06/29/2024
Good advice from a professional.
Recently on a social media post, a handler asked about training a TFR (Trained Final Response) and whether it was better to train one before or after introducing odor. I wanted to respond.
That is actually two very different questions...
Should you train a TFR? The answer is complicated. Keep in mind that my answer is focused on SPORT.... meaning, Nosework, also called Scent Work, NOT Pro application.
First of all, there is no one correct answer. You must always train the dog in front of you. Dogs vary in their searching style, information processing, type of focus, and drive levels. What is right for one dog may not be for another.
TFR's really fall into two categories: Handler Selected and Dog Selected. When the handler selects the TFR (usually a freeze, sit, or down), the handler also selects the timing and manages the criteria for the alert behavior. For example, the criteria might be the sequence (1) dog locates source with nose on source, (2) dog sits. When the dog selects the behavior, such as a Look Back or Paw, the dog decides the timing of the alert behavior. Meaning that the dog will Look Back at the handler when the dog believes that they are "good enough" and essentially asks the handler for reward.
Both Handler Selected and Dog Selected TFR's have drawbacks.
Handler Selected TFR's are REALLY EASY to train badly. Most of the time, the breakdown occurs because the criteria for nose on source BEFORE the alert behavior gets forgotten OR the handler is so focused on teaching the behavior that the dog starts to value the behavior over sourcing the hide. Sure, you can read it... but if not trained and MAINTAINED, fringe responses (alerts off source) are common.
Dog Selected TFR's are equally challenging because the dog may skip the sourcing criteria completely and based on reinforcement history may start to alert on pools of odor. This is especially common when handlers don't have an effective communication system to keep the focus of the dog on sourcing. (We will have to talk separately about marker systems because I truly believe that a good marker can fix a good many issues!). The upside of the Dog Selected TFR is that the behavior that the dog gives is generally an easy "Go To" behavior for the dog, unlike Handler Selected TFRs which can be costly behaviors to the dog.
Also.... DRIVE MATTERS.
I learned a concept from a working dog trainer (Tazzie Winkler.... we hosted her on the Podcast!) that a TFR caps drive. When you have a TFR on a very high drive dog, the stationary and focused behavior helps to channel the arousal and focus, and allows the high drive dog to then effectively continue working once released from the behavior. It's an incredibly helpful tool in that case. I taught a Nose Freeze on containers to Powder and instead of her going nuclear on containers, the freeze contains all of that energy and I can work her in drive. I also see it when doing the Refind sequence with Prize when she is doing her SAR work. Her TFR in that case includes running back to me and Downing at my feet before I cue her to lead me to the subject. However, these are VERY high drive dogs and that level of drive is pretty uncommon on the sport side. What I generally see when I see dogs taught a TFR in sport is that instead of capping the drive, the TFR actually reduces the energy overall and in low drive dogs reduces the dog's desire to work all the way to source.
Why do handlers seek a TFR?
Generally handlers seek a TFR for one of two reasons in Sport.... (1) they can't read when their dogs are at source, or (2) the dog is being destructive. For either of these reasons, make sure you are applying the right fix and not causing new and other issues.
If you can't read your dog, it's either because you haven't learned yet and don't realize the your dog really is giving you a ton of information, or it's because your dog lacks confidence and motivation and is therefore non-emotive in searching mostly because much of their focus is on safety or because motivation just hasn't been built.
If the dog is destructive, a TFR might be a necessity. But ask yourself if the dog is destructive because you haven't communicated properly? Box smashing for instance can be a frustration response. A pawing behavior is a Dog Selected TFR... have you reinforced it? Good marker mechanics, timing, and minimizing frustration can help. However, you might HAVE TO train a TFR in order to replace current behaviors with a new one.
For Sport Dogs, my general recommendation is to focus your education on understanding what your dog is telling you.... build confidence and motivation and learn how to properly communicate with a good marker so that you can avoid frustration and can avoid building in destructive behaviors. TFR's have their place.... and they are seductively alluring because they look sexy (when done well) and they can seem so easy to read.... but a TFR is fraught with danger because you have to do it WELL and you MUST maintain it. If your dog is giving you a Dog Selected TFR naturally, make sure you have a good system of communication (like a marker) so that you can reinforce your criteria for sourcing.
If you have your heart set on a TFR, get the help of a qualified trainer because if you don't do it well, you are going to feel the impact of your training mistakes for a very long time. And the more complicated the search or the level, the more likely you will have issues.
As to the question of when to train one... that answer has to do with the hunt drive in your dog, the desire to work odor, and your dog's natural degree of handler focus. If you have a dog with high hunt drive, high desire to work odor, and naturally independent.... it won't matter when you introduce a TFR. If you have a dog with lower natural hunt drive, more visual, or more naturally handler focused, introducing a TFR before introducing hunting will generally turn into a mess of false alerts as the dog may default to the behavior when frustrated or just when they want the cookie.
In the end, you have to make the right decision for YOUR DOG. A good TFR is pretty awesome.... but they are a double edged sword. And if you want to go down that path, have a plan for maintaining it.
