Post by oksaradt on Nov 2, 2010 13:31:22 GMT -5
I have to give a recount of last week because it just gave me warm fuzzies all over and still does. I got the opportunity to work with some great professional dog teams for four days.
The group consisted mainly of accellerant dog teams and HRD dog teams. It's always fascinating to watch another dog scent specialty perform what they do best.
As the bulk of the dog teams were those doing this as part of their job, hidden agendas, excuses, and egoes were the rare exception rather than the norm.
With the HRD group, there were five border patrol officers in their late 20's and early 30's. Each and every one of these guys would make John Wayne proud. They were all in great shape and worked out when waiting to test their dog. All were extremely polite and willing to share dog tips as well as listen.
I have to admit though that I'm jealous of them in one regard. To a one, all could raise their voices in higher octaves than I can when rewarding their dogs. I just wish I had a little movie to show civilian handlers (who are embarrassed to reward properly as they fear it will make them look silly.) All these guys run the deserts with their dogs, where catching cactus quills in their uniforms and dog's fur is an expected risk, not to mention coyotes both two-legged and four when policing our borders. Those quills can crawl up your uniform and skin as you run then work their way into your flesh, nearly impossible to remove without a knife.
Differences abounded in that they believe in the "poof method" of rewarding where the dog is expected to believe the reward comes from the scent source. They go to great lengths to keep this charade going. My dog knows full well that the reward is bouncing up and down in my hand while he toils.
They work their dogs on-lead much more than I do because our government believes that canine investment must be well protected, BUT the dogs can work off-lead as needed. These dogs are the best the DOD purchases and checked for scent work before they start their training. That my scruffy oversized 'dale could perform similar scent work just made me proud.
After leaving there we raced to another state where Murphy, Thorpe, and I enjoyed great food, great company, and great training with other handlers of similar caliber. If those handlers continue to spoil me, I don't see any reason to ever teach at a seminar again. I like helping others, but the egos, whining, false hopes, etc. have just worn me down. I think I'll prefer traveling around to decent handlers setting up blinds for them and them for me, exchanging ideas and methods, and more good food, good drink, and excellant company.
That Murphy got to be tested finding a grave at an archeological dig was just icing on the cake.
(oh yea, I'm told he passed, but I'm waiting on the paperwork to confirm.)
Jim
The group consisted mainly of accellerant dog teams and HRD dog teams. It's always fascinating to watch another dog scent specialty perform what they do best.
As the bulk of the dog teams were those doing this as part of their job, hidden agendas, excuses, and egoes were the rare exception rather than the norm.
With the HRD group, there were five border patrol officers in their late 20's and early 30's. Each and every one of these guys would make John Wayne proud. They were all in great shape and worked out when waiting to test their dog. All were extremely polite and willing to share dog tips as well as listen.
I have to admit though that I'm jealous of them in one regard. To a one, all could raise their voices in higher octaves than I can when rewarding their dogs. I just wish I had a little movie to show civilian handlers (who are embarrassed to reward properly as they fear it will make them look silly.) All these guys run the deserts with their dogs, where catching cactus quills in their uniforms and dog's fur is an expected risk, not to mention coyotes both two-legged and four when policing our borders. Those quills can crawl up your uniform and skin as you run then work their way into your flesh, nearly impossible to remove without a knife.
Differences abounded in that they believe in the "poof method" of rewarding where the dog is expected to believe the reward comes from the scent source. They go to great lengths to keep this charade going. My dog knows full well that the reward is bouncing up and down in my hand while he toils.
They work their dogs on-lead much more than I do because our government believes that canine investment must be well protected, BUT the dogs can work off-lead as needed. These dogs are the best the DOD purchases and checked for scent work before they start their training. That my scruffy oversized 'dale could perform similar scent work just made me proud.
After leaving there we raced to another state where Murphy, Thorpe, and I enjoyed great food, great company, and great training with other handlers of similar caliber. If those handlers continue to spoil me, I don't see any reason to ever teach at a seminar again. I like helping others, but the egos, whining, false hopes, etc. have just worn me down. I think I'll prefer traveling around to decent handlers setting up blinds for them and them for me, exchanging ideas and methods, and more good food, good drink, and excellant company.
That Murphy got to be tested finding a grave at an archeological dig was just icing on the cake.
(oh yea, I'm told he passed, but I'm waiting on the paperwork to confirm.)
Jim