Host Meg Grier interviews Dennis Blocker, a military war dog trainer and handler with experience in Iraq and Afghanistan and author of three books. Dennis shares a story from his time guarding the US Embassy construction site in Baghdad along the Tigris River. He explains how he and his German shepherd Taurus identified a suspicious motorcyclist with explosive residue on his hands — using the concepts of "JND" (Just Noticeable Difference) and "COB" (Change of Behavior) in dog handling.

He draws a parallel to faith: just as a handler must spend time with their dog to recognize subtle behavioral cues, we must spend consistent time with God to recognize when He's communicating with us. The episode closes with a reflection on relying on God the way dogs rely on their owners.

0:00 Show intro — "God and Our Dogs" on Bernie Radio

0:07 Mission statement & show overview

0:38 Guest intro — Dennis Blocker, war dog trainer & author

1:10 Welcome & conversation begins; favorite stories from three books

1:56 Dennis introduces the theme of trust — in God and in your dog

2:21 Reading dog body language — how dogs communicate through movement

3:22 Explains JND (Just Noticeable Difference) and COB (Change of Behavior)

4:22 Connects JND/COB to recognizing when God is speaking to us

5:07 Story begins — Checkpoint Miami, guarding the US Embassy in Baghdad

5:58 Suspicious motorcyclist arrives; Taurus begins growling

6:34 Dennis positions Taurus downwind; reads the dog's cues

7:28 Taurus alerts on handle grips — explosive odor detected

8:09 Suspect's hands test positive for multiple explosive residues

8:56 Meg draws the spiritual lesson — time with God = recognizing His signs

9:36 Discussion on growing closer to God over time

9:51 Book three update — Dennis's son handles publishing to Amazon

10:33 How to contact Dennis & find his books (DogsOf2Wars@yahoo.com)

10:59 Closing thought: "PAWND-ER" — how is your dog relying on you today?

11:24 Sign-off, show info, and how to find Bernie Radio

Host: Meg Grier - Stories@GodAndOurDogs.com

Website: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072683640098

God and Our Dogs airs every Saturday at 11:15am on Boerne Radio 103.9FM - www.boerneradio.com.

Air Date: 05/30/26

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