I have a Golden who is very, very ball driven. She would rather play ball than eat or sleep any day. I wonder if her life would be better spent doing something that would challenge her. We have a lot of police dogs in our area so would those dog handlers be able to evaluate her or can anyone tell me some things I should look for in her to see if she would be immediately ruled out?
Thanks, BW

Edited by Bre Willison (01/21/2008 11:52 AM)
Edit reason: spelling

Bre,

You can get with your local SAR team and maybe they will evaluate her for you. A HIGH ball drive golden would be a good candidate for search and rescue.

If you choose to have Law Enforcement evaluate, make sure it is the Training Coordinator, Trainer or Supervisor. No offense to any Law Enforcement here, but some handlers out there do not really know what to look for when evaluating any other dog but their own or maybe the other handlers and dogs as well.

Just a suggestion.

Thank you very much for your response. I didn't think anyone would answer. I am not looking to get rid of her. I just know she has the drive to do something that could really benefit herself and others. She only gets worked with when I am home from work. When I am out of school and home with her in the summer, she could go ALL day, so I know she must be half nuts during the school year. I will take your advice.
BW

You could also look into things like agility or flyball as well. That is a great way to keep the dog both mentally and physically in shape and tired.

Also, clicker/marker training is good too. A dog not only needs physical exercise to be tired but also mental challenges as well.

And, clicker training can be done when you get home after work along with a good walk if you do not have time to take her out and pay with her.

I do marker training, games, I use a chuck it, we play football, I run her beside my bicycle or 4 wheeler, go for walks, so we do a lot in the evenings and weekends (I also have 4 other dogs), but I just wonder if she might be a good candidate as a search dog. I like to bring out the best in a dog. I do one-on-one training in people's homes with their dogs to show them how to establish correct pack structure and some basic obedience to help keep dogs out of shelters. I would love to build an agility course here as I have room, but don't know much about teaching it. Probably could figure it out tho???? Thanks for the help. BW

Agility Books:

Shaping Success

In Focus

Agility DVD:

Training the Agility Dog
Training the Jumps

There were a couple more DVD's I think, but I figured this is good to start with.

Bre, You need more than just ball drive for narcotics k9, you also need strong hunt drive. I also agree with Carol, you need to have a training director or coordinator do the evaluation, because most LEO just go thru a handlers course.

 Quote: sammy walker

Bre, You need more than just ball drive for narcotics k9, you also need strong hunt drive.

Good point Sammy!

How I test for hunt drive is to start with some semi-tall grass and I hold the dog (or have someone else hold the dog) by the collar or down on one knee and the arms around the chest.

Depending on the dog, being down on one knee and holding around the chest can be a problem if the dog is really fired up and trying to get away.....they could accidentally bang into your face (been there, bloody nose) or accidentally bite you (been there too) in order to get away.....your golden would probably be fine though.

I toss the "toy" or ball into the grass and let the dog sit for a few seconds and then the dog is released.
I don't really care if the dog finds the toy, but rather I want the dog to look for it like their life was going to end if they did not find it and not come back to me with a "I give up" attitude.

It is okay if the dog returns to me and then goes back to keep looking.

If the semi tall grass is not an issue, and seems "easy" for the dog I will move to taller grass and/or hold the dog back longer and maybe turn in a circle and then release them.

Works great in the snow as well.

Don't forget nerve strength and environmental sensitivity. You can have all the drive in the world but if a dog can't work around loud machinery, go up and down open metal stairs, work on slick floors, all is lost.

Are we still talking drug dog as the heading says? You may find other issues relating to actually being used if you are not currently in law enforcement.

 Quote: Nancy Jocoy

Are we still talking drug dog as the heading says? You may find other issues relating to actually being used if you are not currently in law enforcement.

I think we have corrupted her into our world......