Once we understand some of the uses of the camera and lighting, we now turn to concepts of great photo composition.
1. The Rule of Thirds: Many photographers attempt to center their image in the middle of the viewfinder. Instead, in your mind’s eye, overlay your image with two horizontal and two vertical lines to produce 9 equal segments in your photo. A more interesting place to place the focal point of your photograph is where two of these lines intersect.
Here are some examples where you might easily see this element of composition illustrated.
Photo courtesy of DoD photographers.
2. Leading lines: Our eyes follow lines. How these are included in the composition of your photograph will determine how the viewer’s eyes are drawn through the image.
Two images showing lines leading the eyes through the photo are included below.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Whelan
In the photo below of the tracking dog, the line of the highway edge is clear as is the line of trees in the background. My eyes are drawn from the front right back towards the left. Are yours? In the photo below of Taran and his handler, Mras on the train, the lines in the photo draw you from the left to the right instead.
U.S. Army Sgt. Zachary Delk and military working dog, Nero M707, attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, conduct track training in Baghdad, Iraq, April 3, 2009. Track training teaches a dog to track by scent as well as sight. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Whelan/Released)
Photo above is courtesy DoD photograph.
3. Patterns, repetition and symmetry – Repetition of shapes and visuals can place the focus on your subject. In the top photo, the repetition also serves to showcase how many bags have to be searched.
U.S. Air Force photo by Perry Aston
U.S. Army Sgt. Todd Neveu, a military working dog (MWD) handler, and his dog, Gino, search baggage for drugs before the bags are loaded onto a plane July 25, 2010, at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. MWD teams randomly inspect baggage and personnel as U.S. forces transit through the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Perry Aston/Released)
Notice that some photographs include more than one element of composition. In the photo below, there is repetition in the arches, but the top of the bridge and the trees form lines lead your eyes towards the back of the photo.
Photo below credited to the DoD.
4. Viewpoint -Try taking your photos from a variety of angles and viewpoints. Each viewpoint will give you a different outcome and the photograph will convey a different feel and message. Above, direct and from below all will add character to your photographs depending on the subject. For great portraits, try photographing from slightly below eye level on the dog. Here are two other photos taken from two other viewpoints.
DoD photo by Perry Aston, U.S. Air Force.
Ali, a U.S. Air Force military working dog, runs to the next obstacle on a training course at Asad Air Base, Iraq, on July 25, 2010. The obstacle course provides exercise and obedience training for military dogs. DoD photo by Perry Aston, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
Below: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rusty Frank
5. Background – Always be aware of the background when shooting photos of your dog. You will want to consider color, distracting or uncomplimentary items (flowers appearing to come out of dog’s head for example). In the case of MWDs, including maps??? Maybe not a good idea. Remember the camera catches everything it sees, not just what the photographer is hoping to capture.
Here are some great backgrounds that really add to the story of the MWD being photographed.
The following photo is one of my favorites submitted to us by the handler, Daniel Fulton. The blue sky and desolate background add to the surreal surroundings in the deserts of Iraq.
Marine photo below by Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Piper
Enjoy practicing your craft. For every 25 photos you take, you may get only one or two that are worth keeping. That’s okay. As I said previously, pixels sacrificed in the search of a great photo are easily spent.
Send us MWD photos that you would like to share at info@mwdtsa.org. Happy Shooting!
Many Military Working Dogs are German shepherd dogs, Belgian Malinois and Labrador Retrievers. All of these breeds are prone to being very dark dogs. As handlers will quickly find, all black or other dark dogs can be a particular challenge to photograph.
A quick look at the photo below of three handlers and their dogs will illustrate that the dogs with dark or all black coasts tend to show less details in photos. Max, on the right, is more visible to the eye than either of our bi-color buddies with their dark faces. So how do we tackle the problems of photographing these great dogs?
We loved this photo we recently received. It also illustrates clearly the huge difference in detail that you can see in various dogs’ faces. The darker the face, the less detail you see.
So what to do?
Lighting, again is the first challenge. As discussed in our previous MWD Photo Shoot Blog, soft light is almost vital in taking photos of darker dogs: photos taken on overcast days, or light early in the morning or late afternoon will produce the best images. Harsh light will produce shadows which will often serve to make dark features even more indistinguishable.
Additionally, light can be augmented by reflection of light onto the dogs. Placing reflective white poster board, or placing the dog near a white wall that reflects light will offer some additional detail to your photos. Alternatively, bouncing a flash off of a white wall, white poster board will add more indirect light.
When photographing in direct light, try taking photos with the light coming from the side.
Recommendations for shooting black dogs also include having a neutral, uncluttered background. Photographers should remember that dark dogs taken against a dark subject will lose detail and fade into the background, thus making the dog virtually invisible.
One should also avoid white and other extremely light backgrounds. Green grass, fields, leaves and other natural backgrounds are good.
This photo taken of Nero inside a car (in the shade) shows more detail of his handsome little black face. Below are a few other of my favorite photos of dark dogs.
Billy and Posha Courtesy of DoD Beautiful photo of black dog against a neutral background.
Below a photo of Rocky. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew P. Troyer Side light. Notice dog is squinting in the sun.
U.S. Marine Corps improvised explosive device (IED) detection dog Rocky, attached to India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, rests during a patrol in Kajaki, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 22, 2010. The unit patrolled the area to deter insurgent emplacement of improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew P. Troyer/Released)
Indirect light coming in from a window.
Photo courtesy of Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo
Next Monday: MWD Photo Shoot: Basic Elements of Composition
https://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/Elisa-Stephanie-Gloria.jpg456600MWDTSAhttps://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/mwdtsa-website_headerlogo-01-2020-300x138.pngMWDTSA2013-04-15 00:55:002020-04-04 14:50:23MWD Photo Shoot: Shooting the Dark Dog
If you work long hard hours with your dog on jagged rocks or blistering pavement, you are going to need some quality boots. We are pleased to share with you that we have received a donation of 15 pairs of these superb boots from the Ruffwear Company. We have been promised photos of some of the recipients in the boots and will be sure to post them as soon as we receive them.
In the meantime, please check out these awesome boots at ruffwear.com and be sure to stop by and voice your support for a great company giving back to America’s military working dogs.
Thank you Ruffwear! We appreciate your donation and we know the handlers will appreciate it too, as they asked for you by name!
https://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/DSC_9826.jpg10601600MWDTSAhttps://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/mwdtsa-website_headerlogo-01-2020-300x138.pngMWDTSA2013-04-14 03:32:002020-04-04 16:24:38Please check out these great donations from RUFFWEAR
MWDTSA is proud to partner with OOIDA: Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association – an association of truck drivers to help round up addresses for their fabulous care packages. We generally send addresses of handlers who will be deployed for a year and who have additional dog handlers with whom they can share the generous contents of these great packages.
We were first connected with OOIDA via a Vietnam era Combat Tracker dog handler, Bill Casey, from Ohio. Bill is a member of OOIDA When Jeanne Dedrick joined the board, she and her husband were also members. We love truck drivers and OOIDA as they are both a generous and patriotic group.
This organization took on the cause of dogs, in addition to supporting all troops. Above is one of the care packages they put together to send to some of the kennels down range.
Below are packages received by some of the handlers.
From the photos, we think the dogs would join OOIDA…. if they could only drive truck….darn those missing opposable thumbs…LOL
Thanks to OOIDA for sending this important support. Please stop by their website and say thanks: http://ooida.com/. And, thanks, Adam for the great photos.
https://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/394652_522014417842095_1155562067_n.jpg700960MWDTSAhttps://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/mwdtsa-website_headerlogo-01-2020-300x138.pngMWDTSA2013-03-30 00:05:002020-04-04 16:24:30OOIDA Supports our dog handlers
A huge thank you to Mariani Packing Company for their support in our 1st Quarter Care Packages.
The Honey Bars were a huge hit with our deployed dog handlers. When this shipment arrived and I opened them to have a look, I thought we had something really special
After the care packages were sent, I received this personal note from one of the dog teams, who described the Honey Bars as, “Heaven in a Wrapper”, I was sure these bars were as wonderfully tasting as they were nutritious. These are great options for anyone working, exercising and wanting a handy, nutritious snack. Please be sure to stop by the website http://www.mariani.com/ to thank this sponsor and to order your own piece of Heaven. : ) We always want to support and thank our sponsors.
Thanks, Loretta for your great note. We always appreciate hearing for our wonderful dog teams.
https://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/DSC_7749-a_edited-1.jpg13651358MWDTSAhttps://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/mwdtsa-website_headerlogo-01-2020-300x138.pngMWDTSA2013-03-23 11:23:002020-04-04 16:24:25Mariani Bars: Heaven In a Wrapper
Thanks to our great friends at the Silver Slipper Casino in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, MWDTSA was able to include decks of playing cards in our last care packages. What a great way for the dog handlers to pass the time between missions. Thanks, Silver Slipper!
We LOVE our donors and ask that you support them whenever you can.
https://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/DSC_7757-a.jpg16001060MWDTSAhttps://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/mwdtsa-website_headerlogo-01-2020-300x138.pngMWDTSA2013-03-17 08:18:002020-04-04 16:22:38Silver Slipper Casino in Bay St. Louis, Mississppi
We are saddened to report that a dog from Fort Stewart, GA, MWD Bak, was Killed in Action on Monday in Afghanistan. A young, energetic dog, Bak was ambushed by the insider attack that also took the lives of two American soldiers and two Afghani policemen.
The handler was wounded, but is expected to make a quick recovery. The photo above shows Bak with his trainer while learning the ropes. We do not have a photo of him with his handler at this time.
This one is so emotional for me because when I first heard the news of the attack, before details were released, I just felt that we were somehow connected. Sadly, I was correct. Bak and his handler were on MWDTSA’s list of teams being supported with Care Packages so all of our donors had a hand in supporting this team.
MWDTSA has offered our condolences and assistance to this kennel. Please keep them in your thoughts.
https://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/TSgt-Angel-Landrau-and-MWD-BAK-DTS.jpg16001350MWDTSAhttps://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/mwdtsa-website_headerlogo-01-2020-300x138.pngMWDTSA2013-03-15 07:17:002018-09-23 16:21:39MWD Bak is KIA
Our friends at a Paterson, NJ elementary school partnered with us again for another round of great artwork and letters being sent out to handlers. These were done in the first week of February, but didn’t arrive quite in time to be sent with the 1st Quarter Care Packages so they are now being sent in honor of International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day, which happens to be today, February 23rd!
They also sent some Old Mother Hubbard biscuits for the occasion!
I wish I had time and space to scan and share all of the cards and letters. It is really hard to select just a handful as they are all precious and all worthy of sharing.
I was going to share these great photos on International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day, but because of a family illness and hospitalization, I missed it. Thanks to these great kids for their support and know that your biscuits are on their way!
https://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/001-1.jpg11291600MWDTSAhttps://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/mwdtsa-website_headerlogo-01-2020-300x138.pngMWDTSA2013-03-02 12:21:002020-04-04 14:48:41International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
Sgt. Garrett Grenier, a dog handler, and Staff Sgt. Drake, a mine-detection dog, enjoy a game of fetch before training at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 8, 2013.
Grenier and Drake are both attached to the 49th Engineer Detachment (mine dogs) and train daily pending weather and mission tempo. The handlers warm up their dogs with games of tug-of-war and fetch to get them into the training mindset.
Sgt. Brian Curd, a dog handler, shows Staff Sgt. Allen, a mine-detection dog, some affection after a training session at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Jan. 8, 2013.
Curd and Allen are both with the 49th Engineer Detachment (mine dogs) based out of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and deployed to detect mines for line units and clear minefields for expansion.
Sgt. Garret Grenier, a dog handler, gives Staff Sgt. Drake, a mine-detection dog, his favorite toy as a reward after a successful training session at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 8, 2013.
Drake and Grenier are members of the 49th Engineer Detachment (mine dogs). A military working dog’s rank is always higher than its handler in order to promote the welfare of the animal. If the handler abuses the dog, he can be punished for hurting a superior noncommisioned officer.
Photo Credit: Sgt. Christopher Bonebrake, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, here are some of our favorite photos to showcase the connection, respect and love between dog and dog handler. Some of these are older, but still great photos.
Above, A Military Working Dog plays with Staff Sgt. Stephanie Pecovsky, 11 SFG MWD trainer, while taking a break during a ruck march Aug. 8, 2012 at Joint Base Andrews, Md. The Airmen are getting the MWD acclimated to walking long distances and still performing their duties, before they are deployed downrange. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Perry Aston)
Courtesy DoD.
Lucy and AJ. Photo courtesy AJ Nieto
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Danielle Kubit, from Marine Corps Task Force Military Police, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, rewards her working dog, Britt, after finding a simulated improvised explosive device during a training exercise at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Feb. 23, 2009. Marines and Sailors from Task Force Military Police conduct exercises to ensure working dogs remain trained and ready for operations while deployed. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chance M. Hiser/Released)
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Danielle Kubit, from Marine Corps Task Force Military Police, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, rewards her working dog, Britt, after finding a simulated improvised explosive device during a training exercise.. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chance M. Hiser/Released.
https://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/641506.jpg11431600MWDTSAhttps://www.mwdtsa.org/wp-content/uploads/mwdtsa-website_headerlogo-01-2020-300x138.pngMWDTSA2013-02-14 00:05:002020-04-04 14:57:46Military Working Dog Love
MWD Photo Shoot: Composition
Photo courtesy of DoD photographers.
Once we understand some of the uses of the camera and lighting, we now turn to concepts of great photo composition.
1. The Rule of Thirds: Many photographers attempt to center their image in the middle of the viewfinder. Instead, in your mind’s eye, overlay your image with two horizontal and two vertical lines to produce 9 equal segments in your photo. A more interesting place to place the focal point of your photograph is where two of these lines intersect.
Here are some examples where you might easily see this element of composition illustrated.
Photo courtesy of DoD photographers.
2. Leading lines: Our eyes follow lines. How these are included in the composition of your photograph will determine how the viewer’s eyes are drawn through the image.
Two images showing lines leading the eyes through the photo are included below.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Whelan
In the photo below of the tracking dog, the line of the highway edge is clear as is the line of trees in the background. My eyes are drawn from the front right back towards the left. Are yours? In the photo below of Taran and his handler, Mras on the train, the lines in the photo draw you from the left to the right instead.
U.S. Army Sgt. Zachary Delk and military working dog, Nero M707, attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, conduct track training in Baghdad, Iraq, April 3, 2009. Track training teaches a dog to track by scent as well as sight. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Whelan/Released)
Photo above is courtesy DoD photograph.
3. Patterns, repetition and symmetry – Repetition of shapes and visuals can place the focus on your subject. In the top photo, the repetition also serves to showcase how many bags have to be searched.
U.S. Air Force photo by Perry Aston
U.S. Army Sgt. Todd Neveu, a military working dog (MWD) handler, and his dog, Gino, search baggage for drugs before the bags are loaded onto a plane July 25, 2010, at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. MWD teams randomly inspect baggage and personnel as U.S. forces transit through the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Perry Aston/Released)
Notice that some photographs include more than one element of composition. In the photo below, there is repetition in the arches, but the top of the bridge and the trees form lines lead your eyes towards the back of the photo.
Photo below credited to the DoD.
4. Viewpoint -Try taking your photos from a variety of angles and viewpoints. Each viewpoint will give you a different outcome and the photograph will convey a different feel and message. Above, direct and from below all will add character to your photographs depending on the subject. For great portraits, try photographing from slightly below eye level on the dog. Here are two other photos taken from two other viewpoints.
DoD photo by Perry Aston, U.S. Air Force.
Ali, a U.S. Air Force military working dog, runs to the next obstacle on a training course at Asad Air Base, Iraq, on July 25, 2010. The obstacle course provides exercise and obedience training for military dogs. DoD photo by Perry Aston, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
Below: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rusty Frank
5. Background – Always be aware of the background when shooting photos of your dog. You will want to consider color, distracting or uncomplimentary items (flowers appearing to come out of dog’s head for example). In the case of MWDs, including maps??? Maybe not a good idea. Remember the camera catches everything it sees, not just what the photographer is hoping to capture.
Here are some great backgrounds that really add to the story of the MWD being photographed.
The following photo is one of my favorites submitted to us by the handler, Daniel Fulton. The blue sky and desolate background add to the surreal surroundings in the deserts of Iraq.
Marine photo below by Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Piper
Enjoy practicing your craft. For every 25 photos you take, you may get only one or two that are worth keeping. That’s okay. As I said previously, pixels sacrificed in the search of a great photo are easily spent.
Send us MWD photos that you would like to share at info@mwdtsa.org. Happy Shooting!
MWD Photo Shoot: Shooting the Dark Dog
Many Military Working Dogs are German shepherd dogs, Belgian Malinois and Labrador Retrievers. All of these breeds are prone to being very dark dogs. As handlers will quickly find, all black or other dark dogs can be a particular challenge to photograph.
A quick look at the photo below of three handlers and their dogs will illustrate that the dogs with dark or all black coasts tend to show less details in photos. Max, on the right, is more visible to the eye than either of our bi-color buddies with their dark faces. So how do we tackle the problems of photographing these great dogs?
We loved this photo we recently received. It also illustrates clearly the huge difference in detail that you can see in various dogs’ faces. The darker the face, the less detail you see.
So what to do?
Lighting, again is the first challenge. As discussed in our previous MWD Photo Shoot Blog, soft light is almost vital in taking photos of darker dogs: photos taken on overcast days, or light early in the morning or late afternoon will produce the best images. Harsh light will produce shadows which will often serve to make dark features even more indistinguishable.
Additionally, light can be augmented by reflection of light onto the dogs. Placing reflective white poster board, or placing the dog near a white wall that reflects light will offer some additional detail to your photos. Alternatively, bouncing a flash off of a white wall, white poster board will add more indirect light.
When photographing in direct light, try taking photos with the light coming from the side.
Recommendations for shooting black dogs also include having a neutral, uncluttered background. Photographers should remember that dark dogs taken against a dark subject will lose detail and fade into the background, thus making the dog virtually invisible.
One should also avoid white and other extremely light backgrounds. Green grass, fields, leaves and other natural backgrounds are good.
This photo taken of Nero inside a car (in the shade) shows more detail of his handsome little black face. Below are a few other of my favorite photos of dark dogs.
Billy and Posha Courtesy of DoD Beautiful photo of black dog against a neutral background.
Below a photo of Rocky. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew P. Troyer Side light. Notice dog is squinting in the sun.
U.S. Marine Corps improvised explosive device (IED) detection dog Rocky, attached to India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, rests during a patrol in Kajaki, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 22, 2010. The unit patrolled the area to deter insurgent emplacement of improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew P. Troyer/Released)
Indirect light coming in from a window.
Photo courtesy of Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo
Next Monday: MWD Photo Shoot: Basic Elements of Composition
Please check out these great donations from RUFFWEAR
In the meantime, please check out these awesome boots at ruffwear.com and be sure to stop by and voice your support for a great company giving back to America’s military working dogs.
Thank you Ruffwear! We appreciate your donation and we know the handlers will appreciate it too, as they asked for you by name!
OOIDA Supports our dog handlers
MWDTSA is proud to partner with OOIDA: Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association – an association of truck drivers to help round up addresses for their fabulous care packages. We generally send addresses of handlers who will be deployed for a year and who have additional dog handlers with whom they can share the generous contents of these great packages.
We were first connected with OOIDA via a Vietnam era Combat Tracker dog handler, Bill Casey, from Ohio. Bill is a member of OOIDA When Jeanne Dedrick joined the board, she and her husband were also members. We love truck drivers and OOIDA as they are both a generous and patriotic group.
This organization took on the cause of dogs, in addition to supporting all troops. Above is one of the care packages they put together to send to some of the kennels down range.
Below are packages received by some of the handlers.
From the photos, we think the dogs would join OOIDA…. if they could only drive truck….darn those missing opposable thumbs…LOL
Thanks to OOIDA for sending this important support. Please stop by their website and say thanks: http://ooida.com/. And, thanks, Adam for the great photos.
Mariani Bars: Heaven In a Wrapper
The Honey Bars were a huge hit with our deployed dog handlers. When this shipment arrived and I opened them to have a look, I thought we had something really special
After the care packages were sent, I received this personal note from one of the dog teams, who described the Honey Bars as, “Heaven in a Wrapper”, I was sure these bars were as wonderfully tasting as they were nutritious. These are great options for anyone working, exercising and wanting a handy, nutritious snack. Please be sure to stop by the website http://www.mariani.com/ to thank this sponsor and to order your own piece of Heaven. : ) We always want to support and thank our sponsors.
Thanks, Loretta for your great note. We always appreciate hearing for our wonderful dog teams.
Silver Slipper Casino in Bay St. Louis, Mississppi
MWD Bak is KIA
We are saddened to report that a dog from Fort Stewart, GA, MWD Bak, was Killed in Action on Monday in Afghanistan. A young, energetic dog, Bak was ambushed by the insider attack that also took the lives of two American soldiers and two Afghani policemen.
The handler was wounded, but is expected to make a quick recovery. The photo above shows Bak with his trainer while learning the ropes. We do not have a photo of him with his handler at this time.
This one is so emotional for me because when I first heard the news of the attack, before details were released, I just felt that we were somehow connected. Sadly, I was correct. Bak and his handler were on MWDTSA’s list of teams being supported with Care Packages so all of our donors had a hand in supporting this team.
MWDTSA has offered our condolences and assistance to this kennel. Please keep them in your thoughts.
International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
Our friends at a Paterson, NJ elementary school partnered with us again for another round of great artwork and letters being sent out to handlers. These were done in the first week of February, but didn’t arrive quite in time to be sent with the 1st Quarter Care Packages so they are now being sent in honor of International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day, which happens to be today, February 23rd!
They also sent some Old Mother Hubbard biscuits for the occasion!
I wish I had time and space to scan and share all of the cards and letters. It is really hard to select just a handful as they are all precious and all worthy of sharing.
I was going to share these great photos on International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day, but because of a family illness and hospitalization, I missed it. Thanks to these great kids for their support and know that your biscuits are on their way!
49th Engineer Detachment Dogs Deployed
Sgt. Garrett Grenier, a dog handler, and Staff Sgt. Drake, a mine-detection dog, enjoy a game of fetch before training at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 8, 2013.
Grenier and Drake are both attached to the 49th Engineer Detachment (mine dogs) and train daily pending weather and mission tempo. The handlers warm up their dogs with games of tug-of-war and fetch to get them into the training mindset.
Sgt. Brian Curd, a dog handler, shows Staff Sgt. Allen, a mine-detection dog, some affection after a training session at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Jan. 8, 2013.
Curd and Allen are both with the 49th Engineer Detachment (mine dogs) based out of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and deployed to detect mines for line units and clear minefields for expansion.
Sgt. Garret Grenier, a dog handler, gives Staff Sgt. Drake, a mine-detection dog, his favorite toy as a reward after a successful training session at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 8, 2013.
Drake and Grenier are members of the 49th Engineer Detachment (mine dogs). A military working dog’s rank is always higher than its handler in order to promote the welfare of the animal. If the handler abuses the dog, he can be punished for hurting a superior noncommisioned officer.
Photo Credit: Sgt. Christopher Bonebrake, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Military Working Dog Love
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, here are some of our favorite photos to showcase the connection, respect and love between dog and dog handler. Some of these are older, but still great photos.
Above, A Military Working Dog plays with Staff Sgt. Stephanie Pecovsky, 11 SFG MWD trainer, while taking a break during a ruck march Aug. 8, 2012 at Joint Base Andrews, Md. The Airmen are getting the MWD acclimated to walking long distances and still performing their duties, before they are deployed downrange. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Perry Aston)
Courtesy DoD.
Lucy and AJ. Photo courtesy AJ Nieto
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Danielle Kubit, from Marine Corps Task Force Military Police, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, rewards her working dog, Britt, after finding a simulated improvised explosive device during a training exercise at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Feb. 23, 2009. Marines and Sailors from Task Force Military Police conduct exercises to ensure working dogs remain trained and ready for operations while deployed. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chance M. Hiser/Released)
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Danielle Kubit, from Marine Corps Task Force Military Police, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, rewards her working dog, Britt, after finding a simulated improvised explosive device during a training exercise.. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chance M. Hiser/Released.