Zasko, a military working dog trained in the detection of explosives, had identified a stash of explosive powder hidden inside a propane tank. The tank was tucked under some weeds inside an abandoned building, used by insurgents to stage attacks against coalition forces.
 
“The HME (homemade explosive) was actually something he had never seen before, so we tried to familiarize him with it,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Holm, Zasko’s handler. “Once we familiarized him with it, we took him into the back yard. We came around the corner and he started pulling toward a large pile of weeds.”
 
Though Zasko, a Belgian Malinois, did not sit down in front of the weeds, which is how he signals a find, he was interested enough for Holm to notice.

“He started bracketing, which is where he goes side to side, sniffing like he has an interest in something. He did not go to a final response, but he showed enough change that I had someone check it out,” Holm explained.
 
“Sure enough, that’s where the HME was,” said the native of Malbern, Ark. Following the discovery, Zasko received the two things he wants most: Kong, a large rubber toy attached to a rope for tug-of-war play, and the praise of his master, called “dad” by the dog-handling community, Holm said.

“He could care less about his toy some days. He just wants dad to pet and play with him. He’s a very affectionate dog,” said the 26-year old of his 7-year-old partner.

For Zasko the whole search is a big game that ends with a toy and dad’s affection. Working dogs are conditioned on