Title: Canine Search Specialist Training
1Canine Search Specialist Training
Unit 3 Role of the Helper
2Unit Objective
- Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to
describe the function of the helper
3Enabling Objectives
- Demonstrate proper communication, technique, and
timing - Inside the remote alert box
- In an alert barrel
- On the rubble pile
- Effectively reward a search canine
- Improve reward-timing skills
4Introduction
- Thinking, communicating, timing and technique are
key words to remember
5Importance Of The Helper
- Roles of handler, helper and trainer overlap
- There is an art and science to being a good
helper - Learning to be a good helper improves timing and
your ability to read canines - In alert training the helper is focus of canines
attention
6- TO REPEAT
- In alert training,
- the Helper
- MUST BE
- the focus of the canines attention
7Definitions
8Definitions
- Helper
- Handler
- Trainer
- Cueing
- Encouraging
- Reward
9Helper
- The person(s) who assist(s) the handler when
training the canine - Teaches canine to bark for someone other than
handler - When using remote alert boxwill be inside box or
on rope - When using alert hole or barrelhelper is inside
hole or barrel - In the rubble pilemay be visible or concealed
10Handler
- The handler is the person for whom the canine is
working
11Trainer
- Person who makes decisions regarding which
technique is used to get canine to perform a
specific task - Trainer may be the handler, the helper, or a
third person who is observing
12Cueing and Encouraging
- Cueing
- Technique used by handler or helper to
precipitate a behavior - Can be as obvious as banging a door up and down,
or as subtle as body language - Encouraging
- Occurs when canine has already independently
started the desired behavior
13Rewards
- Can be toys or food, or a combination of both
- Tug toys are preferred over retrieving toys for
two reasons - Reward is given at the same spot as the find and
can continue there with a game of tug - It is not safe for the canine to chase a
retrieving toy across rubble
14Rewards (continued)
- Food rewards should not be messy
- If crumbs are dropped, the area will be
contaminated for the next canine - Airtight containers are recommended
15Qualities of a Good Helper
16Qualities of a Good Helper
- Thinking
- Communicating
- Timing
- Technique
17Thinking
- Planning, executing, and evaluating the training
sequence
18Communicating
- Helper to
- Trainer
- Handler
- Canine
19Helper communicating with handler and trainer
- Understand goal of exercise
- Know how goal will be accomplished
- Know how canine will be rewarded
- Repeat instructions
- Establish who has authority to change plan
- Develop contingency plan
- Debrief exercise
20Helper communicating with canine
- Convey positive attitude to canine
- Be enthusiastic and supportive
- Learn how to reward different canine temperaments
- Be aware not to overwhelm or over-stimulate the
canine - Debrief the exercise
21Helper communicating with canine
22Timing
- Timing can make or break an exercise
- Rewarding canine at correct and precise moment is
critical - If timing is off, helper may be encouraging
unwanted behavior
23Technique
- Techniques must be adapted to canines
temperament and level of training, and the goal
of the specific training session
24Temperament
- Soft
- Hard
- Stimulus threshold
- Drive level
- Manners
25Adjust technique to temperament
- Space
- Energy
- Eye contact
- Weight (forward or back)
- Stance
26Helper Prey
- Helper (prey) moves
- Side to side or away
- Teases with toy movement
- Stops movement hide toy to frustrate
- Barks restart action
27Two toy game
- Command to drop toy
- Command to end reward game
28Level of training
- Imprinting
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
29What is the goal?
- Alert
- Agility
- Intensity
- Ignore distractions
- Helper interaction
30General Helper Principles
31General Helper Principles
- Check equipment
- Understand reward system
- Understand exercise goal
- Plan to achieve goal
- Repeat instructions
32General Helper Principles (continued)
- Ensure good timing of reward
- Be enthusiastic and focus on canine
- Be flexiblehave plan B
- Understand how the exercise ends
33Specific Helper Roles
34Specific Helper Roles
- Remote Props
- Alert Barrels
- Alert Hole
- Rubble Pile
35Remote Control Prop
- Trainer controls access to helper
- Helper delivers reward
- Good for inexperienced helper
36Alert Hole or Barrel
- Helper controls access
- Coordination
- Timing
- Limited visibility
- Must control lid!
37The Rubble Pile
- Safety
- Agility
- Coordination
- Timing
- Technique
38Reward Systems
39Toy
- Should be
- Semi-Rigid
- Durable
- Easy to hold on to
- Able to poke up through rubble
40Food
- Must
- Be self contained
- Be easy to swallow-no chewing
- Not contaminate area
- Be high value food
41Canine Training Techniques
42Training Techniques
- Runaway
- Pop-out
- Call out
- Bait and switch
- Cold shot
43Runaway
44Pop-out
45Call out
Hey!
46Bait and switch
47Cold shot
48Dog leaves wanting MORE!
49Time for a video!
50(No Transcript)
51Unit Summary and Evaluation
52Unit Summary
- Demonstrate proper communication, technique, and
timing - Inside the remote alert prop
- In an alert barrel
- On the rubble pile
- Develop an effective canine reward system
- Improve reward-timing skills
53Unit Evaluation
- Please fill out the evaluation on this unit