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Military working dogs demonstrate capability at British Embassy

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The old saying, his bark is worse than his bite is not the case with Military Working Dog Chrach (pronounced Crash). Talk to any of his decoys and they will tell you, Chrach has a bite that demands to be taken seriously.

More than 500 spectators and 200 four-legged friends were on hand to see Chrach's capabilities March 4 when he and his handler, Staff Sgt. Kyle Alltop, 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, put on a Military Working Dog demonstration during the 6th Annual Paws for the Cause Dog Show at the British Embassy Gardens in Southwest Asia.

The team performed two demonstrations during the day-long dog show, which featured categories from best dressed to most adorable, but it was Chrach's obedience and aggression demonstration that was a crowd pleaser.

"Chrach loves these types of events," said Sergeant Alltop. "Anytime he can be the star of the show he loves it. He's a great public relations dog. At home station when we are not working we are performing demos."

Chrach, a three-year old German Shephard, spent 90 days in K-9 Boot Camp at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, before being assigned with Sergeant Alltop at the 56th Security Forces Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

"I picked him up at the airport and we have been a team together ever since," said the Mesa, Ariz. native.

Chrach uses all of his K-9 boot camp training as well as his on-the-job training during the demonstrations which go from simple obedience to the phases of aggression that handlers and their MWDs go through on a daily basis. With more than 200 other dogs at this particular demonstration as well as the spectators, it was Chrach's ability to listen and respond to Sergeant Alltop's commands that impressed one of the show's judges.

"I was very impressed with the entire demonstration," said Norma Taylor, a judge for the event. "(Chrach) was so focused. On an occasion like this, where there are so many distractions and so many other animals running around, Chrach did an amazing job."

To help with the demonstrations, two other MWD handlers from the 386th ESFS attended and acted as decoys for the phases of aggression portion of the demonstration.

"Being a decoy for Chrach or any other MWD is important," said Staff Sgt. Chad McCord, a Kingston, Ohio native, and one of the decoys for the demonstration. "The decoy is one of the most important parts in aggression training, whether using a bite suit or wrap."

Sergeant McCord could attest, using the bite suit top or the simple arm wrap to catch, or receive Chrach's bite, does offer some protection, but the bite is still felt.

"Chrach has a very forceful bite," said Sergeant McCord. "Using the suit top instead of the arm wrap gives a little bit more padding when catching any MWD. I felt his bite this time.

"When catching Chrach you are always going to walk away with at least one or two bruises; nothing a good handler/decoy can't handle," said Sergeant McCord with a chuckle.

The bites and bruises are all part of the job, which Sergeant McCord had wanted to do since first becoming a security forces member.

"I had always enjoyed dogs, but during my time at tech school (at Lackland AFB) I saw other students training to be handlers," he said. "I decided then that the first chance I got, I would become a MWD handler. Three years later, I applied for a slot and was accepted."

Staff Sgt. Dontarie Russ, a 386th ESFS MWD handler deployed from the 633rd Security Forces Squadron out of Langley Air Force Base, Va., attended the dog show as a decoy for the MWD demonstration as well.

"It felt really great to be a part of this demonstration in front of this very diverse crowd and show what Chrach can do," said Sergeant Russ, a Columbus Ga., native.

After the demonstration, dog show spectators were able to ask questions about Chrach and other MWDs and a wide range of questions were asked concerning Chrach's sleeping area to his play schedule. Though Chrach didn't win "best in show" at this dog show he was certainly a crowd pleaser.

"I love doing these types of demonstrations," said Sergeant Alltop. "We get to inform the public about Chrach or any MWDs, capabilities as well as showcase his abilities. What a great event."