Ongoing Welfare Concerns
Contrary to popular belief, euthanasia is no longer a major concern for MWD. In 2011, not one dog approved for adoption was euthanized because it could not find a home. However, in the same year, 16 dogs were euthanized due to being too aggressive. Research has shown that there is a strong link between unwanted aggression in MWD and their welfare, leading to the first concern.
Rambo, biting a soldier for training. MWD should only show aggression when commanded by their handlers, and desist immediately upon the handler’s orders. Photo from: http://gizmodo.com/5943301/26-awesome-photos-of-war-dogs-showing-how-badass-and-cute-they-can-be
Many studies have revealed that dogs with poor welfare are more likely respond to otherwise neutral situations with fearful aggression, as is determined by its low posture (fear-related behaviour) and aggressive tendencies. When a dog is too aggressive, it is unable to complete its work, nor is it suitable for adoption, leading to its euthanasia. If this undesired aggression could be diminished, the dog would enjoy general improved welfare, including avoiding an necessary death.
In Haverberbeke et al.’s study in 2010, he assessed the result from a Human Familiarization and Training Programme (FMTP) that he had conducted. In this program, dogs the experimental group were given greater and more positive human contact. This included being taken home by their handlers, given more appetitive stimuli rather than aversive stimuli in training, increasing play and increasing bonding time between the handler and their dogs. The dogs in turn became more obedient, working with their handlers as a more efficient team, showing less undesired aggression, which the authors took as suggestive of improved welfare.
Mack bonding with Senior Airman Gregory Darby. Photo from: http://gizmodo.com/5943301/26-awesome-photos-of-war-dogs-showing-how-badass-and-cute-they-can-be
These findings are supported by Lefebvre et al’s study in 2006, which observed the quality of the relation between the dogs and their handlers, and their efficiency and welfare. They found that MWD that were taken home and played with by the handlers showed greater obedience as well as sociability. They also had decreased expression of behaviours typical of low welfare. Unfortunately, they also noted that less than half of the handler’s were taking their dogs home, meaning that most dogs were not receiving this enrichment in their lives.
Senior Airman Beaun Clegg carrying Reyana over his back. This exercise has been shown to build trust between the handlers and their dogs. Photo from: http://gizmodo.com/5943301/26-awesome-photos-of-war-dogs-showing-how-badass-and-cute-they-can-be
Another current welfare concern is Canine PTSD. Handlers at Lackland have noticed that some of the dogs that are returning from the war are exhibiting changes in behaviour and skittishness similar to PTSD sufferers. Using the term “PTSD” is debated due to the fact that one of the landmark symptoms, recurring memories and intrusive thoughts, cannot be proven in the dogs. Nevertheless, it s clear that these dogs are suffering from severe mental stress, making them unable to perform their duties. While these dogs can be adopted, they often make poor pets due to their high levels of fear and their abilities to be easily terrified. This particular finding has arisen fairly recently, so there are limited resources discussing it, indicating that more research must be done.![[SB10001424052748704625004575089723971085714]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-HR641_ptsddo_D_20100226141509.jpg)
Gunner, a MWD who developed PTSD before even going on a real patrol. Photo from: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704479404575087360790295570.html
As all these examples have indicated, and as Rooney at al. (2009) mention in their research, there are still some significant welfare challenges to be overcome. Some changes that could help improve the welfare of these animals includes enforcing more bonding time with the handlers and their dogs, both in play time and preferably, housing the dogs are their own homes. If, for some reason, this is not possible, introducing the dogs to their kennels more gradually and with positive rewards may allow them to cope with the stressful housing better. Enriching the kennel environment can also help, including providing the dog with good bedding on a raised platform and giving the animals toys and bones to play with. The dogs also seem to benefit from intraspecific contact – sending groups of handlers and their dogs on an off-leash hike is highly beneficial to the welfare of the dogs. The handlers should also be taught to use more positive encouragement, such as treats or patting, rather than aggressive punishment, such as leash pulling or hanging. Aggressive punishment often leads to a more fearful canine, and an inefficient partnership with their owners. As for PTSD, more studies must be done to figure out exactly what is causing these reactions in certain dogs. Certain solutions at present include making sure to choose breeds and individual dogs that are suited for the war environment, assessing both their biological characteristics as well as their individual temperaments. In addition, removing the dog from the aversive environment, either to retrain them or to rehome them with a family that has the time and care to nurse the dogs back to full mental health.