za

Global Training Academy

The Global Training Academy was founded in 1984 and specializes in training dogs to detect narcotics and explosives as well as assist in police patrol, tracking and SAR procedures. Global Training Academy director Dan Hayter said MDDs are a valuable asset to mine detection and removal. “The dogs’ ability to cover a large amount of ground in a short period of time with great accuracy is a plus,” he said, “[and] the [dogs’] ability to detect plastic mines when metal detectors are ineffective is even more important.”

The Global Training Academy has the capacity to train 30-36 dogs per year in mine detection. In 2001, 18 dogs will be trained for deployment in Lebanon, Oman and Thailand. In addition, the Academy currently has dog teams working in ten countries: Mozambique, Rwanda, Bosnia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Croatia, Namibia, Thailand and Afghanistan. These dog teams often work with the host country’s military in mine clearance operations.

Contact Information

Dan Hayter, Director
Global Training Academy
P.O. Box 445
Somerset, TX 78069
Tel: (210) 622-9460
Fax: (830) 429-3122
E-mail: Gtaden@aol.com

Weitkamp and his German Shepard in front of M-Detect’s training facility in Ascheberg, Germany. c/o Weitkamp c/o Malinda Julien

M-Detect

M-Detect, a mine dog training facility in Germany, specializes in training MDDs for mine detection operations in mine-affected countries. Each year, M-Detect trains and deploys approximately eight dogs. This year, MDDs are being trained for deployment in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. Martin Weitkamp, director of M-Detect, said MDDs are “an important part of the international demining toolbox” if used as quality assurance in unknown areas. Weitkamp adds that dogs should not be used in a known mine field in place of deminers or demining machinery but in unknown areas where sweeping the fields with an MDD is faster and more efficient.

Contact Information

Martin Weitkamp, Director
M-Detect
Munsterstrasse 13
D-59387 Ascheberg
Germany
Tel: +49-2599-92-5207
Fax: +49-2599-92-5295
E-mail: wd-weitkamp@t-online.de
Website: http://www.securatec.de

Conclusion

MDDs are an effective means for mine clearance operations worldwide. With proper training from mine dog companies and organizations, MDDs employed in mine-infested countries return successful results. Their driven success continues to be an asset to countries in times of need.