The Military Uses The Training Of Dogs And Reindeer In The Far North Of Russia

In Russia, the military is making friends with reindeer and canines. In the Murmansk region, in the heart of the Arctic, a motorized brigade of the Northern Fleet is learning to master the traditional vehicles of the indigenous peoples. What would you say they are? reindeer and furry sleighs. For this they are with the training of dogs.

These soldiers are receiving a training course for proper movement through the tundra with the help of dogs. Exercises include shooting on the move. In addition, they practice the secret delivery of ammunition and fuel to the companions who are in the rear of the enemy.

Dog training, historical references

These military personnel are taught to occupy the position in a reindeer sleigh and deploy to observation posts. The reindeer can move in a discreet way, they do not bark at the enemy and they even remain silent when they are injured.

With the training of dogs important advances are also being made. It must be remembered that, during the Second World War, more than 10,000 of these animals were mobilized for the needs of the front in the Soviet Union. They were part of various transport teams and ski battalions.

Sleds, an ideal means of transport

We are talking about a region with temperatures that can reach -50ºC and you cannot see the horizon.

It seems incredible to observe the way in which dogs pull sleds over many kilometers, in very tough terrain conditions. For them to do it correctly, the training of dogs is necessary.

How is dog training

It is important to start the training of dogs since they are puppies. For this reason, experts suggest that the litter be purchased for the training of the dogs shortly after birth.

In this dog training, these puppies are always close to the sled. They have a special counterweight attached to their back so that their spine is not deformed.

Packs of dogs have an established hierarchy. In the first row run the two leaders: the boss and the strongest, who set the pace for the others.

When the driver is injured, the other animals are able to take him to the nearest town. If an unforeseen situation occurs, the animals are trained to surround their owner, protect him and give him warmth.

Extreme winter for dogs

Animals used for dog training cope well with winter. Their fur is dense, with two layers: one dense and woolly and the other with long, hollow, air-filled hairs. No skin, of any other animal, shelters more than reindeer skin. But the one of these furry breeds is also very suitable for winter.

Tips for training a dog in the snow

• It is important to have the ability to teach and keep it fun at the same time. The lessons should be short and frequent to make sure the dog remembers them. Don’t forget to praise him during training.

• In dog training , snowmobiles are a good choice for puppies to start interacting with the snow. They will feel light, they won’t panic, and they will glide well.

• The best place for dogs to start in the snow is a place that is familiar to them. For example, where we started to play with them, where they trained with the leash, etc.

• The time to pull the sled. Dogs will naturally want to pull the sled. If they don’t, we can walk alongside them giving little tugs on the rope. It is not good technique to place ourselves in front of the dog. Ideally, they should learn to respect and carry out orders with their owner behind them. Among other reasons, because that will be the way they will receive the orders when they go on the sled.

• The ideal training is based on seeking the motivation of the animal and the bond with it. For this we will use reinforcements that will guide the dog towards those behaviors and attitudes that we want him to repeat. Permanently correcting unwanted behaviors doesn’t help.