To elaborate on this somewhat :
so if you had 2 suspects hidden in the same building, the dog should always find the closest hidden suspect in order for the exercice to be perfect?
Even f.e. when the first one is harder to track/search (f.e. high scent)?
Just asking some questions that come up in my mind, hope I don't sound stupid ;-)
Dogs: I'm the trainer of a police canine unit. I don't personally own dogs
Posts: 201
That would be my goal, yes sir. Look at it from a tactical safety point of view. Do you want to have the "enemy" behind you while you are looking for one in front of you? I wouldn't think so. Clear and move up.
sorry, little language problem :-( -> do you guys mean really avoid the decoy when he should show up ?
The term avoidance can be applied to any situation where the dog experiences concern for his safety and shows it. Avoidance is demonstrated with as little as putting down the ears and looking away to full out escape. In the case of agitation or training avoidance is something we try to stay away from at all costs, we always want the dog to go forward in response to stimulation.
So in the case of a decoy popping out and tapping the dog with a switch before the dog saw him, avoidance would be the dog yelping and running away even a small distance.
Dogs: I'm the trainer of a police canine unit. I don't personally own dogs
Posts: 201
Quote:
Originally Posted by DanE
So in the case of a decoy popping out and tapping the dog with a switch before the dog saw him, avoidance would be the dog yelping and running away even a small distance.
A dog like that would be removed from my program. Actually, it would have never made it far enough in training to be in a building search.
When doing this multiple times f.e. , isn't there a chance the dog will be wanting to stay next to his handler in order to protect him instead of leaving to search? (hope you understand what I'm trying to say).
Dogs: I'm the trainer of a police canine unit. I don't personally own dogs
Posts: 201
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johan DK
When doing this multiple times f.e. , isn't there a chance the dog will be wanting to stay next to his handler in order to protect him instead of leaving to search? (hope you understand what I'm trying to say).
Thanks, Jo
A solid dog is going to want to hunt. I don't see that as a problem. Your not going to have the handler attacked every time you do a building search. Training should be set up to allow the dog to find the decoy in short order, then expand the search, much like we do with drug and explosives detection. You train from easy and often, to long and not as often.
> Excellant reply David! The tap is only done occasionally to remind the dog there could be someone close. If done enough the dog will on several occasions respond to someone hiing behind the door or close by instead of searching down the hall with his eyes.
> I have never had a dog go into avoidance when tapped with the switch or the whip smacked on the floor. Startled for a second or 2 yes, but they did not hesitate to engage once they regained their focus.
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