Military Dogs of the US Special Forces - Ken Licklider Vohne Liche Kennels - Episode 112

There are dogs and then there are police and military dogs. The most elite of all dogs are those that serve in the Special Operations Divisions of the US Military. These are the dogs we're discussing in this podcast. Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds and more. Ken Lichlider is known for training these dogs as well as deploying more working dogs during some recent US military operations than the US Military.
Ken is the owner, operator and chief training instructor at Von Liche Kennels. You may recognize him from his show on Nat Geo Wild "Alpha Dogs." This conversation opens a lot of conversations that have NEVER been discussed. The real people who trained and provided these dogs, not the imposters you see on the internet and social media.
Check out Vohne Liche Kennels:
www.vohneliche.com
Facebook: / vohnelichekennels
IG @vohnelicheknnels
Check my online dog training at:
robertcabral.com
Learn to be a dog trainer with my online course:
shelterdogtrain...
#militarydogs #belgianmalinois #workingdog

[@timmanion7459]

I'm retired military as welm , so thanx for your service. I have a female Malinois that is 4 yrs old . I live alone in the country and was actually looking for a GSD. I've had 3 GSD's in my lifetime. I also , though not a "dog handler " in the military, I worked alongside and interacted with them extensively , so I knew what I wS getting myself into. I had a chance 2.5 yrs ago to adopt this female Malinois and thought on it and decided yes . I've never looked back . Without a doubt the best , smartest, protective, loving dog I've ever had. I'm lucky to live in the country and she has a lot of room . They're most definitely not a breed for most unless you actually possess the absolute commitment to the time that your dog deserves. Great video and I loved the "Alpha Dog" show . Hoo Ya bro !!

[@ronunderwood5771]

Had a small female. 38 pds. Awesome dog. I miss her everyday. She was a rescue.

[@JK-zq9vw]

@@ronunderwood5771 that is a small female. Best wishes to you.

[@jaebird7513]

Same here was looking for a German Shepard. Ran across a 5 month old Malinois. Sent him to training…He’s 2 now! Don’t know how I ever lived without him. He’s my best bud we do everything together!

[@JK-zq9vw]

@@jaebird7513 I’m glad to hear how you and your dad are doing. If I could afford to send her off or even do a few times a week where I drop her off at a trainers here in Jacksonville NC, I would for sure! She’s a hard worker and I think would do well with a strong obedience program that could qualify her as a service dog (emotional support/ helper for pain, mental health, and small tasks like picking stuff up that I can’t reach.. I have a habit of dropping my cane. I can get it with my feet sometimes but having the help with it and other things would be well utilized talents) After my Dobie passed away, I came across a male Dobie pup… man, it actually brought a tear to my eye. I sat and just held him for like 15-20 minutes. If we didn’t have our Shepherd puppy he would have been coming home with me…. He almost came home with me anyway! Our GSD is still a ball full of energy but she’s been more calm and listens a bit better. I still don’t know what it is with my wife’s female yorkie though. The GSD tried to play with her a bit but for the most part they just didn’t bother interacting with each other. Took the yorkie to the groomer and when she got back our GSD went after her. We had been keeping the separate but we had house guests for about a month and she seemed like she was fine with her again… until yesterday that is.

[@rickmendigutia6181]

Ken I met you a long time ago at a police k9 seminar that you were at in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. At the time I had a GS that you complimented me on, you said, “ thats a mal in a Shepard's body.” after that dog I worked an EOD dog that came from you named Nitro. I was very fortunate to work two amazing dogs back to back. I think you are a legend in the K9 world. You are the Michael Jordan, Muhammad ali of k9. The greatest of the k9 world. Thank you for teaching me so much from just that one seminar. God bless you brother.

[@todesque]

I hung on every word of this episode. Absolutely fascinating. One of your best interviews yet. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@alexandradittmann8588]

Fascinating... Thanks for the podcast! Regarding the change in the sports world in Europe: I'm German, and was active in German Shepherd- and Rottweiler clubs (those "Schutzhund Clubs") back in the 90s, and the VDH issued new regulations about guidelines for the judges back then - the focus being on "the dog needs to work JOYFULLY". This was done to counteract the strong, at times brutal, methods employed in training, including forced tracking, forced retrieval, and dogs being compliant, but working with their tails low and their ears pinned back. So, during the 90's, even those "old grizzled guys" had to embrace a more balanced approach to present a diligently working dog that, at the same time, looked happy to be there.

[@dragonryderslair]

I am glad you posted I have 2 dogs a 13 y.o. GSD X.CHOW and a 6mth puppy Belgian Malinios x American Akita. Yeah I rescued both and the puppy is proving a very smart very determined very stubborn girl! Anyway any working animal should be joyful and compliant. I have trained draft horses that weigh 2000# and over 6.5 ft. @ the withers. I weigh 135# 5.0' tall and if my animals DONT want to do what I need them to do I SURE AS HELL CANT MAKE these animals compliant. I have to come up with games that make work fun for them and productive for me. I had a now 19y Percheron mare HUGE was training her to pull a wagon SHE WOULD NOT PULL it at lease where I wanted to go. She had a jolly ball she loved I put her jolly ball in her mouth changed ths harness to accommodate and as long as she had her toy she was good. Yes we did eventually work the ball out. My point is if an animal is trained with mutual respect and consistency there are really no limits except those imposed by physics and physical/mental fitness

[@SoBayK80]

​@@dragonryderslairrespect! Those are powerful mixes, I don't want to know how much undercoat the GSD/chow produces! My GSD undercoat is like spiders silk, sticky it's so fine, but in MASS QUANTITY hahaha.

[@williamadams4843]

Love this man's insight and belief. Made a pack animal a pack animal.

[@chaoticcaninejb]

Seeing Flash dive to the bottom of the pool and retrieve was unreal. Or jump up and Hite and hold a 4x4 wood post. Dog.was amazing

[@MS-23]

Awesome!!! I am not a trainer hire I have had dogs all my life & have huge respect for working dogs and there trainers these are very good conversations you are having please continue.

[@ElkhanDogTrainer]

Thank you for great podcast. Can you please make video about working dog pedigrees, how to read, and how bloodlines make dog character and appearance. Thank you

[@Calvinmob681]

One of the best working dogs I found was free. I had a buddy call me at a rescue and tell me somwone left a super spunky puppy GSD and didn't leave any pedigree papers but the dog looked like a pure breed Sable German Shepherd. I went and tested him and was very pleased. He ended up being a great dog and I also saved about 5K.

[@german_babsi]

Great interview and insight into military & special forces working dog training! I am German so I trained my rescued GSG & GSD/Lab dogs in German; yes, I miss being able to take my dogs to malls & restaurants - a big “no no” here in USA - ugh! I live on a 2 acre horse property and my dogs are daily working - pulling wagons with hay & horse poop, chasing & killing vermin, as well as protecting me and property from coyotes and human intruders! Life is best lived with GSDs!

[@Geeronimo99]

I love the way he said he doesn't want the dog aggressive. Just to bump people with its body then he apprehend. That is wise. Humans take responsibility. The dog helps. Learning so much watching these podcasts. Thankyou.

[@KyleAKG]

Man I miss being around Kenny and the whole crew. My dad was the senior trainer at Vohn Liche Kennels in the early/mid 2000s, great times

[@liltrump799]

This was such an amazing podcast. I loved every minute of it.

[@conormcquail3504]

This man is the real deal … very humble when his work speaks volumes.. great interview. Even though he has earned the right to speak on dog training and many trainers doesn’t bash on them …great interview

[@lucaspyle6943]

I was with 1/25 out of Alaska and we leased dogs from Kenny in ‘08-09. For our Iraq deployment. My dog was duke#4. He was amazing and I miss him every day.

[@garretmclemore5398]

My K9 Echo came from Ken and the boys at VLK. Very cool people. No nonsense. Nothing but the best.

[@_THUMPR_]

Friggin loved that show!

[@chaoticcaninejb]

I remember our first dog from Kenny, "Shadow" supposedly a black mal, but damn head the size of a watermelon and looked like a pit bull with pointed ears. Lots of stories over the last 15+yrs with Ken and crew.

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Awesome.

[@primalcritters]

I wouldn't be surprised if he was out crossed. I have a black working line German Shepherd Malinois American Pitbull Terrier mix and his head is definitely bigger than a purebred Mal. Also, I have been friends with a few Malinois breeders and the ones that breed larger Malinois, 90 lb these dogs are out crossed whether it's recently or many generations back and then bred back. Great example of this is Blackjack Malinois and there stud dog named Buddy. You can see that his head looks like in between a working line German shepherd and a Malinois. They also have another stud dog I forgot his name that looks like he has some Pitbull and him cuz his cheeks are definitely wider. Bottom line is the Eastern Europeans in Dutch do outcross because they want the best working dogs. They just don't advertise them as out crosses but they are. Very few fci registered, and even for the ones that are, there can be paper hanging. A lot of the larger Malinois or Dutch Shepherd lines have working line German Shepherd in them or sometimes Mastiff or APBT. Danny a Malinois breeder in San Diego who's a very cool guy has spoken about this and has said that it's not such a big deal people get so offended when they hear about these out crosses but it definitely happens

[@bailey9208]

Great podcast. I have had my Mal for 2 years now and she has been the most well behaved house trained dog I have ever owned and I have had many. I laugh out loud whenever I hear a big dog trainer say “why you shouldn’t own a Malinois”! Maybe not everyone is cut out for taking care of one but it should be more of learn how to take care of one of these dogs. It is three times the work of a baby and I have had 6 babies as well.

[@johncspine2787]

I really thought I was going to be ready for my German shepherd puppy..wow, was I ever so wrong…not really the physical part, although at 59 the middle of the night potty trips suck, the puppy’s too lol, but the mental part..

[@markf350s]

Gentlemen thank you for another great video I appreciate what you're doing in the effort you put into this and so many true statements were made

[@JK-zq9vw]

I’ve got a GSD puppy that I’m trying to train…man she is a bucket of springs! I got her because my 13 year old Doberman wasn’t doing so hot. I just wanted her to have some of his.. skills. I got him as I was going through spine surgeries and dealing with the “becoming useless to the AF” medical retirement. I had(and still have a lot of pain and days I can’t get out of bed) pain and mental health issues that tended to spike depending on whatever… he knew when I was hurting more than normal and when my depression spiked. He was never trained for any of that. We went through some obedience classes and that was it. He did things like placing his head on my chest or if sitting my legs. He would walk in a heeling position with his head stretched up acting like a cane for my other hand. He didn’t do much wheelchair stuff because I couldn’t really use it in our house. But he did all these things and we still don’t know how. He just knew… Unfortunately he passed away a couple months ago. I doubt I’ll ever get over him passing. I would have gone with another Dobie but the stink people make about ear cropping or tail docking made me not want to deal with it. The look of a Dobie was part of the selling point. The cane and wheelchair makes me feel more like a target a Doberman while having a very regal look also scares would be criminals. Our GSD is doing well, I just can’t do some of the repetitive training. I’ve done a beginner obedience class with her but I haven’t found a trainer near me that can do the repetition that I can’t do. I provide the dog and whatever may be needed for a couple of hours every few days. They do the repetitive work with the dog and then either a class before or after working with me to ensure proper commands and use. Just the stuff needed to get her K9 good citizenship certificate. Maybe get her to a point I could start working on a service animal.

[@moragmacgregor6792]

I'm sorry you lost your excellent GSD friend. Wonderful that he intuitively understood your spikes in depression and pain. Good luck.

[@JK-zq9vw]

@@moragmacgregor6792 I still have my GSD. she’s just 8 mo. Old. She is learning it’s just very hard for me to do the repetition she needs. I can say she really works well with a task to accomplish. She plays catch for days if I could manage to stay up with her. She loves to chase the water from the water hose which makes my 2 yr old son laugh and chase after her and it as well, lol. My brother in law came over and went to try and play catch with her but she wouldn’t let him get to close to her….. however, when he went back inside I watched her as she followed the exact path he took through the yard from start to finish. Not sure what that means, wether it was nose work or just memory, Idk if it means anything or not. The place that we got her gets lots of full breed dogs in. I took my niece that’s visiting in to show her all the puppies… I actually got a tear in my eye when I saw they had the prettiest Little Doberman female. I sat and held her for like 45 minutes. She had that same amount of energy our Doberman had when we first got him. If I could have I would have rehomed our parrot and begged my wife for her. But her mother is in right now as well so she is less likely to let me do something that foolish in front of her. I still think if I could find her a good home with people who can work with her more, I would. Just to be fair to such a very smart bird, I think she would be a great demonstration parrot like at a zoo or Aviary.

[@jeffk464]

"You can get a Malinois. All you have to do is quit your job, find a mentor, and become a full time trainer." Also the reason the original Malinois were small is they were bred to herd sheep, 35lbs border collie will run circles around bigger herders all day long. You get around cattle anything to tall or to slow will get kicked in the head by the cattle and taken out, German Shepherds would last 5 seconds around cattle. There is a reason the Australian Cattle dog is small, quick and tough.

[@joshfloyd7755]

I agree with the idea, but the best cattle dog I ever worked was a Leapord Catahoula that was 32" at the shoulder. She did get kicked, but it was a horse that got her not the cows.

[@mikesheridan476]

Mentally work your dog 30 min you'll be good

[@IrisGallegos-i7i]

Amazing ❤❤❤❤😊

[@4972pennst]

Ken is the real deal I got my dog Ronco in 2010 from vohne liche kennels

[@TheSakufighter]

Interesting and I’m only 4 minutes in. Just the assessment right off the bat is impressive and I could tell this was/is going to be a great podcast. Learning a lot.

[@richardmarjen9183]

I've learned everything I need to know about my MaliHerd in this video alone than all the hours of youtube videos I've seen.

[@aaronpotter2000]

I love the movie “ Dog” I have the same issues as the main character. My German Shepherd gave me a purpose. I train with her every day!

[@JCreole]

Great podcast, Ken is the man 👍

[@sweetestdew]

This one might be my favorite. The day before I watched this I was just thinking that bite force isnt as important as people think. Yea maybe a rotty has a stronger mite then a GSP, but if a GSP bites you its still gonna suck

[@lindablake8799]

I thought ALPHA DOGS was a GREAT SHOW!!! I learned a lot more about dogs.

[@ChristaArts]

Awesome! 💚

[@MK9International]

Love this video 🙏🏻🐕🫡

[@bobruck666]

I am a Belgian 47years of age and my grandfather had Malinois dogs and he had nice black Bouviers , bouth Belgian breeds. And the malinois he had 30-40 years ago were not smal dogs. 65/70pound dogs. They were normal sise .

[@corystrachan605]

Haha Even Robert falls for the ole slip the nose under the elbow. My Doberman was notorious for it. I know I know its actually a sign of great affection and trust for the dog to do that but I had to give mine a alternative cuz Ill be drawing in pen and hell slip under and boop

[@kostaskarakostas3688]

Really great video!

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Glad you liked it!

[@giorgiaw]

Great podcast very interesting loved listening

[@tamarahollenbeck2988]

Love The Giant Schnauzer!!!

[@brendavojnovich5600]

I think I might have the German Shepard that is mixed with Malinowski She is beautiful and a sweetheart ❤

[@bigbadaddie]

I would love to hear more about the results of the 6 European breeds tested in the 80's. Ken mentioned GSD, Belgian Malinois, Rottweiler, Doberman, Giant Schnauzer, and Beauceron? I want to know more even though he loves the Mal.

[@ItsOkDoc]

Bouvier, if that’s what your were asking

[@JCreole]

Bouvier de Flanders great dogs I’ve own 3 of them.

[@Terrierized]

I'm realistic and down to earth.. I'll never have a Malinois and that's ok Awesome chat gentlemen

[@mrnoodle1906]

How do you train dogs to sell them or give them away. I would be too attached to let go

[@m-tminds3929]

I'd love to train with this guy his style an methods seem to be really similar to the way I've been learning and training

[@Elfin4]

what sort of collar and leash do you recommend for a German Shepherd? From puppy to fully grown. Will be picking up a puppy around 8 weeks old shortly and its my first dog !!

[@tommyandreassen7406]

This was good, much the same thinking as in dog mushing.

[@davidshattock9522]

The older lady that I know is very experienced with malanois has two currently

[@shermanbrown2539]

I Text my cousin today after watching a video of a Police Officer being attacked by a police dog. Intelligence 1st Then Apprehension After !!!

[@jamesclark9347]

All black malinois just became my latest, dog. My Dogo Argentino is 8, time to bring in a new pup.

[@JamesJohnston-bh2de]

Oh my

[@JamesJohnston-bh2de]

They say I shouldn’t own a a Mal Horse shot Marley was mal shep A Civie service My trainer We went to church A few years back When they we’re having troubles Brantley was deeply in love with Marley Bentley is still training And working with him in Holly Ridge Nc Marley passed

[@JamesJohnston-bh2de]

We went Sundays

[@JamesJohnston-bh2de]

Safest church

[@JamesJohnston-bh2de]

Robert Cabral Dogs are non denominational

[@JamesJohnston-bh2de]

May I introduce you to Redo

[@jennifermarshall4535]

I live in the UK and we are not trying to get rid of police dogs. Or get rid of sports dogs. On biting humans, we have a great outfit here called Protection Dogs Worldwide and they do a brilliant transition from biting equipment to biting flesh. Top drawer dogs who come out with on and off switches. They aren't sport dogs, yard dogs or guard dogs. Can't praise them enough. Verbal out and back to heel.

[@brendavojnovich5600]

I was told the breeder went to Germany to get her mother to breed

[@dawndakennemer2762]

NOT SAYING they were YOUR dogs Is also STOLEN VALOR ! Period !

[@brendavojnovich5600]

I have a good dog Should Ken be interested She’s under 2

[@johnkelly6187]

What got me to get a Mal was the fact that I had been around them in the military, and I also grew up with high drive real healers………I thought to myself, shit I got this👍😂😂😂. It didn’t have nothing other than will! Now I have a perfect female Mal, well associated with anyone that wants to pet her and could give a crap about other dogs. Has not been easy though.

[@leemartin366]

42 minutes in and change I don’t know. I’m a friend of bill also. Yeah keep it simple. Yesterday and today and tomorrow.

[@jamaal3270]

Hopefully the general public doesn’t get into Jagd terriers. They are not for the average dog owner, lol.

[@rebasmom4575]

I heard we left a whole bunch of dogs over in Afghanistan when we left. I hope that is not true.

[@chevy-is-a-good-boy]

We do worse to human soldiers...

[@rebasmom4575]

@@chevy-is-a-good-boy Yes, definitely that too, but they didn't get the choice to sign up or not.

[@k9teamzagrebskolazapse149]

Teaching police ,and military properly to handle the dog. lurn them to see proper too won't bee handlers.

[@jeffk464]

"Lassie" everyone wanted collies - you could do worse. Great breed that has become almost completely forgotten. Every Rough Collie I have bumped into has been a great dog. Also jagdterrier? the coolest working terrier is the Jack Russel, the biggest personality in the dog world. You spend too much time in German getting your dogs.

[@luckyorion9634]

Special Forces are only Green Berets.... Everyone else is called Special operations

[@wadestanton]

dog handlers in Ohio watched this IMHO

[@kingchiefk.c.7662]

I felt bad for dogs that were part of military police. mostly blood hounds and German shepherds but these dogs looked like some sad miserable sob's.

[@Rockstarnic88]

Why is he drinking from a jar

[@thecawckiestking]

As a visual artist, I had to laugh at "If you're an artist of any kind, you're a thief. If you're not, then you get left behind." Its absolutely 1000% true, but hardly any artist will ever admit to it and will aggressively throw a tantrum if some 13 year old on the internet copies a drawing pose or just happens to have a similar character design that they've convinced themselves only they are brilliant enough to ever think of. I've literally seen people on art websites go to war over things like draw an alligator with fur or a dog with antlers and call it an "original species" no one else is allowed to use/copy. If you want to see an artist go apeshit, just subtly suggest their work isn't that original or other people have done it/something similar before and watch them explode. People are fucking wild.

[@gmagee100]

Didnt this guy defraud the goverment of millions of dollars?

[@jeffk464]

Well, the military contractor who hasn't soaked the Pentagon for millions of dollars can throw the first stone. Also millions hah, Lockheed has probably overcharged the Pentagon billions over the years.

[@mrnoodle1906]

I treat my dog like a dog depending on the breeds.

[@whiskeytangofoxtrot4523]

Another great podcast Robert. Jocko just did a podcast titled 'Watch this first before getting a dog'. I recommended he get in contact with you about being a guest on his podcast. I think it would be a great discussion between you and him. I hope that would come to fruition. Keep up the great work and awesome training videos.

[@weedhigh2564]

as a very green dog trainer with a lot of road still in front of me, hearing 2 such legends talk and validate the way i think already feels so empowering, i have 2 really nicely trained rottie/labs that are most of all pets and family memebers but i trained them to protect us as well, i put a lot of work into my dogs and it translated well into training others as well, i can use my older dog as mentor (and i use it to train the younger one as well which is one hell of a dog and i would not be able to train her as much as i can without the older dog beeing a mentor). Mine can track as well, i have to thank my father for that, he's a hunter and he saw potential in the older dog and trained her to track and helped me train the younger one as well. I love training dogs thanks to mine beeing both such pleasure to train and even the cases of other people i had the pleasure to train so far, most of them are just misunderstood, when you help their owners understand them better you have done your job for the most part

[@mikefrost1312]

My buddy had a Rotti/Lab mix too & he was an amazing dog! Same guy, brought me a pup last year that's a Malinois/Rottweiler mix, not 50/50 but an "established" mix. He's only a year old now but he's already for sure one of the absolute best dogs I've ever had! Perfect mixture of family dog & crazy lol

[@KatJ3st]

Mentor dogs are gold.

[@Calvinmob681]

I've had working line German Shepherds, Mals, and Dutchies, and they are absolutely amazing dogs.

[@activedogzz100]

Man, you have been my inspiration when I didn’t even have a dog! Thank you for all your work and what you do!

[@SLATER_M]

The German Jagdterrier is a breed that is (here in Germany) often used to send them down into a foxhole to push the fox out of the foxhole to hunt them. I saw them working on several fox hunts and they are really fearless even if they are wounded by the fox. Great little working dogs that love their job. If the Dachshund does not get the fox out of the hole they always send a Jagdterrier in. They are crazy - but in a lovely way. 🙂

[@ARM_DM]

As a veteran and Malinois owner I thoroughly enjoyed this. So many good points to take from this video. Why would you get mad at a dog for biting you during bite work when that is what you are training then to do anyways. Valid. People were wrong about Malinois not being good trackers. Valid. People train one dog and they claim they're certified dog trainers. Super Valid!

[@Calvinmob681]

I agree. The only real issue with Mals and tracking is getting them to slow down. They like to do everything like the throttle is stuck on go.

[@weedhigh2564]

yeah to your last point, its good to know your limitations, so far i train 2 of my own dogs and i had a few family aquaintances and neighbours ask for help with their dogs when they saw the results on mine. i have 2 female rottie/labs, 9 and 2yo and they are both very well behaved and trained, i will not claim i have perfect recall with them, i will not claim i can train every dog and fix every behaviour, i know my limits and the road still in front of me to be a certified trainer is long and that is when the whole thing in my mind really starts for real. I have patience, time and 2 really awesome dogs to practice with, so i think i will be fine in a couple of years. People are not self-critical enough and they watch 2 videos, teach their dog to give paw and open a training studio for dogs thinking they are the next coming of Cesar Milan. Im not like that and i noticed in my community, mostly they think like me, like the "balanced is bad" wave has not hit here yet, sure there are those 4 single middleaged unmarried women that do "positive only" but mostly, the people that are really into it are balanced trainers, policemen, search and rescue, few soldiers, and those are kind of the guys i tend to run in the most at the club as we kind of tend to have the same schedule, and im quiet when they talk, i listen i watch and i learn. I know i need to learn alot so i try to do it whenever i can to speed up the process at least in that way as you really cant in many others. I tried to get my license earlier this year only to find out that the lady that does those is a positive only and has admittance exams to enter her course and what do you know, she failed me with flying colours. Hey, at least i saved a lot of time and 2k euros for a course that would give me only a paper at the end and no new knowledge. I'd rather have it the other way around, shitloads of new knowledge and she can keep the paper. I know that the "old guard" of trainers now looks at us newbies in terror and sadness, to be honest, i get it, i'd feel the same way but at least I for one, plan on sticking with the non political, do what is best for the dog part of trainers and i will keep on learning every day from every source i can.

[@SoBayK80]

I thought I was a competent trainer until I trained dogs who didn't care about my approval. Respect to these experts.

[@jayice1AKAJoeMule]

I am SFC(Ret) Jenkins. Ken is right. LAFB would scoff at new ideas. When I was there (97-2001), my mentor Rusty Smith/John Skidmore/Will Kartune, fought for the “Out and Guard” etc. The leadership at the time PUSHED back. Fast forward to 2012 when I was the KM for Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJSOTF) with 7th Grp. CSM Edwards asked me “Sarg why is your dogs so successful. And our’s aren’t”? My reply was “The Team Dogs are too bite oriented! The ODAs are calling me asking for a “Bite Dog”. When they have to get to the Op. The MP dogs I receive, can pivot from detection to attack/bite work”. And I’m not sure on the TEDD topic. Being FIRST. As I remember the SSD (Specialized Search Dog) concept came out of Israel. Send the dog long distance, independently with verbal and hand commands. The TEDDs I/ME/SELF encountered were not impressive. I be lame that on the HANDLERS!!! The handlers were often “Hey You’d”, or “Who likes dogs”. Then shot through a course. I ran into SEVERAL teams where the handlers walked the dogs so long on HOT ground. To the point the pads were RAW. That’s just one of SEVERAL situations. I’ll close with this. Yes I was a MP K9 handler. But I am/was an EXTREMELY open minded trainer. So I never shit on new stuff. I’ll leave it there. Good stuff and I agree with A LOT of Ken’s points. But I am 🤔🤔🤔 On that SF detection topic. Because I was in the Telecom with CSM Edwards, the CJSOTF Commander and the Pentagon about the dogs being too bite oriented. Also remember Lackland AFB trains dogs to be at a 3 level. BECAUSE THE POLITICAL BS OF FILLING MILSTRIPS has to BE!! HANDLERS fail dogs!!! The Soldier/Handler is to PROGRESS the dog to an independent level!! The War effected many of this.

[@GallowsPole805]

Did you bump into Stewart “Doc” Hilliard when you were at JBSA-Lackland in the late 90’s? Assuming you were w/ the 341st? In your opinion how has his influence on the training strategies & methodologies side of the house been? Hold him in high regard?

[@brehoutby3693]

Extremely interesting! I loved every minute of it. You are both brilliant trainers!!!

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@byrd702rebelcity4]

I bet the American 🇺🇸 Pitbull Terrier “APBT” would make an absolute phenomenal service dog! Maybe I’m biased but seems like they can do it all..

[@k9avengersdogrescue]

The Von Lich way is very efficient.

[@origink9]

Good episode guys. Awesome to listen while at work.

[@kevingrey9915]

I have been trying to create a social dog that can be in public situations and work with a pack. My current 2yr old Bouvier Des Flanders is stable in public situations and can still turn it on for bite work and guard dog situations. I definitely am favorable to Bouviers & Giant Schnauzers. I love all dogs though!

[@tomc3216]

Some people just don't have what it takes to be LE.

[@damieng657]

Jagd terrier- one of the best and most fearless hunting breeds

[@robinallen6723]

Should put them in all retail stores for loss prevention cheap cure to a country ending problem

[@jamaal3270]

I feel like I’ve had the privilege of seeing bouviers like that. I wish I had room for one.

[@hughp00]

What a great interview. Ken Lichinder is a truly humble guy just wanting to do a good job and used common sense to get there. How great is that!

[@tedcouncil1593]

Great interview as usual, Robert. I try to watch every one of them.

[@carin9568]

Alpha Dogs Awesome Show miss it

[@shermanbrown2539]

Air Force !!!

[@GBW175]

Nuba‼️

[@latreciachancey5874]

Love these podcasts!!!

[@jakhaughton1800]

My favourite service dog was Benno. His handler I think was Colin Macpherson. Benno was a character who was banned from Afghanistan for attacking some goats but he went back. He detected no end of explosives and had 43 bites. He was killed in action. Doing what he lived for.

[@kylealgie9101]

There's a great podcast about him from his handler..that dog sounded insane..big powerful..they use to let him drag dead bodies around as a reward ..crazy

[@menopassini9348]

I have 2 Malinois one is Alpha, but the Beta will Surprise you. Learned to climb ladders in 2 days then started running around the roof. Got the Neighbors talking.

[@LilyTheCat151]

Kind of weird that it never occurred to the military that dogs could be put out front to detect IED's. Considering bomb detection has been a thing for a long time. It's not a big step forward to train dogs to do it on their own. If one is training a small house dog then certain training methods can be used and others dispensed with. When it comes to working dogs then those methods aren't going to be enough. When it comes to police and mwd then those dogs are expected to use the threat of violence and actually do violence on people then they need to be trained in such a way that they don't kill unless that is what is intended. I think the use of training methods that cause pain to dogs is just wrong, but I'm talking about yoour average house pet. Police and MWD are not house pets. They need different training.

[@Michael.Bmore_Homes]

Robert you have the ultimate Connections in the Dog World 🌎 I own a 8 month old Boxer Dog and I have literally taken notes from you and even with a stubborn breed I’ve trained and coached MMA fighters for years and have decided at 45 years old I’m going to study the IOP do you think I should or focus on 1 of the 3 obedience, tracking or protection My Boxer has incredible drive I bought these dog for My mental health and she’s amazing

[@mikegrundner7186]

TEAM Dogs Rule. Short lives but So damn critical when integrated❤

[@eddieparsons2990]

My issue with law enforcement K9 use is probably more the handler more than the actual dog. There's too many instances of the dogs latching on and just not letting go even after cuffs are on. These dogs causing permanent damage on people and sometimes not even on the person they're trying to get, dog latching on to another office. Seriously, like WTF. It feels like they either spend minimal time with the animal doing any training. You see the dog never really releasing. They're getting the dog off in-between the times the dog is readjusting its bite.

[@koja6241]

I had a putbull years ago that tennis balls were his life, lol. Anyways, Bo was so good sniffing them out at our hunt camp in the middle of the Ocala national forest on a dark night I'd win money by letting someone throw the ball as far as they could throw it and turning Bo loose. You couldn't see him, but you could hear his collar jingling back and forth,and might have taken him 5 mins or 15, but he would come back every time.

[@nikoromanov]

you should invite joshua morton to your pod

[@corystrachan605]

Wow what a Golden Nugget this is.

[@nicksummerson143]

Absolutely loved this and can't wait for part 2. Amazing stories. What a legend!

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@amandabashore9832]

Total legend!!! Nobody will ever accomplish what this man has done for the k9 industry.

[@PepeDeezNutz]

I agree

[@IrisGallegos-i7i]

Love this. Story❤❤❤❤

[@kpfly1]

Rhodesian ridgebacks

[@leionrosegold7510]

Man this has helped me so much