“The Big Picture: Scout Dogs” (1969), Eastman color. Key points covered in the film:

• Introduction to Sandy: A three-year-old German Shepherd receiving advanced obedience training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

• Role of Army Dogs: The film highlights the various roles of army dogs, including detecting hidden enemies and supporting soldiers in combat.

• Historical Context: Dogs have been used in military operations since World War I, with organized dog units becoming prominent in World War II.

• Training Programs: Detailed training programs for scout dogs, including basic obedience, scent detection, and combat readiness.

• Specialized Training: Dogs are trained for specific missions such as scouting, sentry duty, and tracking.

• Combat Operations: The film shows how dogs are used in real combat scenarios to detect enemies and reduce casualties.

1:46 – Introduction to Sandy, a three-year-old German Shepherd receiving advanced obedience training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

2:04 – Overview of the Scout Dog’s role in military history and training for specific military missions.

2:40 – Dogs are used to detect the presence of enemies and provide early warnings of impending attacks.

3:17 – Historical use of dogs in World War I and World War II, with organized dog units supporting combat operations.

3:44 – The 26th Infantry Scout Dog Platoon’s contributions in the Korean War, reducing casualty rates.

4:31 – Training of dogs for military purposes has become more complex and sophisticated.

5:09 – German Shepherds are trained as scout dogs, matched with handlers to form teams for combat units.

5:32 – Dog handlers are carefully chosen and trained in the mission and methods of a scout dog platoon.

6:12 – Basic obedience training for dogs, including responding to oral commands and gestures.

7:00 – Dogs are observed for traits that might interfere with their mission, ensuring only the best proceed.

7:42 – Dogs are trained to detect human scent and discriminate between animal and human scents.

8:13 – After basic training, dogs and handlers move to field training to simulate combat environments.

8:52 – Dogs are primed for their tasks with a working harness, preparing them for patrols.

9:13 – Dogs use their keen senses to detect enemies, providing early silent warnings.

10:14 – Dogs alert to hazardous objects set by the enemy, helping to keep soldiers safe.

11:01 – Training areas simulate hazards typical of those encountered in Vietnam, reducing American casualties.

11:38 – Dogs receive praise and approval from handlers as rewards for their work.

12:00 – Feeding and caring for the dogs, including special diets and veterinary care.

12:52 – Dogs are given specialized training experiences, including working from high places.

13:27 – Handlers receive certificates upon successful completion of the training program.

13:53 – Tracker dog training at Fort Gordon, using different breeds like Labrador Retrievers.

14:33 – Tracker dogs follow specific scents of enemy individuals, requiring longer training periods.

15:41 – Dogs are trained to follow tracks and alert handlers to the presence of enemies.

16:23 – Dogs are familiarized with the sights and sounds of battle to prepare for combat.

17:07 – Tracker teams consist of visual trackers, cover men, radio operators, team leaders, and handlers with dogs.

18:15 – Tracker teams pursue enemy parties, using dogs to speed up the pursuit.

19:12 – Dogs alert to enemy presence, allowing the team leader to request support.

20:06 – Sentry dog training for guarding installations and storage areas, with attack training if needed.

21:18 – Dogs are airlifted to assignments and receive additional conditioning in Vietnam.

22:17 – Dogs are accustomed to various combat conditions, including jungle, marsh, and mountain environments.

23:04 – Dogs adapt to different means of transport and receive special briefings for combat operations.

24:10 – Refresher training includes realistic field exercises in tracking the enemy.

25:20 – Dogs are trained to discover hidden caches of food, weapons, and personnel.

26:00 – Off-leash operations with transmitters to alert handlers to the dog’s findings.

27:12 – Dogs are valuable allies to soldiers, trained in a wide range of tracking and scouting skills.

28:15 – The film concludes with the importance of dogs in the Army, highlighting their contributions and training.