Cpl. Angelo Melendez is one such handler. He and his dog, Rocky, are in the Marine Corps -- and the pair knows the value of hard work and commitment spending an average of 8 to 14 hours a day training together (standard for most dog-handler teams). But Melendez considers his job a real "privilege," keeps his work in perspective, saying "there's no other job like it."
The effectiveness of Melendez's focus and positive outlook hasn't gone unnoticed by his superiors. "He has an exceptional relationship with Rocky," says Officer Brandon Owens, chief trainer for Camp Pendelton's K-9 unit. "Rocky doesn't only listen to him because he has to, he does it because he wants to, and that goes a long way. That's a key thing we look for in a dog/handler relationship."
So what's behind Melendez's successful training philosophy?
"Handlers learn to love their dogs, Melendez said. ‘If you can't," he added, "then this job is definitely not for you."The effectiveness of Melendez's focus and positive outlook hasn't gone unnoticed by his superiors. "He has an exceptional relationship with Rocky," says Officer Brandon Owens, chief trainer for Camp Pendelton's K-9 unit. "Rocky doesn't only listen to him because he has to, he does it because he wants to, and that goes a long way. That's a key thing we look for in a dog/handler relationship."
So what's behind Melendez's successful training philosophy?
- via Rebecca's War Dog
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