This video pops up frequently in social media. What I like about it: -Time saving exercise with low requirement on the training knowledge of the care giver -Great use of social learning within the litter What I don’t like, based on my experience: – Difficult to capture performance data on the individuals in the litter […]

There are a few agencies that use food reward with their canines. These include ATF, USDA, and I believe the FBI. I like food reward and can see both the benefits and the liabilities involved. The main difference is how forgiving the dog will be with bad training/trainers. You have, in my very humble opinion, […]

The first AKC Detection Dog Conference revealed a basic dilemma: There was a considerable gap in the supply chain between the person who breeds dogs and the person wanting to train dogs for sale as a detection dog training candidate. That gap was the development period. Breeders like to sell puppies, whereas those training detection […]

I will start by stating that I was raised as an Air Force brat and was told I could never have a dog, because we moved so frequently. So, being an obstinate child, I asked for a dog for every birthday that I was old enough to speak. When I was 14 I “borrowed” a […]

The first AKC Detection Dog Conference revealed a basic dilemma: There was a considerable gap in the supply chain between the person who breeds dogs and the person wanting to train dogs for sale as a detection dog training candidate. That gap was the development period. Breeders like to sell puppies, whereas those training detection […]

The other day, Molly and I were working the puppies through Tractor Supply. As I got out Pitter Patter, an older woman was in the parking lot with a German Shepherd puppy. Her puppy was showing obvious aggression toward the Malinois puppy, so I moved quickly and got the pup in a routine of following […]

In a recent discussion by the AKC Detection Dog Task Force, the costs of raising a detection dog were brought up for consideration. I would first say that your return of investment is based on your effort. Your effort will be both your time and in having sufficient infrastructure to raise a dog. It brings […]

I have said it before here on this blog and it is often said in the dog training community that “The only thing two dog trainers can agree upon is what a third dog trainer is doing wrong”. That paradox makes agreement to methodology always under scrutiny and debate. There is only one way to […]

We built an outdoor scent/search area. A ten by twenty pop up with a raised deck floor with astro turf. Then the storms came and the pop did well, but needed a little repair. Its now set up and we have done about two weeks of training with Trip and Task inside it. Task is […]

The other day, Molly and I were working the puppies through Tractor Supply. As I got out Pitter Patter, an older woman was in the parking lot with a German Shepherd puppy. Her puppy was showing obvious aggression toward the Malinois puppy, so I moved quickly and got the pup in a routine of following […]