Working Dogs Q&As

Do you have any ideas on training tapes, books or articles that I could use for evidence search? Thanks. Mark

I read all your articles. They are very informative and have helped me a lot. I have a problem (I think) with my two dogs in tracking. When they start tracking the pull as if they were on the protection field trying to get the helper. It is a constant battle to hold them back. I give tugs to slow them down and in a calm voice say such? They have their nose to the ground but want to run the track? They miss the corners and the longer the track then the female will start to go from side to ...

I have just bought and looked at your Level I and II & III RCMP tracking videos, and found them very well made and interesting. A few questions, if you have the time and possibility to answer them: 1. You work with very high motivation, and the dogs are selected for very high drives. Are there generally any stress-related problems on the track due to this? Like dogs not being able to concentrate enough at track losses, difficult conditions, etc.? Do you think stress management i...

The Metro fire dept. in Nash, TN has recently bought a high dollar pup for my neighbor, whom is a fireman, to perform search and rescue and I assume accelerant detection. I am no expert, but I have been burned by a "master military dog trainer." The pup came from a breeder someplace in TN, and it is a decent looking all black male named Smokey. I don't think the dog will be successful. At two months old, it doesn't like people. It barks at everything and will not approach a non-threatenin...

Ed, What do you think of the tie out test for temperament testing older dogs. More and more SAR teams are searching for ways to test for temperament in older dogs. This test is similar to the one used in SchH. but does include and aggressive individual who is to represent an Alzheimer victim who is lost. I believe it is an unfair test in as much as you may not have an individual who knows dogs well enough and forces a dog into avoidance or fight drive because he is tied up. Pacer would not...

Hi Ed. My name is Bob. I bought a pup from you and many tapes. I need some help with the down on the article. My dog knows sook, but when I do it while training the down on the article he is always looking for the ball in my pocket that I free him with after I do the sook platz. He platz near the article, but he wont sook when I do this training any ideas and do I have to use food after he downs on the article? Bob

I have a pure bred German Shepard. His name is Strauss. He is one year and six months old. He is an extraordinary dog when with other dogs or alone, but when strangers are around, all of his training goes out the window. Everything distracts him, ex. bikes, children, etc. He becomes nervous, and extremely anxious, and completely out of control. I want to train him for search and rescue, but am un-able to pass the "good canine citizen" course because of his fears. What would you suggest I ...

Hello Ed, My name is Robert Harris, I have been reading your training articles and have really enjoyed some of them, also the questions that you answer are interesting too. I know your big on food reward and ball reward so here is a question I wonder if you could answer. If a dog is trained to track by food reward, not the dog that needs his daily food to track but the dog that just needs a little help with food treats, to track and the dog is a service dog , how do you stop the do...

I have a 6 month old German Shepherd. I've got your puppy tape 8 weeks to 8 months. It's great. I have a couple questions. Can I train him to be a personal protection dog and a search and rescue dog? If so, or, if not, what is the next video I should get? Darren, Hilliard, OH

I am interested in tracking and my question is that is it your opinion that you cannot teach a dog to track for ACK titles and then move on to search and rescue work? Meaning that in teaching footstep tracking the dog is unable to or confused to be taught tracking thru drive? I haven't started any type of tracking yet. I am trying to gather as much info as possible. I would like to compete in AKC tracking and then move on to S&R but from reading your articles this sounds like it isn't the...

My name is Mark. I am a new K-9 handler with the Barstow Police Dept. in Barstow Calif. We are looking for a K-9 German Shepherd approximately 15-24 months of age with Schutzhund 3 title. Thanks, Mark

I am currently working with a three year old Rott in obedience. He has earned his UCD, CD, UCDX, CGC. Like any Rott he's hard headed, but a real pleasure to work with. My question is; I have not done any tracking training, but would like to, however I've been told that it's better to start tracking training with a younger dog. What's your opinion? Rod

I have a 1 year old dog that is being trained in TTD. We are following the advise you give in your Level 1 video. My dog runs the entire track as fast as she can. Do I need to slow her down using force?

I have just recently purchased your RCMP Tracking Video. I have been with other officers who have tracking dogs, and have worked one myself. My questions are, while I looked at your video, for the first week of tracking, you showed what I believed to be your child or a child giving the dog hot dogs, but yet one of your helpers was using a bite rag or burlap sack on another occasion. Which should you start with? I believe we are trying to get the dog to track during prey drive, whic...

Ed, My dog has worked for some time on the street. I bought your Level One tape and the last two days I had someone lay short known tracks. I just wanted to view the dog after having the knowledge of your tape already in my head. I believe my dog is trying to do the right things and I wasn't paying attention. I am going to try a few short unknown tracks (as you suggested) to see how much work I need to do to bring him up to speed on Level One. P.S. Would you suggest the leve...

Dear Ed, Does the Level 2 and 3 video teach the method of getting the dog to circle at the end of a dead track and then backtrack to locate the turn? I was impressed with the dogs on the Level 1 video. My dog gets to the end of a track or a turn, and may overshoot it but then I have to more or less bring him back a way and slow him down to catch the turn. Sometimes he catches it on his own. Is there a method that I can use to teach him?

I have just finished viewing your video tape police tracking level 1. It definitely left me enlightened. Now I will try to apply it. I am a fairly new handler April 94 and have much to learn about k-9 tracking. My dog is Keri a 2and half year old Czech Shepherd who came to me green from Global k-9 in NY He is in my humble opinion an excellent drug and protection dog but lacks in the tracking department and to not fault of his I might add. I see that in your tape. I don't know if you answe...

When can I start my puppy on tracking?

Mr. Frawley, I wanted the opportunity to express to you how impressed I was when I viewed your video regarding tracking, RCMP style. First, I should introduce myself, my name is Don McLeod and I am a member of the canadian Military Police. At present I'm training a malinois/shepherd cross in tracking and drug detection with a local police detachment who possess a malinois and shepherd. Your video was very informative and I have gained a large amount of my knowledge from your video....

My dog is not a great food hound. What kind of food do you recommend using on the track for sport when he only shows marginal drive to track?