The use of service dogs in the Slovenian Armed Forces

Psi so naši zvesti sopotniki že več tisoč let. Njihova uporaba se je skozi zgodovino spreminjala. Spreminjala se je tudi njihova vloga v oboroženih silah. V zadnjih letih se je uporaba njihovih zmogljivosti v vojskah le še povečevala. Diplomsko delo obravnava predvsem uporabo in selekcijo vojaških službenih psov v Slovenski vojski in pregled tehnologije, ki se razvija, da bi pse nadomestila. Slovenska vojska danes uporablja sistem vzreje na domu, ki je zelo učinkovit, saj psom omogoča zgodnjo socializacijo. Med 6. in 12. tednom se sprejme odločitev, kakšno šolanje in naloge čakajo mladiče v prihodnosti. Pse se šola za obrambne namene, stražarsko patruljne namene, odkrivanje minsko-eksplozivnih sredstev in odkrivanje prepovedanih substanc. Njihov potencial je premalo izkoriščen za stražarsko patruljne namene. Premalo je tudi razmisleka o dolgoročni strategiji vzreje in zadovoljitve potreb po vojaških službenih psih. Različne države, agencije in znanstvene ustanove so poskušale in še vedno poskušajo nadomestiti službene pse, navkljub njihovim zmogljivostim. Tehnološke rešitve naj bi delovale dalj časa in bile cenejše. Slovenska vojska ne uporablja takšnih tehnoloških rešitev, niti jih nima namena uporabljati v bližnji prihodnosti. Namesto tega uporabljajo tehnološke rešitve, ki delujejo komplementarno z vojaškimi službenimi psi. Takšne rešitve so namenjene tako zaščiti vojaškega službenega psa kot tudi njegovi nadgradnji v 21. stoletju. Pripadnikom Slovenske vojske takšni sistemi omogočajo nadgradnjo lastnih zmogljivosti.Dogs have been our loyal companions for thousands of years. Their use has changed over the course of history. Their role in the armed forces has also changed. In recent years however, the use of their capabilities in the militaries has only increased. This thesis is focused on the use and the selection process of military working dogs in the Slovenian Armed Forces and the technology that is being developed to replace them. The Slovenian Armed Forces are currently utilizing a domestic breeding programme, which is more effective as it allows dogs to socialize at an early age. What role and training awaits the puppies in the future is decided between the ages of 6 to 12 weeks. Dogs are trained for protection purposes, guard and patrol purposes, mine and explosive detection and detection of prohibited substances. Their potential is underused for guard and patrol purposes. Not enough thought is given to the long-term breeding strategy and meeting the needs for military working dogs. Different countries, agencies and scientific institutions have tried and are still trying to replace service dogs, despite their capabilities. Technological solutions would work longer and be cheaper. The Slovenian Armed Forces do not use such technological solutions, nor do they have the intention to use them in the near future. Instead they use technological solutions that work complementary with military service dogs. Such solutions are intended to protect the military service dog as well as an upgrade into the 21st century. Such systems give members of the Slovenian Armed Forces an upgrade of their own capabilities