indication station

[Admin]

Before I move Murphy onto buried, we need to solidify his indication routine without him choosing to bring me the scent source, spitting it at me, digging for it, etc.. If he continues on this path and finds sources he can't get to, then he'll be tempted to dig. That could destroy evidence or ruin it if his teeth marks on a bone hide a knife cut. So, Murphy now gets to do some rounds of indication stations. These are structures created to allow scent to travel out where Murphy can pick up on it, but to hinder his getting to the source itself. This style of training also forces me to begin introducing blanks to young Murphy. Six brick structures were created today using some surplus bricks I had on hand. These bricks have mortar cuts on three sides, so that can also be useful for scent travel. Two of the brick structures will have a suet cage in the base with human bones in them. One structure will have a blank suet cage in the base. One structure will have teeth and a phalanges in the groove, placed such that scent can puff out the groove on two sides. Two structures are totally blank. Near each structure I've placed two flags crossed for one with scent in it and one flag straight up for a blank. As concrete material is porous and tends to absorb scent, I'll have to keep track of the bricks I've had sources in for use on future rounds. - Jim Delbridge

I've included some photos so you can see the structures.
Overall placement

Tooth structure showing groove:

Tooth structure showing placement

Structure for bone:

Bone structure showing source: