When I was in the Army, I spent some time at Ft. Bragg. Some of the Special Forces trainees told me about how the medics were trained using what was called "Goat Lab." I confirmed it was true, at least back in 1975. I don't know if they continue to do it today.

Back then, a Special Forces medic trainee in Phase B of his training was issued a goat. The instructor then shot the goat. The trainee had to do whatever medical procedures were necessary to keep the goat alive.

The local Humane Society knew about it and had worked with the Army to make the lessons as humane as possible. They also worked with the Army for our survival training - we were issued a live chicken and had to kill it, clean it, and eat it. A few people got a rabbit but I got a chicken. We hadn't eaten for a couple days, so of course the chicken had no chance. The Humane Society was concerned that we killed the animals in a civilized manner, so that's what we were taught.

As monstrous as using live dogs for killing practice is, I've read of worse things in recent history. For example, guards in Nazi concentration camps were evaluated on their brutality. Those deemed insufficiently brutal were likely to end up as prisoners themselves. Once they were trained to be sufficiently brutal, they were often transferred to other camps.