Local dog handlers visit Zama for glimpse at K-9 ops

Photo and story by Dustin Perry, Torii Staff

Staff Sgt. Michael Bending, right, of the 88th Military Police Battalion’s working dog section, is bitten by Bond, a German shepherd, during a demonstration for members of the Kanagawa Rescue Dogs Association, who visited Camp Zama Oct. 27. Sgt. Jonathan Larson, also a dog handler, holds the leash.

CAMP ZAMA, Japan - Toshio Watanabe is watching a large German shepherd aggressively jerk its body while administering a firm and inescapable bite to the arm of a U.S. Soldier, and he is very impressed.

Watanabe does not wish the Soldier harm, nor does he take pleasure in witnessing the scene for the sake of its ferocity. Rather, the controlled attack is part of a demonstration being given to him and other members of the Kanagawa Rescue Dogs Association by military working dog handlers assigned to the 88th Military Police Battalion here.

Representatives from the KRDA visited Camp Zama Oct. 27 to witness a showcase of the military dogs’ detection and attack skills. In the name of bilateral enhancement, the Japanese trainers then showed the MPs how proficient their own dogs were at obedience and rescue operations.

The MPs first had one of their dogs conduct a roadway search for an improvised explosive device. Moving indoors, another MP led a dog through further explosives-detection training. Outside, Staff Sgt. Michael Bending and Sgt. Jonathan Larson worked together to demonstrate the aggression and attack training of Bond, the aforementioned German shepherd.

“The MPs conduct highly advanced K-9 training,” said Watanabe, director of the KRDA. “They tailor training for each dog and train them in different specialties depending on the dogs’ characters. It’s not as easy as it looks. I am impressed that they do it in such an efficient manner.”

Dogs from the KRDA are predominantly trained in schutzhund, a German word meaning “protection dog” and also a form of obedience training. The dogs there are typically used in rescue operations and during natural disasters.

Following the MPs’ demonstration, Watanabe and another trainer brought one of their dogs out and took it through a series of commands, search-and-rescue exercises and, yes, even attack drills.

“It was good for us to watch [the KRDA’s demonstration] because every handler has their own technique of training,” said Bending. “The focus on their dog was really good; I was really impressed with how well the dog listened to them.”

Observing other handlers’ techniques and exchanging ideas is extremely beneficial, and it allows the MPs to constantly improve their working relationship with their dogs, said Bending.

“What works with one dog may not work with another dog, so the more you know about how to train in one area, the better it is in the future when you encounter different problems,” said Bending.

Watanabe praised the MPs not only for the proficiency of their individual training techniques, but also for “their eagerness, patience and devotion toward training their dogs.”

“I am glad to find such superb dog-training mentors – sensei – as my neighbors, and I would like to deepen exchanges with them to learn various things and improve our own activities,” said Watanabe.