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5th out of 65 books
—
10 voters
Soldier Dogs
A leading dog-blogger offers a tour of military working dogs' extraordinary training, heroic accomplishments, and the lasting impacts they have on those who work with them.
People all over the world have been riveted by the story of Cairo, the Belgian Malinois who was a part of the Navy SEAL team that led the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound. A dog's natural intelligenc...more
People all over the world have been riveted by the story of Cairo, the Belgian Malinois who was a part of the Navy SEAL team that led the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound. A dog's natural intelligenc...more
Hardcover, First Edition, 304 pages
Published
March 15th 2012
by Dutton Adult
(first published March 1st 2012)
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Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Wow! I learned a lot, more than I ever realized, about military working dogs (MWD) through this book. It is a fascinating report on the MWD program, touching a bit on its origins through to present day. The author mostly focuses on the dogs and handlers of modern day battles, but does report on the MWDs and handlers of past wars. There is coverage of the whole program from how the dogs are selected, to their "boot camp," to working with handlers and receiving combat...more
A leading reporter offers a tour of military working dogs' extraordinary training, heroic accomplishments, and the lasting impacts they have on those who work with them.
People all over the world have been riveted by the story of Cairo, the Belgian Malinois who was a part of the Navy SEAL team that led the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound. A dog's natural intelligence, physical abilities, and pure loyalty contribute more to our military efforts than ever before. You don't have to be a dog
Soldier Dogs, (please ignore the name, those of you who are affiliated with branches of the military which *aren't* army), is overall a entertaining and educational read. I had the pleasure of attending a lecture Maria Goodavage put on as a follow-up campaign for her book, and I can say that she is both intelligent and congenial. Soldier Dogs is full of facts from interviews because Goodavage just possesses that certain something that makes people let her in... a good characteristic for a journa...more
One day a Dear friend Erin told me about your book. I can’t remember the reason why, she suggested it, but she said it was a great book. So I read a little about it online and purchased it. It was an amazing book, filled with educ
ational information mixed with life stories and experiences. I am pretty sure I finished it in a weekend, I couldn’t put it down. Once it was over, I felt like I needed to know more. So I went back to my friend and she mentioned that she had a Malinois puppy who was sol...more
ational information mixed with life stories and experiences. I am pretty sure I finished it in a weekend, I couldn’t put it down. Once it was over, I felt like I needed to know more. So I went back to my friend and she mentioned that she had a Malinois puppy who was sol...more
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Take a look at your dog. Do you think they can be trained to sniff out explosives, narcotics, IED's, or perform patrol duties?
Soldier Dogs by Goodavage not only explains the history of U.S. war dogs, but has researched how the dogs are selected, trained, and what duties they perform. There are definitions of the type of work the dogs are trained to do. Some dogs are only trained in one purpose, while others may be trained to perform multiple duties. Goodavage explains what the military is looki...more
Soldier Dogs by Goodavage not only explains the history of U.S. war dogs, but has researched how the dogs are selected, trained, and what duties they perform. There are definitions of the type of work the dogs are trained to do. Some dogs are only trained in one purpose, while others may be trained to perform multiple duties. Goodavage explains what the military is looki...more
“Soldier Dogs” by Maria Goodavage, published by Dutton.
Category – Dogs
The book starts with a brief history of the evolution or increased use of dogs in war time. At first, they were used primarily as messengers until their present day duties as explosive detectors, narcotics detectors, combat trackers, and many more diversified and specialized duties. The author explains why some dogs are better than others at certain jobs and why some breeds are not even considered by the military. Although th...more
Category – Dogs
The book starts with a brief history of the evolution or increased use of dogs in war time. At first, they were used primarily as messengers until their present day duties as explosive detectors, narcotics detectors, combat trackers, and many more diversified and specialized duties. The author explains why some dogs are better than others at certain jobs and why some breeds are not even considered by the military. Although th...more
An admirable look at the role of dogs in military service, to say the least. It's easy to dismiss just what the dogs do -- sniff, search, etc., until you read some of the all-too-real stories about just how invaluable they are to the military. I can't deny that there were a couple of points where I got choked up reading this book, and I'm not even a hardcore dog lover (though, I do like dogs a lot). So, I can just imagine how a person who truly loves dogs might react -- fair warning.
At first I w...more
At first I w...more
Really well done book, about the value of the dogs as themselves, and as soldiers. The attachment of the handlers to their dogs is very plain, and well conveyed in this book. I was interested in the training aspect, as one of the Marine trainers (Gunnery Sergeant who overseas the headquarters where the US Marine dogs are trained) rarely does anything more coercive than a collar pop. They've found that connecting rewards to the Kong and to the handler's praise is far more effective in having good...more
The cover of this book screamed out to me at the Fort Lauderdale Airport-buy me. And I did. A cursory look was intriguing with color photos and it appeared to be pure fluff. Imagine my surprise that it was quite comprehensive and covered a lot of diverse ground about our war dogs in Iraq and Afghanistan-but it doesn't have an index, although there is a great bibliography. It should be called Lackland 101-at times it's a great summary of a field manual and an executive summary of the bureaucracy...more
Disclaimer from the start: I love dogs. I remember bawling my eyes out and just sobbing over Dan and Ann as a kid, reading Where the Red Fern Grows. I love a good dog story.
This book is written with a casual, easy to read style. (It's also a quick read.) She gives some of the history of military dogs from WWII/Vietnam to present day. (I was hoping it would discuss Cairo, the dog that went on the raid to capture bin Laden, but due to obvious security reasons, it didn't.) She discusses their trai...more
This book is written with a casual, easy to read style. (It's also a quick read.) She gives some of the history of military dogs from WWII/Vietnam to present day. (I was hoping it would discuss Cairo, the dog that went on the raid to capture bin Laden, but due to obvious security reasons, it didn't.) She discusses their trai...more
Soldier Dogs by Maria Goodavage a well known dog blogger brings us the story of the often unsung heroes of war the American War Dog, those working dogs that often are credited for saving many a soldiers life.
We hear of Cairo the dog that along with Seal Team 6 helped track and bring down Osama bin Laden, which brought into the news the effort of the war dogs. Maria gives us an insight into the training and life these dogs lead. We get to hear of the adoptions and how finally after the great loss...more
We hear of Cairo the dog that along with Seal Team 6 helped track and bring down Osama bin Laden, which brought into the news the effort of the war dogs. Maria gives us an insight into the training and life these dogs lead. We get to hear of the adoptions and how finally after the great loss...more
Tears were a small part of reading this book, since not every Military Working Dog (MWD)/handler team completed their tour, this is a worthwhile read. I felt that the stories were not as in-depth as I would hope, I still enjoyed reading the historical perspectives on the role of dogs in the military.
The overviews of the US-based acquisitions, training and deployments was interesting. There was a respectful approach to the realities of soldier\MWD in wartime. The descriptions of the bonds the oth...more
The overviews of the US-based acquisitions, training and deployments was interesting. There was a respectful approach to the realities of soldier\MWD in wartime. The descriptions of the bonds the oth...more
I saw Maria Goodavage on The Daily Show (of all places) and couldn't resist getting the book. Every one in my family seems to have some kind of dog gene, and it is a dominant gene for me. Also, I am in
California and missing my dog, so I am sort of in dog withdrawal. I really enjoyed this book and learned so much. The book has a lot to offer beyond information. It makes you much more aware of what soldiers, particularly handlers and their dogs, go through. I thought I understood the bond between...more
California and missing my dog, so I am sort of in dog withdrawal. I really enjoyed this book and learned so much. The book has a lot to offer beyond information. It makes you much more aware of what soldiers, particularly handlers and their dogs, go through. I thought I understood the bond between...more
Full disclosure, I'm a huge dog lover, so I already had in mind that I would really enjoy this book. The subject, working military dogs, was a lot of fun to read about and pretty informative as well. It was great to get some insight into the incredible bonds that develop between the handlers and dogs, and yes, I was moved to tears on more than one occasion while reading some of the more heartbreaking passages. The book reads more like a series of essays than a complete, thorough, history of mili...more
Subject close to my heart as a former EDD handler. The author did a great job capturing the feelings that handlers have toward their partners. The bond is hard to describe and for the current generation of handlers that have put their lives and fellow soldiers lives into their dogs care it is probably impossible.
She really did a great job describing the training. Reading what the instructors said and did was as if my old instructors were talking to me. If you want a better understanding of mili...more
She really did a great job describing the training. Reading what the instructors said and did was as if my old instructors were talking to me. If you want a better understanding of mili...more
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If you are interested in reading a non-fiction book that is easy, entertaining and informative, Soldier Dogs is the one. While the focus is on current use of dogs in the military, Goodavage takes you through its history from WWII, which in itself is quite interesting. The book is filled with information related to the training and treatment of dogs in the military as well as stories about the heroic efforts of specific dogs and their handlers. The book clearly sketches the life of a dog handler...more
When I got this I thought, 'oh, know. Better pick up a box of kleenex.' I was pleasantly surprised. Ms Goodavage could have focused on the sad stories, but she didn't. Instead, this is a fascinating and informative look at our military's use of man's (and woman's) best friend in war. From WWI through the current military action in Afghanistan, this book traces all the different ways these four-legged heroes have survived this country. What was more disturbing than the few tales of those who lost...more
Very, very good book. It is amazing that these dogs are asked to risk their lives over and over and over for no recognition and no reward other than a Kong. (The author never states whether a treat is ever put in the Kong, although from comments made throughout the book I'm guessing not.) The stories of the dogs and their handlers were incredibly touching, and I hope that all the dogs that come back from Afghanistan and other war zones alive are able to find good homes to live the rest of their...more
I first heard about this book when Maria Goodavage was on The Daily Show promoting it. She was a great guest and really sold me on it. Well, I wish the book was as good as her time on the show. Although it was an interesting read, I really didn't like the format of how it was written. It was kind of all over the place with no consistent narrative. It's more along the lines of this happened here, and that happened there as she weaves in and out of different Handler/Dog teams.
But for me, even thou...more
But for me, even thou...more
Maria Goodavage is not an author, but a blogger and her book, "Soldier Dogs," reads like a collection of blogs. I found the content of the book to be interesting. Her anecdotes range from humorous to depressing, but I don't think the informative-blog style of writing is engaging enough to move a reader to laugh or cry. I wish Goodavage had edited this book more thoroughly. Each chapter was short like a typical blog. Often I wished she had condensed the information that had been spread over sever...more
An amazing and easy read. Goodavage takes the reader through a history of Military Working Dogs, then dives into the lives and training of actual dogs. She hits on all the aspects of life for Military Working Dogs - their training, their selection, which breeds are the best for which type of work, their deaths, their designation as equipment and, finally, how to adopt one of your own if you're so inclined.
All in all, it's a solidly interesting read and an absolutely fascinating look at what goe...more
All in all, it's a solidly interesting read and an absolutely fascinating look at what goe...more
A fascinating book whether you're a dog lover or not. I'd always wondered how the dogs were chosen and then trained to sniff out narcotics or bombs, how their handlers were chosen, what happened to those dogs when they were unable to perform and I'm not embarrassed to say the last two chapters were weepy ones. Goodavage did a thorough job on research and gave detailed reports of her interviews with various researchers, DOD contacts and the legendary trainer Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Kristoph...more
Another book on soldiers and their dogs. This book was more technical then the last book I read as it dealt with a lot of different people and situations, both at home and overseas. I think this book may have dealt with the at home side more then overseas and definitely more with the dogs then their handlers. The downside of this format is there are too many "characters" and they all have nicknames so I couldn't keep anybody straight, but if you just read the stories for what they are, then you'...more
I just spent the holiday with my 6 nephews, who range in age from 12 to 26. It is no wonder why this book was a popular one with the group. I did learn a good deal about Military Working Dogs, but I couldn't get past the weaknesses in Goodavage's writing. She's passionate and seems to know her material. This work should have been gripping... It was often tedious. Goodavage desperately needed an editor. I couldn't give the book fewer than 3 stars because these dogs and their handlers are doing in...more
Soldier Dogs is a fascinating account of the history of war dogs and the effects of combat exposure on both dog and handlers. Along the way we meet several active and retired soldier dogs as Goodavage weaves in their stories while providing a backdrop of their training and war-time experiences. It is clear that the dogs are much more than the "equipment" label given to them by our military, as readers experience story after story of the battlefield bravery and heroism of these four-legged soldi...more
The subject is fascinating and the bravery of the dogs and their soldier handlers is inspiring. I only rated it three stars because the author's writing style doesn't do the subject justice. She bounces around between superficial bits of the stories, gives little history of the dogs, people, or the subject of dogs in combat, she inserts herself into the story too much, and there's no overarching narrative or structure. The subject of the book is interesting enough and dog lovers will like this i...more
I rated this book 3 out of 5 stars. Don't take this the wrong way, I did enjoy this book, and found it to be a good story of military working dogs, their training, and their handlers. I will probably alter the training of my own dog slightly after reading this book.
There are a few nit picks I have, however, which caused me to give 3/5 stars.
The book could have been improved by having more vignettes about the dogs and their handlers. That is what we, the read, want to know about: the dog and thei...more
There are a few nit picks I have, however, which caused me to give 3/5 stars.
The book could have been improved by having more vignettes about the dogs and their handlers. That is what we, the read, want to know about: the dog and thei...more
I won an ARC of this book from the publisher on Twitter. Full disclosure: I love dogs, so am totally biased in reading a book that celebrates their heroism, loyalty, and sacrifices. Goodavage weaves together stories from vets and handlers, her own experiences with her dog, and a variety of sources, including Alexandra Horowitz'd "Inside of a Dog." Goodavage's writing is occasionally too informal for my taste, but her subject is a worthy one and she reports on it with due diligence. p.s. I adore...more
This book caught my eye when I visited the post library at Fort Drum (NY) to do a presentation about the books I had written. I checked it out, took it home, read the first chapter the first chance I could, and was hooked! It would be a misnomer to call this an encyclopedia of military working dogs (MWDs), though it contains the kind of information you would find in a definitive reference book on these super canine heroes. The author, a former reporter for USA TODAY and the San Francisco Chronic...more
If you are a dog lover, you will appreciate this book. It is about military working dogs. I heard about this book on Jon Stewart's show and when I saw how emotional he got talking about it, I knew I had to check it out. He, too, is a dog person. These dogs are trained in a variety of ways, mostly to detect explosives, IEDs in particular. According to the Goodavage, they are not just saving the lives of our troops, they help the civilian populations too. When an IED is planted near a village, the...more
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