K9 Scent Training and Proofing

21/02/2025

In my early years as a trainer, I frequently encountered the “alpha” concept, where dogs received positive punishment for tasks they did not clearly understand, all to show who the alpha is.

This post is by a very talented dog trainer and friend.

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18/02/2025

The Power of Markers

Important note: This is not my video, but it illustrates the power of markers.

People have different training styles, but I favor markers due to their ability to clearly communicate and teach tasks quickly and more effectively. I often hear opposition, suggesting that it’s not suitable for every dog, but I truly believe it can be. Did the trainers in this video just get lucky and hit the genetic jackpot, acquiring the most intelligent chickens in the world? Or what about SeaWorld and their ability to get marine animals to execute different tasks? Did those trainers just get lucky too? Markers may not suit every dog, but I hope they at least spark your interest.

Bob Bailey / Parvene Farhoody Operant Conditioning workshops 2014Training by Jade Fountain of Animal Behaviour Matterswww.animalbehaviourmatters.com.auwww.fa...

12/02/2025

Many might be familiar with B.F. Skinner, an American psychologist and behaviorist who developed the concept of the ABCs of learning, which stands for antecedent, behavior, and consequences.

A – Antecedent
An antecedent is any stimulus or event that occurs before a behavior. When a behavior is maintained by the presence of antecedent stimuli, it is referred to as stimulus control. These stimuli maintain behavior because their presence signals an opportunity for reinforcement.

Trainers are said to use antecedent control to manipulate a subject’s motivational state.

B – Behavior
This refers to the way in which a person, organism, or group responds to a certain set of conditions.

C – Consequence
This is the relationship between an action and its result (cause and effect). A negative consequence, or outcome, can be described as an unpleasant or difficult result of a previous action (responsibledognet).

This conceptual framework is important in any dog training task, and I hope to provide some insight into how it applies to scent detection.

The final response or indication is often muddled by trainers or handlers who misapply the ABCs. For example, the simple equation:

Odor + Response/Indication = Reward

Sounds straightforward, but it is here that response issues arise, such as false responses or hesitation in offering a final response.

The equation gets confusing to the dog when additional factors are inadvertently added.

Odor + Leash Tension + Handler Position + Other Potential Handler Actions + Response = Reward

Thus is why I often say the stars have to align for some dogs to offer a responsese to odor
Understanding and managing these variables is crucial for successful scent detection training.

08/02/2025

How can we build commitment to odor? Do we give an obedience command like stay and reinforce it with a reward? If so, we face a dilemma—is the dog truly committed to the odor, or just following the handler’s command?

I prefer not to rely on obedience commands for this but instead to develop commitment in the foundational stages using opposition reflex and leash tension.

Opposition reflex is a natural response in dogs, causing them to push against pressure or resistance they feel—whether from a lead, collar, or any other force acting on them (Simply Dog Articles). In simple terms, if I pull in one direction, the dog’s natural reaction is to pull against it.

So why is this important in dog training? As handlers, we can sometimes develop tunnel vision during searches, thinking we know best or trying to direct the dog to areas we believe are productive. In doing so, we might overlook the fact that the dog is already in odor and attempting to bracket. If we rely on an obedience-based stay, the dog will feel the leash tension and easily break to follow the handler to a different area.

However, a dog trained with opposition reflex will react differently. When bracketing in odor, instead of being pulled off, the dog will push forward against the leash tension, driving toward the source of the odor.

In this video, you’ll see me acting as a third party, touching and petting the dog both in and out of odor to get him used to physical contact. Markers allow for precision, helping capture the exact moment the dog is sniffing at the source—eliminating anticipation behaviors and keeping the dog calm, making shaping easier. This session wasn’t my best by my standards, but you can see how I applied leash tension, and the dog drove back to the source. You’ll also notice the leash tension being applied and marked.

06/02/2025

When you see the light, there’s no going back. I came up in the detection world rewarding at the source—where the reward is thrown or lobbed directly at the source of odor. I was told many things, like how the dog believes the reward comes from the source of the odor rather than the handler.I’ve seen third-party rewarding, where someone other than the handler throws or lobs the reward at the source of odor. While good dogs can be trained using this method, it has many flaws. It builds anticipation behaviors, as seen with the first dog, which looks and waits for the reward. I call that the Stevie Wonder with how the dog moves their head due to the anticipation. Some handlers use what I call the “Nolan Ryan fastball”—where the dog offers a final response, and the handler throws the reward hard and fast. This often causes the reward to bounce off the odor source, further reinforcing anticipation behaviors in the dog.

A bridge marker eliminates anticipation and removes the need for the handler to rush to get the reward out of their pocket or pouch and throw it to the odor source. The bridge marker tells the dog the exact moment in time they are being rewarded for.This video shows a dog trained with rewarding at the source. The second dog was originally trained this way but was later transitioned to markers. While the dog initially had anticipation behaviors, its response was cleaned up using markers, providing a clearer picture for the dog.I like using a flipbook analogy when explaining markers. Markers allow us to pinpoint exact moments in time for the dog. Without them, the pages become blurred, and the dog may become confused about what behavior is truly being reinforced.

01/02/2025

There is a significant distinction between teaching a dog to do something and forcing a dog to do something. While you may achieve the same result, it comes at what cost? The goal of dog training should be to instruct a dog in a task without diminishing any of the dog’s potential. We should aim to have the dog actively participate in the training session. I employ a training method that communicates to the dog that he is about to engage in a session where it has the potential to receive a reward, thereby making it an active participant. In this older video featuring Benji, you can observe his increased drive and energy, indicating his readiness to engage in the session.

22/01/2025

*Working to revise and refine this post. Stay tuned.

After the target odor has been imprinted and proofed, I move to the next foundational step: open area searches. This step helps teach the dog to work independently of the handler, a concept that was also introduced during imprinting but on a smaller scale.

Controlling the variables and environment during foundational training is essential, which is why I prefer to use a football or baseball field.

Even though the dog has been proofed on the target odors, they don’t yet fully understand how to search in a larger, open field. I incorporate a mix of on- and off-leash training, but it’s critical to teach the dog how to follow a proper search pattern in the field.

You can begin by teaching the line-quartering pattern without using any training aids. Once the dog is proficient with the pattern, you can plant an aid about midfield. A line-quartering pattern involves walking the field on-leash horizontally until you reach the end. Then, take 5–10 paces forward and work your way back horizontally in the opposite direction. When your dog encounters the odor and displays a head throw, encourage them and allow them to pull as they bracket toward the source.

Below is a video featuring my dog, Benji, and another working dog I helped train. The video demonstrates them bracketing to the training aid.

Off-leash work is valuable, but the dog shouldn’t be on a chaotic “search and destroy” mission, running aimlessly with no clear purpose. This type of behavior is often mistaken for independence. In reality, the dog hasn’t been properly taught how to work independently. Think of it like this: in any profession, we wouldn’t expect someone to be hired and immediately figure out everything on their own. Proper training and mentoring are necessary to build proficiency before someone can truly work independently.

Marker training plays a key role in this process. It allows you to mark the exact moment when your dog reaches the source or offers an alert/response, reinforcing the desired behavior.

I hope this explanation and the video provide some useful training insight. I’ll also work on creating better visuals to further illustrate the line-quartering pattern.

20/01/2025

One of my favorite areas to introduce and train is seating, especially movie theater or stadium-style rows. When done correctly, it can look like the dog team is dancing through the rows, moving in rhythm and harmony. On the other hand, I’ve seen handlers struggle—getting the leash caught on seats and disrupting the flow of the search—or dogs sprinting through the rows like it’s an agility tunnel.

Some might say I do this off-leash. While I’m not opposed to off-leash work, it’s important to move through the proper stages of training in any area: teach, train, and proof.

The first reps and trials should be done blank (with no training aids). The goal here is to help the dog acclimate to the environment and learn what rows of seats are and how to navigate them. It also gives handlers a chance to refine their leash handling and manipulation skills.

This is the Cliff Notes version of how I’d introduce seating searches after the environmental work has been completed.

Starting at the bottom of the picture, an aid would be placed on the first seat. Several reps and trials can be done here to teach the dog that the first seat is meaningful and not something to zoom/sprint past.

Next, you see an aid planted in the middle of the row, about halfway up. This helps teach the dog that the middle of the row is also meaningful and should be searched carefully, not rushed. As mentioned earlier, I’ve seen dogs run through rows as if they’re navigating an agility tunnel, which this setup helps prevent.

Finally, the last aid at the top, near the end of the row, reinforces that the dog shouldn’t bolt out of the seating area into another search zone.

This is a condensed version of how I’d approach training in a seating area. For the middle aid, the handler/trainer should watch if the dog encounters odor early or shows a change of behavior. Keep in mind that some dogs may pick up the odor several rows back, depending on airflow. Also, once a dog is proofed and proficient, I would avoid placing so many aids in such a small section. The picture is not to scale either. I would ensure proper spacing so the aids can be planted effectively to teach the search pattern.

The goals of the environmental aspect:
To make the dog environmentally sound, ensuring they are confident and not fearful of the seating setup.
To build the handler’s confidence in leash manipulation skills.

The goals with the training aids:
The first aid teaches the dog not to blow past the initial seat or area of the search. The middle aid trains the dog to search productively as it works through the rows. Finally, the last aid ensures the dog doesn’t bolt out of the seating area, leaving it like a tunnel.

When taught effectively, it’s a beautiful thing to watch. The dog naturally finishes one row and “hooks” into the next, creating a seamless flow. That’s why I refer to it as a dance.

19/01/2025

I try not to be Stephen King and write a novel with these posts but instead aim to make them like my training sessions—short and, hopefully, impactful for the reader. Quality over quantity.

This comes more from a working dog perspective, but it’s still applicable to the sport world. I’ve seen many trainers with standards that sound good. For example, handlers may be required to train on all odors (narcotics or explosives) monthly, with a set number of trials for each odor.

However, due to logistics and work schedules, trainers often try to meet that requirement by using all the training aids in a single session. Unfortunately, this approach creates a training deficiency in the dog. In a small search area, when aids are placed too close together, it becomes like an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show: “Look under your chair—there’s a training aid!”

All humor aside, this overplanting leads to a real deficiency. If a dog is conditioned to finding multiple aids in a short amount of search time, what happens when it searches for 10 minutes and doesn’t find anything? Often, the dog starts false-indicating because it’s been programmed to expect constant success.

Hopefully, this picture provides a visual of how training aids can be overplaced, even in a large area. Trainers, don’t use your entire kit at once. Instead, focus on building search time between each plan. Incorporate longer searches with just one aid or even blank searches to keep your dog sharp and realistic in its training.

Note - This is not how I would plant but showing how aids can be over panted and too close together. What issues do you see or how would you plant in a similar building or warehouse?

18/01/2025

Are you being methodical when planting or hiding your training aids? I’ve shadowed some detection handlers and trainers during their plants/hides and asked, “Why did you place the aid there?” The responses surprised me, as many said, “Oh, it looked like a good place to put it.” This means there was no rhyme or reason for the placement other than it looking like a good spot.

For every aid placement I make, I ask myself: Am I working on height, depth, objects, open areas, vehicles, etc.?

Now, consider the pictures below. Where would you choose to place the aid, and why? Personally, I’d go with the last one to teach depth in the early stages. This also helps the dog learn to follow the seam of the drawer when it’s closed. I’ve seen some trainers start at the very front and slowly move it back, but why do it that way when we can make depth part of the foundation from the beginning?

I’ve also seen training sessions where the aids were placed too close together throughout the entire search. If you were to time it, a dog searching for 10 minutes or more without finding anything might start to false indicate or respond because he has been conditioned to finding aids in such a short amount of search time.

I would challenge trainers to be methodical and have a clear goal for each aid placement.

16/01/2025

I’ve observed flawed logic in scent training, where a dog is imprinted and proofed on odor using tubes, boxes, or similar methods, and it’s then assumed that the dog is capable of searching everywhere—vehicles, bedrooms, stadium-style seating, luggage, and exterior areas. This approach often sets the dog up for failure. I believe the stages of training—teach, train, and proof—should be applied consistently across all detection environments.

For instance, I’ve seen trainers build a solid foundation, only to undermine it when introducing something new, like luggage. Often, there’s no clear method or progression; the luggage is simply tossed on the ground, either individually or in groups. Since this is new to the dog, they may scratch or paw at the luggage. The handler’s immediate response is often to apply positive punishment, such as leash pops or physical pressure with a choke chain or collar. This exaggerated reaction can cause the dog to shut down and become avoidant of luggage or suitcases. Over time, when the dog brackets to odor during searches, they may not be as confident or precise, anticipating potential punishment.

This strong foundation and commitment to odor, initially built through careful training, is then undone by the handler’s poor response. Personally, I prefer to introduce luggage in familiar areas by placing it on nose-level furniture or chairs. This allows the dog to gain exposure and understand what the items are. Once the dog confidently works the luggage in this controlled setting, I progress to placing it on the floor. While some may view this as an unnecessary step, I believe it’s crucial to break tasks down into manageable stages to set the dog up for success.

06/01/2025

22/12/2024

Continuing to strengthen time, distance, and duration to build a solid foundation. A common mistake I notice in scent training is asking the dog to discriminate (search among different tubes or boxes) before he truly understands or has been proofed on the target odor. Why should we expect the dog to discriminate if he hasn’t fully learned the target odor? Once the target odor is solidly proofed with time, distance, and duration, we can move to open areas to further develop his foundation, independence, and ability to work away from the handler.During one repetition, he broke away to explore a different area but recovered on his own. I could have redirected him to regain his focus, but I believe it’s more impactful for him to self-correct. I want him to value handler input but not rely on it—he is the one with the nose, after all.I also see value in incorporating further touching and petting to desensitize him, which will allow the trainer to assist him more effectively in the final response (sit).

28/11/2024

A great training mentor once told me that the heel is your signature move. You can tell who takes pride in their training and obedience by observing their heel work.

The training concept of successive approximation involves teaching from simple to complex. This foundational approach is key to teaching hindquarter awareness. For example, Rocky is rewarded for even the slightest movement of his hindquarters, gradually building the desired behavior.

As I mentioned in a previous video, I used to display obsessive-compulsive tendencies in training. I aim for perfection in each session, and if I’m recording, I want the video to be flawless as well. However, it’s important to show that we all make mistakes. Videos can be a great way to learn, improve, and catch things you might not notice in the moment. Most people who have asked me for training advice or questions about remedial training ideas know my first question is: “Did you record the session?” I hope this will serve as an encouragement to record your training to see the growth of your dog and you as a trainer.

In this video, I did drop some of the food rewards, which can be frustrating because it can cause the dog to hunt around on the floor for more food instead of engaging with the trainer or handler.

26/11/2024

Some humor for my narcotics handlers.

22/11/2024

Not training but his first time seeing snow.

17/11/2024

This video isn’t meant to be groundbreaking but rather to emphasize the importance of properly introducing equipment to dogs. For example, Rocky used to hesitate or walk away when I brought out the collar. Collars, harnesses, and similar equipment are often things we take for granted as trainers or handlers, but they can be a source of stress or fear for some dogs.In this video, I demonstrate a simple concept: using a marker or clicker to associate putting on the collar with a reward. The goal is to transform the fear, stress, or anxiety of the collar into a positive experience. Over time, this will lead to Rocky calmly sitting in front of me, eager for the collar to be put on. I also marked the moment I unfastened the collar to ensure he doesn’t associate taking it off with something negative.On a broader level, I’ve seen detection dogs trained on a 6-foot leash struggle when suddenly introduced to a retractable or 15-foot leash. This can create confusion because the dog wasn’t properly acclimated to the new tool.On a more advanced note, there’s the e-collar. In the hands of a skilled trainer, an e-collar can accomplish amazing things. One of my training mentors once said, “A scalpel in the hands of a proficient surgeon can work wonders, but in the wrong hands, it can cause dire consequences.” Unfortunately, I’ve seen instances where a dog struggles to complete a task, and the e-collar is immediately cranked to the highest setting. Without a proper introduction, the dog has no idea who, where, or why the stimulation is coming from. This leaves the dog looking confused and panicked, like they’re running through a minefield, stripping away their potential in any type of training—whether it’s detection, obedience, or bite work.