Perceived Factors Leading to Overheating in Military Working Dogs During Initial Training
Authors: Arango Natalia Henao , O'Brien Catherine , Tharion William J. 
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Heat injuries accounted for approximately 12% of Military Working Dogs’ (MWDs) deaths during combat in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Additionally, heat stroke in young MWDs(< 5 yrs old) has been reported as the second most common reason for discharge from service. Initial training of MWDs takes place at Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), San Antonio, TX. Little information is available on the factors related to overheating during this training.

Purpose

To document and understand the perceived characteristics and events that may result in overheating of MWDs during training at Lackland AFB.

Methods

MWD handlers (n =13) and veterinary(vet) staff (n = 5) who support the MWD training program at Lackland AFB volunteered for this study. Data were obtained through surveys and video‐taped focus groups to obtain in formation from these experienced personnel. Information sought included what factors they believed led to heat‐related events including heat injuries in MWDs. With regard to the open‐ended focus group questions: when a comment was made by avolunteer, all volunteers were queried on their agreement or disagreement with that comment. Use of focus group questioning avoided biasing respondents to potential answers and allowed for elaboration of responses.

Results

The most frequently reported factors perceived to contribute to overheating in MWDs were specific physical characteristics: (long fur [75 %], dark colored fur [70 %], inadequate physical conditioning [55 %], and lack of acclimatization [55 %]), behavioral characteristics: (hyperactivity [75 %], temperament [63 %], and dogs that pull against the leash [65 %]), and type of training: (detection [70%]). When asked if the concept of a computer” app” for MWD handlers to guide training would be useful, no MWD handlers (0%)thought it would, but all the vet staff (100%) thought it would be useful for the handlers. Clinical heat injuries are infrequent during training at Lackland AFB (unanimous agreement among all volunteers). However, 46% of MWD handlers reported that at least 1 out of 18 dogs being trained at the same time would exhibit heat‐related signs that lead to curtailed training, while 8% believed it was closer to 4 to 6 out of 18 dogs where training had to be curtailed.

Conclusions

Training at Lackland AFB is structured and supported with a veterinary clinic in close proximity. As a result, actual heat injuries are rare. However, training is limited in some MWDs due to a combination of MWDs’ physical characteristics and behavioral attributes. The type of training most often reported to lead to overheating in MWDs is detection work. The goals of the vet staff and handlers with respect to MWDs are different. Handlers must train MWDs to operate in harsh environments while minimizing heat injury risk; vet staff's primary concern is to avoid heat injuries altogether.

Support or Funding Information

Disclaimer: Funding for this research was provided by the U.S. Army Medical and Materiel Command. Opinions are those of the authors and should not be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Army.