Dogs On Duty

Documents the contributions of specially trained military dogs, profiling noteworthy canine heroes while covering such topics as how they are trained and what happens to them when they retire.

Describes the ways in which dogs are bred and trained for such careers as livestock guardian, herder, helper for the disabled, sled-puller, and entertainer.

A leading reporter offers a tour of military working dogs' extraordinary training, heroic accomplishments, and the lasting impacts they have on those who work with them. People all over the world have been riveted by the story of Cairo, the Belgian Malinois who was a part of the Navy SEAL team that led the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound. A dog's natural intelligence, physical abilities, and pure loyalty contribute more to our military efforts than ever before. You don't have to be a dog lover to be fascinated by the idea that a dog-the cousin of that furry guy begging for scraps under your table-could be one of the heroes who helped execute the most vital and high-tech military mission of the new millennium. Now Maria Goodavage, editor and featured writer for one of the world's most widely read dog blogs, tells heartwarming stories of modern soldier dogs and the amazing bonds that develop between them and their handlers. Beyond tales of training, operations, retirement, and adoption into the families of fallen soldiers, Goodavage talks to leading dog-cognition experts about why dogs like nothing more than to be on a mission with a handler they trust, no matter how deadly the IEDs they are sniffing, nor how far they must parachute or rappel from aircraft into enemy territory. "Military working dogs live for love and praise from their handlers," says Ron Aiello, president of the United States War Dogs Association and a former marine scout dog handler. "The work is all a big game, and then they get that pet, that praise. They would do anything for their handler." This is an unprecedented window into the world of these adventurous, loving warriors.

A resource on service dogs includes an overview of assistance dogs, and information on deciding to get a dog, team training, the access a service dog provides, veterinarians, routine home healthcare, illness and retirement of a service dog, coping with the death of dog, successor dogs, and puppy raisers.

In 1953, there were zero canine programs on any American police force. In 1989, there were more than 2,000 programs with over 7,000 police handler dog teams. In 1953, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police had the nation's only program with 20 teams but in 1989 there were 46 programs with 300 teams. These are dramatic program expansions. There have been controversial issues of using dogs; the pros and cons of using dogs for specialized functions are thoroughly analyzed in this book. Clearly identified are the elements to be assessed as a prelude to implementing a canine patrol unit, with the essential features critical to a unit's organization, operation, and ultimate success.

A book of guidance and advice about how to become a Therapy Dog team. It contains the tips and tricks the author has learned in a decade of Therapy Dog work. If you're ready to become a Therapy Dog team but are hesitant to dive into the unknown and just want someone to be there to guide you along the way, this book is for you. If you've always been a little curious what Therapy Dog work was all about and why people do it, this book is for you. If you're a trainer, veterinarian, groomer, or other dog professional who has people asking them about Therapy Dog work but you've had no idea how to help them find answers, this book is for you.

WATCH DOGS: THEIR TRAINING AND MANAGEMENT. By Lieut.-Col. E.H. Richardson. A VINTAGE DOG BOOKS CLASSIC REPRINT. Originally published in 1923, this extremely scarce early work on Guard Dogs is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. VINTAGE DOG BOOKS have republished it, using the original text and photographs, as part of their CLASSIC BREED BOOKS series. The author was Commandant of the British War Dog School during the Great War and was also responsible for several other books on War Dogs. Although he was familiar with the training and management of many different breeds, he will always be strongly associated with his favoured breed, the Airedale Terrier. The book's three hundred and sixteen pages contain sixteen Detailed chapters and are well illustrated with vintage photographs. The Story of the Watch-Dog. The Necessity for a Watch-Dog. Uses of a Watch-Dog. Purchasing a Dog. Training Dogs. Feeding, Exercising and Grooming. A Dog on its Travels. Breeding Dogs and Rearing Pups. The Dog's Health. Kenneling. Man-Tracking as a Protection. Dogs in the Great War. Dogs for the Police. British v. German Police Dogs. Etc. "The first to welcome, the foremost to defend, Whose honest heart is still his master's own, Who labours, fights, loves, breathes for him alone." Byron. This is a fascinating read for any historian or enthusiast of the Guard and Watch-Dog types, but especially for lovers of the Airedale Terrier. The book also contains much information and advice that is still useful and practical today. Many of the earliest dog books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. VINTAGE DOG BOOKS are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Gain a deeper understanding of your canine friends through these in-depth breed profiles that showcase how working dogs think. From familiar breeds like the Border Collie, Corgi, and Dachshund to the lesser-known Akbash, Puli, and Hovawart, Janet Vorwald Dohner describes 93 breeds of livestock guardian dogs, herding dogs, terriers, and traditional multipurpose farm dogs, highlighting the tasks each dog is best suited for and describing its physical characteristics and temperament. She also offers an accessible history of how humans bred dogs to become our partners in work and beyond, providing a thorough introduction to these highly intelligent, independent, and energetic breeds.