Canine Search Specialist Training

1. Canine Search Specialist Training Unit 6: Direction and Control

2. Unit Objective Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to describe and apply the basic principles of direction and control for your search canine

3. Enabling Objectives • Explain the rationale supporting canine direction and control • Describe the importance of training in small increments, the use of motivation and effective reinforcement in teaching and combining the foundation skills • Effectively proof canine direction and control

4. Direction and Control • Ability of handler to safely send canine to an area at any distance • Ability of canine to understand and correctly respond to handler’s cues

5. Direction and Control (continued) • Enables the canine to • Cover areas that may be unsafe for the handler • Be directed to areas he may not have covered or away from areas previously covered • Be directed away from dangerous areas

6. Don’t drill your dog Don’t yell at your dog Don’t squash independence Keep it short and use MOTIVATION Direction & Control should be FUN!

9. Foundation Skills • Hup • Go out • Halt • Stay • Re-direct

10. Hup

11. To jump on an object at direction of handler Use toy motivation, but NOT placed on the object Canine understands “hup” when he will hup on object without handler body motion and from any position Hup

12. Go Out

13. Go Out • Canine will move away from the handler in the direction indicated • Train with motivation—use toys/helpers • Use opposition reflex • Canine understands the “go out” command when he consistently moves out in the correct direction

14. Halt

15. Halt • Immediate stop of motion in response to command • Train with motivation—throw toy immediately after dog stops on target • Canine understands the halt when he immediately responds to command from any distance

16. Stay/Wait • To remain stationary at the handler's command from any distance until the next command is given • Train with motivation—reward at the base or throw toy • Always vary the time increments

17. Stay/Wait

18. Re-direct

19. Re-direct • Handler gives signal for canine to go another direction • Train with motivation throwing toy or using helper • Canine understands re-direct when he consistently correctly responds

20. Combining Foundation Skills • Train all pieces simultaneously, but in separate sessions • Rarely combine all of them in same session • Plan your cues in advance, avoiding ambiguity • Avoid having the dog always return to handler for reward

21. Combining Foundation Skills (continued) • Use training field with lots of targets, but start with one and add on • Sometimes start between targets • Vary distances from beginning • Keep it motivational—ensure success

22. Remember! You can reward the dog at any time he is doing a correct behavior

23. Advanced Direction & Control • Advanced direction & control is being able to move the canine in any direction, anywhere

26. Proofing • Use different types of objects • Use unstable (but safe) objects • Vary locations • Send canine farther than regulation course • Add distractions (toys, animals, food) • Must be fair—handler should be willing to bet $20 dog will succeed

27. Field Demonstration

28. Unit Summary and Evaluation

29. Unit Summary • Explain the rationale supporting canine direction & control • Describe the importance of training in small increments, and the use motivation and effective reward system in teaching and combining the foundation skills • Effectively proof direction & control

30. Unit Evaluation Please fill out the evaluation on this unit