Carol Boche

I placed this here as to get more comments from the trainers and handlers that have experience of the different drives in the working dogs and choosing them for programs. This can apply to LE dogs, SAR dogs and any other odor detection based discipline program.

Got into a semi-debate today while working dogs.

Situation is as follows:

Dog #1 (2.5 yrs) that "hunts" a ball for over 5 minutes, still looking when given a little direction and has not stopped at all. This dog did NOT see where the ball was thrown as he was held away from the search area. This dog carries a ball EVERYWHERE and would rather chase a ball than pee first thing out of a crate or kennel in the am. May be more "hard headed" than dog #2 but will do ANYTHING for a ball or tug. \
This dog is small (53 lbs) and is a Lab.

OR

Dog #2 (1.5 yrs) that hunted for 45 seconds and then went back to person for approximately 15 seconds but went back to "hunting" when told to do so. This dog knew the person had the ball but did not see where it was thrown. This dog will possess a ball but drop it to investigate things, do his business ect.... and may or may not pick it back up. This dog also will focus on a ball when interacting with the person throwing it but does not necassarily bring it back right away.

This dog is larger (60 to 63lbs) also a Lab.

Both dogs were asked to "go find", and are just being started in odor detection based disciplines (one bird hunting and one cadaver). They are both intact males.

DEBATE: Which dog would you pick and why? AND, is there a difference when asking the dog to go search for bird scent as opposed to human remains scent or narcs?

Personally, I would take dog #1 as I like HIGH possession of the toy as I feel it makes it "easier" to train with but obedience may be a challenge. Although, I agree that dog #2 could be built up in the possession department with some hard work but obedience would be easier.
I also feel that odor detection is odor detection whether it be bird, narcs, HRD or any other specific scent you want the dog to search for and indicate on, although there are subtle differences in the training process, you need a dog that has the "will" and "want" to hunt until the "reward" is found.

(I posted this over on another forum as well and am interested to see what opinions are out there)

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