Polar Bear Deterrent - Training Manual INSTRUCTOR GUIDELINES

MODULE 4

Deterrents

Courtesy of Dick Shideler, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

4.1.6 – Dogs

Polar Bear Deterrent - Training Manual INSTRUCTOR GUIDELINES

POLAR BEAR DETERRENTS

Power Point: A4.0 PPT - Deterrents – Visual / Auditory Slide Description 28 Title / Polar bear and Karelian bear dogs 29 Dog and handler – industrial site, 3 pictures of bears and dogs

Props:

Trainer Notes:

Module 4 4.1.6 Dogs US Fish and Wildlife Service - Alaska June 30, 2015 T4-18 Polar Bear Deterrent - Training Manual

4.1.6 DOGS For centuries, Inupiat of Alaska and Inuit of Northern Canada relied on the keen senses and courage of dogs for polar bear hunting and protection. Today the use of dogs is much less common; however, specially trained “bear dogs” are still used for detecting and hazing polar bears.

Dick Shideler, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Capabilities The arrangement of buildings, equipment, etc., in communities or industrial installations often restricts the ability of bear responders to detect the presence of a bears. Dogs are able to use their sense of smell to detect and locate bears that may be hidden from the bear responder’s view. This increases the safety of responders when working in areas with restricted visibility.

The sound of a barking dog can cause curious bears to be more cautious in their approach, stop or be scared off. Barking used in combination with pyrotechnical deterrents can drive off more determined bears.

Push To cause a polar bear to Well-trained dogs working with an experienced handler(s) can move a way from a situation also be used to push bears away from areas of human activity. where immediate risk is These dogs must be very responsive to the handler’s commands. posed to people or bears. The Arctic spitz-type breeds, such as the Karelian Bear Dog and the Norwegian Elkhound, are well known dogs used in human– bear conflict management. While these breeds are proven, there are individuals from other breeds that can be trained to deter bears effectively.

Module 4 4.1.6 Dogs US Fish and Wildlife Service - Alaska June 30, 2015 S4-18 Polar Bear Deterrent - Training Manual INSTRUCTOR GUIDELINES

POLAR BEAR DETERRENTS

Power Point: A4.0 PPT - Deterrents – Visual / Auditory Slide Description 29 Dog and handler – industrial site

Props:

Trainer Notes:  The training and upkeep of dogs may make them an impractical deterrent choice but they are still an option. The trainer has to be careful not to dismiss dogs as an option. The deterrent options available to industry and communities are relatively limited so we don’t want to take anything off the table.

 The USFWS must be notified if dogs are to be officially used for polar bear deterrence.

Module 4 4.1.6 Dogs US Fish and Wildlife Service - Alaska June 30, 2015 T4-19 Polar Bear Deterrent - Training Manual

Courtesy of Dick Shideler, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Limitations

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval to use dogs for polar bear deterrence must be obtained prior to their use.

Bear dogs are typically responsive to only one master; they cannot be passed from one handler to another. To be effective the dog and handler must develop as team, spending many hours together training and practicing the required skills.

Considerations Dogs brought onto the North Slope may carry diseases that can quickly spread to the local dog populations and therefore need the appropriate vaccinations.

Dogs are a high maintenance deterrence tool and require care to be effective. Further, effective deterrence with dogs is a team effort, where the dog and the dog handler play vital roles.

Module 4 4.1.6 Dogs US Fish and Wildlife Service - Alaska June 30, 2015 S4-19