This morning we dedicated the entire training to different building searches. I find this stuff more and more interesting.
Here are 2 videos. Comments, good or bad, always welcome of course.
(I always post this in 'tracking area', DanE remove if you want to...).
malinois
Dogs: I'm the trainer of a police canine unit. I don't personally own dogs
Posts: 201
First video: I liked the way the dog searched the room. I wish he would have spent a little more time sniffing each door in turn. Minor technicality, but tactically, it covers the area as you move. I like the way the dog responded to the door and stayed there.
Second video: Just something to think about. In this situation, you knew, the guy was further back in the building. Look at the video and look at the distance the dog covered, without searching, before he got to the search area. In an actual situation, if the handler follows the dog, he will be passing through an uncleared area. Makes sense? I like the way the dog works, he's serious and intent. I just don't like seeing them run through that much of an uncleared area.
Many thanks David, your info in this subject is always very useful.
As for my gsd, certainly agree. I never really concentrated a lot on searches with him but due to his back injury I'll be keeping bitework to a minimum and dedicate more training to searches.
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I like the way the dog works, he's serious and intent
That's what the video told me too, therefore I think it's worth the try.
Just a quick note to add to Davids, if the dog bolts like that in training at times make your dsearches quick. I at times will place a quarry right behind the entrance to the building. As the dog prepares to run down the hallway , the quarry taps him with a stick or makes a slap with the switch. This teaches the dog to go right into search mode as soon as he is released.
That's very interesting Phil, never thought or heard about it, but def. could make sense!
Do you personally have good experiences using this method with certain dogs? Anyone else?
I've seen the reasoning for this explained in a Leerburg video, it is a legit training concern. I don't remember the dog being tapped though, I think the decoy attacked the handler. I would think though that it's good to simply start the dog with finds near the entrance with the decoy initially making some noise to attract the dog's attention. I wonder how many dogs would be startled with the decoy coming up behind him, they may think it's a correction from the handler and react with avoidance. Of course Phil didn't say to whack the dog
That's what we do when the search is taking too long, the dog is losing interest, etc...
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I would think though that it's good to simply start the dog with finds near the entrance with the decoy initially making some noise to attract the dog's attention
Yes Dan. On the otherhand I think you have to be carefull with those "little noises to help somewhat". You could get a dog that uses his ears too much instead of his nose (my experiences).
Dogs: I'm the trainer of a police canine unit. I don't personally own dogs
Posts: 201
I'll just tag along with Phil's and Johan's comments. I've used the 'tagging' the dog if he rushes past an area without checking it. I've also used had the decoy attack the handler. Keep in mind this dog should be in full hunt mode. He's ready to go, and ready to engage. If he goes into avoidance for any reason, I'd be very concerned if I have the right dog in training.
Building searches, 2 videos (mal, german shep)
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