FOB McHenry benefits from ‘sniff support’

KIRKUK, Iraq (Army News Service, March 14, 2006) -- With a modified ballistic vest, a Screaming Eagle combat patch and a Combat Action Badge, Zeko still may not look like the average Soldier, but he has become a valuable asset to the troops of Forward Operating Base McHenry.

The explosive detection dog has found improvised bombs buried several feet in the hard desert ground.

Zeko has brought new meaning to the phrase “man’s best friend,” said Bastogne Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, stationed at FOB McHenry.

“He’s got a good rapport with the Soldiers,” said Staff Sgt. David Silberman, Zeko’s kennel master and partner for nearly two and a half years now.

“Our missions are really broad; we support everything,” Silberman reflected. “Every day we are learning something different for us to do.”

When it comes to his job, Zeko may be at the top of his game, but Silberman says he trains on a regular basis, just like Soldiers.

Silberman said it takes on average two and a half years to get an explosive dog certified, but it does not end there; each dog must also go through an annual certification. Each dog must have a minimum 95-percent success rate on explosive detection or the dog is decertified.

“Explosive dogs are trained in nine different explosive odors,” Silberman stated confidently, while petting his partner. “He’s got to find every single one; he can’t miss them.”

Although Zeko is currently tested at 98.7 percent, and trained in desert warfare, Silberman takes it upon himself to keep their team up to the task by training everyday.

The real workout starts when shouts echo through the air, followed by yelping. Silberman holds Zeko tightly, while a volunteer Soldier wearing a protective sleeve runs. Then, at the right moment, Silberman releases the now vicious dog. Zeko sprints after the man, leaping into the air and locking his jaw on the Soldier’s protected arm.

Attempts to shake him off fail as Zeko just bites harder. Then with a single command from his handler, Zeko releases the Soldier and returns to sit next to Silberman. A few seconds later, Zeko is rewarded with playful hugs and praises.

Not only does this furry four-legged Soldier pull his weight in the fight against improvised explosive devices, he has become very protective of his new Bastogne comrades.

“We get to spend a lot of time with [Soldiers], he’s really close, and really protective of them,” Silberman said. “When we are taking rounds, he’s watching and really alert of his Soldiers, so he’s got a pretty good rapport with those guys.”

(Editor’s note: Spc. Barbara Ospina serves with 1st BCT Public Affairs, 101st Airborne Division.)

Zeko, an explosive detection Canine, takes a breather, after his handler puts his specially made balistic "doggles" on for his daily training.

Zeko, an explosive detection canine, leaps through a simulated window chasing a "bad guy", during his daily training at the newly built training course at Forward Operating Base McHenry, Iraq.

The best are light-hearted w/o being goofy. I call them "adult" dogs, as opposed to childish. Capable of being child-like in demeanor, joyous and happy, but never perpetually silly or incapable of being serious (sometimes, deadly serious) when need be.

My current dog is not a great example. While she's beautiful (1 of the best I've ever seen) just like my previous 1 was, she not only has horrible allergies, but is at heart wimpy and submissive, yet has shown food-aggression in the last year (when she was 2 and is now 3) and is *dangerously* enthusiastic about small animals. Generally, tho, she is a happy, bouncy, joyous dog who just adores people and dogs (way too much).

My previous GS was the best dog ever. She was entirely stable; dominant but not aggressive (those are NOT the same thing) and accepted her place. Happy and joyously energetic and playful, she was an excellent guard dog from the get-go, yet warily accepted people if Master did. If she accepted people and knew them pretty well, she would STILL bark ferociously at them from the house (that way, Master STILL knew to watch out for someone). Yet they could come up and talk to her and "remind" her by speaking her name and she would let them in (my sister, cleaning lady, friend), changing from vicious guard to accepting pet. 1 co-worker of mine who helped me move (same young age as I) said after the move, "When you come there, she's real scary; but she was the nicest dog....." (she brought him the pork-chop toy). My sis' very elderly grandma-in-law, who didn't really like dogs (she's used to out-of-control brats), was once left alone w/my dog for a while while we shopped. We came back, grandma says "oh, she is my friend, she sat w/me and followed me (and didn't jump on me)". She was as graceful as a deer (and as beautiful) and basically never stepped on anything she shouldn't - she was VERY wary of what she was doing, even not walking on your floor-level card games! (Unlike my current dog.)

Actually, my sis got a GS when mine was mid-age. He was a wonderful dog too - except he had those horrible allergies (I'm wondering about the Euro lines). He also was clumsy and big and sloppy, but he was a very excellent guard/family dog, and so sweet.

The problem is getting a real good 1. Actually, it's probably not that hard. I had looked at a total of 4 litters (long distance) and already had bought and sold a pup before buying my current. I knew in my heart she wasn't quite right, not really caring whether I was there or not, and rather do her own thing and seemed a little scared of many things (she was the only pup left to buy). I let myself get desparate after many months and miles. Advice: get a dog who wants to come up to you and follow you, check you out, etc. Remember that dominance <> aggression, only assertiveness, which is good. Check for aggression which is a separate issue. Too many times, it's the submissive, scared ones who are less reliable no matter how nice they seem.

Thanks for the excellent reply!

I just found out that a friend of mine at the gym owns a GS who she absolutely adores. He runs with her every day.

While at heart I'm a rottweiler fan, I have a fondness for GSD's that has gone back about 30 years now. I don't care for the grey and black coat style, but I've always found the brown black saddlebacks to be just gorgeous. My family thought about getting a puppy from the New Skete monks about 15 years ago. At the time, and it might still be so, but there was a big problem of dysplasia being accidentally bred into the GS lines in this country--so the only really reputable breeders were either oversees or from the monks. We ended up, and wisely so considering my family, adopting a Golden Retriever who was very easy to train and submissive--and an utter clown prince. It sounds like a GS takes a more disciplined and responsible owner.

The temperment sounds very similar to a well-bred rottie, although maybe just a tad more business oriented. My pup is going on 4, and is a great mix of dominant and easy going. She's never submissive or wussie, but she's quite affectionate and tender hearted. She knows all of our friends and accepts them as 'pack members' and I'm sure would defend them all to the death. She's also fiercely protective of my immediate family, even members she may only see once a year.

Her only 'flaws' are a disqualifying coat (she's shaggy, with a beard if you can imagine!) and a minor deformation of her hind leg because of a growth plate injury as a pup. She's also prone to urinary tract and "lady part" infections, which is curious.

I have to admit, I am REALLY tempted now. They are such impressive dogs, so who knows--we might look into adopting one in a few years. Might be a long ways off, though--I don't know if it would be a good idea to have two dominant breed/pesonalities together under one roof. Gotta love the Germans--they sure created some impressive breeds. My parents even owned an 'old style" weimaraner about 40 years ago, and he was really amazing.

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