Right now I have three in training, on cadaver. All of the training aids are human remains, bone, teeth, tissue, placenta. Depending on your state, there are different regulations for possession.
Most of the dogs need super high drives, hunt and prey (or toy). You begin by introducing the scent in a container that the dog can smell, but not access the remains. As soon as interest is shown, reward! Major party! When the dog associates the scent with reward, you add an alert. (Cadaver, bomb, arson, prefer a passive alert as sit or down). When this is mastered, you begin adding distance. Narcotic dogs can work closely beside the handler, bomb and cadaver (HRD) dogs need to learn to range well. Disaster dogs must go work out of sight of the handler.
Once the basic scent is imprinted, problems like buried, high finds, and distraction odors are added. The dogs must work reliably in any situation, with other animals present, equipment and machinery running, many people and events going on. The dog must remain completely focused, cross any surface, and remain confident, all for a game of tug or ball tossed. Temperament and drive, strong nerves are essential!
Anyone can train this, you just have to make it through certifications. Of course for narcotics you must legally have access lol. NAPWDA is a great organization to work with and view their test requirements.
I'm not sure on the evaporated gas, I will try to find out. Scent is scent regardless, and basic training is much the same. Always make it fun! I don't use corrections when training. This is a game, and the way for them to have fun, is to learn why gets the reward the fastest. Timing is critical. Don't push the dog, and keep them wanting more.
Typical day is about 4-6 hours on scent work, for around 4-6 dogs. Usually we set a track, set out remains, narcotics, run a puppy track, and begin sections running hides. Puppy tracking in between. This is done about 4 or 5 days a week. Add in ranging drills, drive building, obedience, its pretty much full time lol.
I have Belgian malinois and Dutch shepherds, they are awesome dogs for detection.
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