Detection Dog Training

Dogs can be trained to detect a wide range of subjects including people, money, weapons and illegal substances. Fully trained detection dogs are a valuable asset to search and rescue teams, police and security personnel. For a dog to be successful at scent training it must have an enthusiastic and energetic temperament to enjoy the training. A dog that is food oriented can be a good candidate as treats can be used as incentive to find the desired object, although a favorite toy can also be used as well. Training for a number of detection-based jobs can be done using the same method as each job focuses on getting the dog to find a scent.

Things You'll Need

  • Harness
  • Treats
  • Toy
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take your dog to a grassy area, such as a park. For the initial scent training, set out early when fewer people are around to distract your dog. Put your dog in a harness rather than a collar and leash. This will make tracking the scent easier for the dog as his neck and head will have more freedom. Unlike walking your dog, for scent training you want him to pull you in the scent's direction.

    • 2

      Give your dog the "stay" command and take five steps away from her. Remove your shoes and rub your feet on the grass in a particular area to make a small scented patch. Place a special treat on the scented area. Use a treat that your dog can smell easily, such as a small piece of hot dog. Go back to your dog and release her from the stay position. If the dog begins walking in the direction of the scented area give her verbal praise and say "find it." Allow her to take the treat once she finds it and give her plenty of verbal praise. Repeat the exercise several times but stop the training before the dog becomes bored or irritated.

    • 3

      Increase the challenge by asking a friend to place a piece of material under his armpit to make sure it has his scent. Ask the friend to go and hide and then present the material for the dog to sniff. Then tell the dog to "find it." If the dog succeeds in finding your friend, give him a treat or his favorite toy to play with along with plenty of praise. Increase the challenge further by increasing the distance between the dog and the subject, by replacing the friend with a scented object and by hiding the object among baggage or distracting objects.