How do dogs find anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines and booby trap wires?
Each animal is trained to detect explosive odor signatures like TNT or the scent of monofilament line or metallic wire whether used on booby traps, mines or booby-trapped mines. (Wires also give acoustic signatures which are detectable by dogs.) They ignore other signatures and are rewarded each time they alert on an odor to which trained. The initial training lasts 8-10 weeks and is followed by another 8-10 week period of advanced or acclimation training in the operational country. After a mine-detecting dog has been initially certified and worked under live minefield conditions, regular refresher training is given to all RONCO/Global owned dogs. If long periods are experienced without finding mines, the handler may plant an explosive for the dog to find in order to keep the animal refreshed, interested and rewarded. This tactic can continue throughout the dog’s working life.
