How to Get the Most Out of the K-9 Behavioral Shaping Device (B.S.D.)

January/February 2017 - ISSUE 60

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Scent Detection How to Get the Most Out of the K-9 B.S.D. Part 1 13

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January/February 2017 - Issue 60

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HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE

K-9 Behavioral Shaping Device (B.S.D.)

By Jason Ferren & Jason Johnson

T

he K-9 B.S.D. is one of the best systems out there that can be used in a variety of areas of scent detection training. I also feel that this system is under used by many handlers and trainers who may have purchased one or have one at their facility.

In this series of articles, we will highlight the benefits of using the K-9 B.S.D. and how you can get the most out of your equipment.

The K-9 B.S.D. is much more than a reward from source device. When used properly it can greatly cut down the amount of time it takes to imprint a green dog in scent detection or introduce a new odor. The system is a great tool for troubleshooting common problems such as handler cueing or being used during extinction training. Recent modifications have been made to the device that further allows us to train independent search patterns to include buried aids or Improvised Explosive Device detection.

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One misconception is that the K-9 B.S.D. is used exclusively for imprinting K-9’s on narcotics or explosive detection because that is our focus in Law Enforcement. However, the B.S.D. methodology can be used to imprint a K-9 in any odor that is desired for detection work. Some other odors we have used the K-9 B.S.D. to train include cadaver, alcohol, bed bugs, antler sheds, and truffle detection.

The limits and the possibilities to using the K-9 B.S.D. device are endless. With the proper techniques and methodology, a K-9 can be imprinted on any odor you wish to detect, granted you select the proper K-9 for scent detection work. K-9 selection is the foundation that will ultimately determine how successful you will be as a detection team.

Therefore, in Part 1 of this article we will be focusing on how to select the proper K-9 to train with the B.S.D. and we will follow up with subsequent articles on “How to Imprint a K-9 Using the B.S.D. (Part 2)”, “Troubleshooting and Maintenance Training with the B.S.D. (Part 3)” and “How to Use the B.S.D. to Create an Independent K-9 (Part 4).”

Photo Credit: Jim Scott

Selecting the Proper K-9 for Scent Detection Training with the Behavioral Shaping Device Each trainer looks for different attributes when selecting a dog for detection training. Some trainers desire a super high drive toy driven K-9 that at times could be hard to keep on a pattern or get them to out because of their drive. Some trainers look for a lower drive K-9 that is more methodical and thorough. Each attribute is personal preference and depending on what your operational environment is can

“Each attribute is personal preference and depending on what your operational environment is can really dictate what type of K-9 you need to look for.� really dictate what type of K-9 you need to look for. Another personal preference is the breed of the dog, the sex, and the size. A dog does not have to be purebred and titled to be great at scent detection work. It does however need to have certain drives and characteristics we will go over thoroughly.

There are two important attributes that I believe every K-9 should possess outside of their drives. Environmental and Social Confidence are characteristics vital to every scent detection K-9.

When I was the Lead Instructor at

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Here is an example of a K-9 Testing Evaluation matrix that can be modified to fit your individual needs or desires for your Scent Detection K-9. at the ATF National Canine Academy and in charge of K-9 Procurement, I failed more dogs out of the program for lack of environmental and social confidence than for any other reason. If a K-9 is weak in this area it can be very hard to overcome throughout your training or during operational searches. You should test the potential K-9 in an area that is neutral and not an area it is comfortable in, such as its home or kennel. I like to test the K-9 in three main areas to include: Tactile Stimulus such as escalators, elevators, slick flooring, grated flooring, stairs (both open and closed), and how they load in and out of the vehicle or crate; Auditory Stimulus such as loud noises, sirens, alarms, and other audible distractions that would prevent them from working; and Visual Stimulus such as confined areas, dark rooms, tunnels, and how they react to other animals and people both friendly or neutral.

When selecting K-9’s for detection training, I suggest you create and extensive evaluation worksheet to use for each dog you evaluate.

I score them in 20 areas on a scale from 0 to 5, needing a minimum passing score of 60 out of 100 possible points in both environmental and social confidence. It is important that the K-9 is not less than a score of 2 in any area which would automatically remove it from consideration for scent detection training. If there is an area that can’t be tested due to not being available, I simply give the K-9 a 3 in that area so it does not influence their overall score positively or negatively.

The evaluation scale may seem tedious, but it is an invaluable tool if you are testing multiple K-9’s. Having this record allows you to review and compare attributes prior to selecting the right K-9 for your mission.

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K-9 EVALUATION RECORD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL CONFIDENCE K-9 NAME/TAT #:

BREED:

SEX:

DOB:

TEST LOCATION:

TEST DATE:

0 Failure Strong Avoidance Panic/ Aggression

RATING SCALE: 1 2 3 4 Negative Slow Average Positive Reaction Reaction Positive Reaction After After Reaction No Strong Mild Little to no Encouragement Encouragement Encouragement Encouragement TEST

5 Excellent Reaction Dog Initiates Strong Drive MIN. SCORE

RATING

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Tactile Stimulus Escalator

0

1

2

3

4

5

Elevator

0

1

2

3

4

5

Stairs (Open)

0

1

2

3

4

5

Stairs (Solid)

0

1

2

3

4

5

Moving Surface

0

1

2

3

4

5

Slick Surface

0

1

2

3

4

5

Grated Surface

0

1

2

3

4

5

Vehicle Loading/Unloading

0

1

2

3

4

5

Hidden Noise - Car Horn

0

1

2

3

4

5

Hidden Noise - Bucket

0

1

2

3

4

5

Running Vehicle

0

1

2

3

4

5

Siren

0

1

2

3

4

5

Fire Alarm

0

1

2

3

4

5

Verbal Distracting Stranger

0

1

2

3

4

5

Total Out of 40 Possible Auditory Stimulus

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Total Out of 30 Possible 18

Visual Stimulus Confined Areas

0

1

2

3

4

5

Neutral Stranger

0

1

2

3

4

5

Friendly Stranger

0

1

2

3

4

5

Other Animals

0

1

2

3

4

5

Dark Rooms

0

1

2

3

4

5

Tunnel

0

1

2

3

4

5

Total Out of 30 Possible

Total Out of 100 Possible

* A score of “0” or “1” in any category is an automatic failure. * If an area is unavailable, score a “3” in that category and indicate with “NT” – Not Tested * An overall minimum score of “60” is required to pass.

I

like to do the environmental and social confidence test first. I feel that many times these areas are overlooked or given less consideration when going through the K-9 selection process. Often the focus is more on the dog’s drive. However, consider that through training and repetition we may be able to increase a dog’s innate drives, but getting them to overcome a fear they may have of slick floors or escalators could be something much more difficult to get them comfortable with. Therefore, that is the reason I recommend you properly evaluate these areas first before you proceed with selection with each individual K-9. Once you have determined that the K-9 is acceptable in its environmental and social confidence you can evaluate the K-9’s drives for Scent Detection work.

There are FOUR MAJOR DRIVES that need to be tested and considered when selecting the proper K-9. I believe that each is just as important as the next and are all required to make a quality scent detection dog.

- FOUR MAJOR DRIVES -

FOR TESTING & EVALUATING K-9 DRIVES FOR SCENT DETECTION WORK - HUNT DRIVE -

- RETRIEVE DRIVE -

The HUNT DRIVE is simply put as the drive to pursue. It is one of the most important because it requires the K-9 to use all its senses to find prey.

Most importantly its nose, which is key to any type of K-9 training.

RETRIEVE DRIVE is the desire of the K-9 to bring the prey back to the pack or the handler. A K-9 gets satisfaction upon returning its ball, Kong, jute, or towel back to you. This drive greatly helps keep the K-9 motivated during the scent detection training process.

- AIR SCENT AIR SCENTING is the desire of the dog to hunt using its nose and to follow airborne currents for scent rather than sniffing the ground.

This drive becomes very important when we are teaching the K-9 to be independent in its search area and are encouraging them to pick up an air scent and follow it to source.

- PREY DRIVE The PREY DRIVE is the desire to chase or subdue the prey, but don’t confuse it with play drive. In the prey drive the dog will become fixated on an item with a desire to bite or kill the prey. Once the dog becomes target locked on the prey (or reward toy used in scent detection), it will pursue the item over, through, and under anything it physically can.

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Each of these drives should be tested in a neutral area to the K-9, just as the environmental and social confidence testing was conducted. Areas to consider may be a park, open field or somewhere enclosed where you can let the dog off leash and evaluate these drives. It is ideal to have several different reward options with you such as a ball, ball on a rope, Kong, jute, etc. The K-9 should show a high level of interest in the reward and become fixated on it as if it were prey.

Every K-9 may respond differently to the reward and you must determine which one works best for them.

I prefer to use a ball on a rope and engage in a game of tug coupled with verbal praise, once the K-9 returns the reward back to me.

You should be able to determine if the K-9 possesses the right drives to be trained for scent detection after a short session of throwing the reward toy out for the K-9 to retrieve and hiding it in tall grass or concealed areas to evaluate their hunt and air scent drive. Remember that through training we can enhance or diminish these drives but they

must be at least present in the dog during your evaluation process.

Once it has been determined that the K-9 is environmental and socially confident, and possesses the proper drives for detection work there is one final step I would take prior to purchasing or selecting that K-9. It is extremely important to thoroughly review the K-9’s medical records. If possible take the K-9 to your vet or a third-party vet to have x-rays, blood work, and a health check done. You are about to dedicate a lot of time into this dogs training and want to be sure it is in top healthy before you make your final decision.

One other factor to consider when evaluating a dog for scent detection training with the B.S.D. is its obedience. If the dog doesn’t have a lot of obedience on it initially that is ok, but it is something we will want to ensure is in place before we introduce them to the B.S.D. system. Simple commands such as sit, stay and come are all that is needed to get started with odor imprinting process, which we will pick up in the next issue of Police K-9 Magazine.

“It is extremely important to thoroughly review the K-9’s medical record.”

TO RECAP on How to select the proper dog to train in Scent Detection using the K-9 B.S.D. • The breed, sex and size are all preference of the handler based on the operational needs.

• Testing the environmental & social confidence in a dog is just as important as the drives, if not more.

• The dog should possess each of the Hunt, Air, Scent & Prey drive to be a successful scent detection K-9.

• Conduct all tests in areas that are neutral to the K-9, which they are not familiar with to obtain a good gauge of their abilities.

• Be sure to review the K-9’s medical records or have an independent health check done by a Veterinarian of your choice to include blood work and x-rays.

Jason Ferren is the owner and head trainer at the K-9 BSD Training Facility. To host a K-9 BSD Trainer’s Course or attend one at the K-9 BSD Training Facility in Paducah, KY: Please contact Jason Ferren at (270) 554-8500 or email: info@k-9bsd.com Jason Johnson is the one of the nation’s foremost experts in scent detection for Police and Military K9’s. As such, he has helped develop along with Jason Ferren the K-9 BSD Scent Detection Trainers Course curriculum and is the Lead Instructor for the K-9 BSD Trainer’s Course and Advanced K-9 BSD Trainer’s Course.

Email: Jason@K-9SI.com - Websites: www.K-9SI.com | www.projectk9hero.org

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