Constant failure is not an option for me nor should it be for any handler interested in saving lives and solving crime. There was a time when I did not know what success in trailing was and I had to take a serious look at my K9 training protocols. The “Straightest Path” is nothing more than a simple and honest path to good trailing/ tracking training based not only on all of my experience in the field being successful, but also all of my failures. There can be no growth without both. I will outline my method for working trailing dogs, step by step, and with only one goal in mind: finding people. This program was designed for anyone handling a trailing dog and I have been teaching it now for over a decade. It is important to offer to others what was so generously given to me by many of the great handlers of the past and present.

…Follow me, if you dare, to a path less traveled!

" Jeff has written a definitive work that draws on his lifelong work with canines, his extensive background as a canine trainer, a handler, a K-9 law enforcement officer and his work with the FBI. A complete methodology, The Straightest Path is a must read if you are a beginner or a veteran handler that wants to be the best K-9 man hunter."

- Frank Meritt
Subject Matter Expert for the first two CTT pilot courses contracted for DoD. He has trained Marine and Army personnel and law inforcement officers in canine and tactical considerations.

"A book written by a manhunter for manhunters. Schettler gives a compelling, comprehensive account of reality-based K-9 training. Read this book and save lives, maybe even your own life."

- Brad Dennis
Director of Search Opperations, KlaasKIDS Foundation, Search Center for Missing & Trafficked Children

"Jeff takes on the highly controversial theories of scent and the scenting dog and provides real world practicality that all handlers can learn from."

- Officer Kevin Baughn

"Jeff Schettler has the ability to break down complex canine issues. He makes easy sense of it all and is more passionate about understanding scent and reading your dog than any one else I've ever known. This is life saving stuff!"

- John W. Kunkle
Placerville Police Sgt, Training / K9 Supervisor

"The Straightest Path is a must read for any scent detection K-9 handler. Jeff Schettler has written an honest and informative book about working a trailing canine; a book that every K-9 handler will find insightful. I highly recommend The Straightest Path."

- Pam Nyberg
K9 Handler, ALPHA Team, Georgia

Foreword by Michael J. Decker
Preface

Chapter 1 : Trailing and Tracking

• The Nature of Human Scent on the Trail
• The Scent Article
• Equipment
• First on the Scene
• Reading a Trailing Dog
  • Distraction Behavior
  • Following the Freshest or Closest Trail
    • Split-Trail Training
  • Traffic Intersections
• The Importance of Progressive Training
• References

Chapter 2 : Choosing a K-9

• The Bloodhound
• Other Breeds
• Puppies or Adult Dogs?
  • Testing for Temperament and Trailing Ability in Puppies and Adult Dogs

Chapter 3 : Trailing Gear

• Trailing Gear for the Dog
  • Suitable Harness
  • Trailing Collar
  • Long Lead
    • Reeling In and Reeling Out
    • Cleaning a Long Lead
• Trailing Gear for the Handler
  • Footwear and Clothing

Chapter 4 : Trailing Scent Forms

• Why Trailing Dogs May Fail
  • Hunting for the Freshest Scent
  • Hunting for the Strongest Scent
• Various Types of Scent
  • What is Human Scent?
  • Emotional Scent
  • Ground-Disturbance Scent Forms
  • Air Scent Forms
  • Proximity Scent Forms
    • The Importance of Proximity Alerts
    • What is Proximity Scent?
    • Subtle Body Language for Proximity Alerts
    • What To Do When the Dog Gives a Proximity Alert
    • Training for Proximity Alerts
    • Tactical Considerations
    • Practice, Practice, Practice
  • Death Sent Forms
  • Trailing Scent Forms

Chapter 5 : Environmental Effects on Scent

• Time
• Temperature
• Wind
• Water
• Environmental Contamination
• References

Chapter 6 : The Three P's

• Producing Scent
• Preserving Scent
• Presenting Scent

Chapter 7 : Trail Layers and Laying Trails: How It All Relates to Real People on Real Trails

• Diversity Training
• Psychological Issues, Brain Disorders, Drugs
• Basic Trail Laying
• Progression

Chapter 8 : Fire Trails

• Fire Trails for Puppies
• Training Beginner Adult Dogs
• Fire Trails for Veterans
• The Big Mistake in Trail Laying
• Identifications

Chapter 9 : Adding Distance, Turns, and Obstacles

• Distance and Speed
• Distance and Turns
• Obstacles
  • Scent Pools, Cross Trails, and Back Trails
• Resting on Trails
• Re-Scenting After a Break, or Anytime

Chapter 10 : The Handler's Arch Nemesis: Distractions

• Causes of Distraction
  • Genetic Predisposition
  • Distraction Reinforcement by the Handler
  • Handler Distraction
  • Dogs Not Trailing to Begin With
  • Lack of Proper Hunt or Prey Drive
  • Then Handler Not Being an "Alph"
• Training for Distractions
  • Phase One
  • Phase Two
  • Phase Three
  • Phase Four
  • Phase Five
  • Phase Six
• Pushing the Envelope on Distractions
• Dogs and Crack Addicts
• Noise and Object Distraction

Chapter 11 : Scent Discrimination

• Split Trails
  • The First Phase of Split Trails
  • The Second Phase of Split Trails
  • The Third Phase of Split Trails
  • The Fourth and Fifth Phases of Split Trails
• Successful Elements of Scent Discrimination

Chapter 12 : Age of the Trail and Other Variables

• Why We Cheat
• Establishing Reliability
  • Double-Blind Testing
  • Trailing K-9 and Handler Evaluation
    • Definitions

Chapter 13 : Streams and Rivers

Chapter 14 : Surface Transitions: Hard Surfaces

Chapter 15 : Extra Exercises

• Walk-Back Find
• Controlled, Contaminated Start
• Car Drive Away
• Very High Finds

Epilogue : Watch for K-9 Trailing, Part 2

Acknowledgements
About the Author
Index

 

Jeff Schettler is a retired police K9 handler. For a time he was attached to the FBI's Hostage Rescue Teams' K9 Assistance Program, designed to locate and apprehend high-risk fugitives. Jeff has worked hundreds of trailing cases across the U.S. and is a specialist in the areas of tactical trailing applications and an expert witness in the areas of scent evidence and trailing with bloodhounds. After leaving the police force, Jeff founded TacticalTrackerTeams, and later integrated it with the Georgia K9 National Training Center, LLC.

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