Temperatures in Baghdad soar higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but Renner said the animals have acclimated well. When the dogs and handlers arrive on station, the handlers give them a couple of days to adjust and limit their movement in the heat.
“We basically give them one hour on when they’re searching, and a two-hour down time period where they can go and do scattered searches. (This gets the dogs) used to the heat in small amounts,” he said.
The dogs are also provided air-conditioned shelters and are kept as cool as possible during daytime activities to prevent heat stress injuries.
The biggest challenge for the handlers is keeping the dogs motivated, Renner said.
“Going out every day doing the same thing is very monotonous for them, and they really start to get discouraged with it,” he said. “So … (we) try to play with them as much as possible to get them really positive and motivated about what they’re doing here.”
Whether it is walking the dogs or taking out their favorite chew toys, the handlers are always coming up with new ways of making everything a game for the animals.
Branch has worked with Rudy for about three months, and watching his dog progress has been rewarding despite the challenges.
“Rudy is turning out to be a better dog each day, and it’s good to see the both of us growing as a team,” he said. “He definitely has the potential to be even greater than what he is right now as we work together more and more.”
