Breeding and puppy socialisation is a vital component of the MDC programme in Afghanistan.

MDC is a South African MDD organisation. During the recent years, MDC has significantly expanded its MDD capacity. During this process MDC faced major problems in finding suitable dogs at kennels. A lack of sound socialisation made many of the potential mine dogs unsuited for training. MDC thus decided to purchase young puppies and run them through a puppy socialisation programme. This has resulted in fewer dogs failing the training and a much easier dog selection process. The MDC has described the puppy socialisation process in an illustrated report to the GICHD. The report has been incorporated into the MDD book (see MDD book index, chapter 2, part 1).