Would like to hear how you all are teaching a passive alert. Are you introducing it *after* the dog is hitting on the target odors or teaching it as a stand alone? I have Ed's video on training narc dogs and it's great when you can use an active alert, but I'd really appreciate some help on the passive alert. Thanks in advance!

I have not taught an active alert on any of my dogs in 12 or 13 years. I train my narc and explosive k9's with a sit or sit and bark. My dogs get the odor first then I solicit the sit response as a complete picture. I've found for me it is easier to add scents. I have less evidence or crime scene damage. It is safer for the dog. My "fingernail" forensic k9 is a sit and bark w/ a refind. This came in handy in NYC where the enviorment was noisy. But there are many ways to achieve/train and solicit any response as I know you are aware. My way is not the only way but it has worked for me over the years. Oh Yea, Joy, I saw your other post, I never used booties except in a civil disturbance when tacks and glass was in the street. I thought the S&R teams were advised not to use them in NYC? The dog needs to sweat somehow and the incident area was ground hot to begin with. We had one team use them because of the area he was assigned. Lots of glass but not the wreckage that one sees all the time on T.V.. The above thoughts are IMHO as I can only speak for what works and has worked for me over the past 30 or so years in police k9. Good luck with your quest. I sure other trainers will step to the plate here and help you as you have a valid question. Old and in the Way-I'm just the dummy at the end of the lead-Bumper <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

We use the a cross of the box method and aid placement pairing the sit with odor from the beginning. We try to make it as easy and clear for the dog from the beginning.

I always add the passive indication after the odor is learned. Usually its easier to start them sitting on a high find, that is no higher than they can reach with their nose. Also sit drills can be used to teach them to sit for the reward toy. It doesnt involve searching, but simply reinforces the sit for the reward. During searches a light tap on the rear or verbal sit command once the dog alerts to the odor will suffice. Some harder dogs might require a little tug on the leash to place them in the sit.

Thanks, John. Here is a little update on the bitch I'm training for firearms: she already had learned to sit for everything, treats, etc. so it was easier than I'd expected to incorporate the sitz into the search.
I also went back to my old standby, my beloved concrete blocks for imprinting. She's not had a problem sitting to get the ball tossed and I think she's just about to get the picture, ie you have to check all the boxes but only one is magical.
Looking forward to my pup being able to do an active alert, tho . . .

Joy,

I have a question about this. If you are looking for an active alert, would there be a hazard in a cross alert to a bomb. An active alert may even have some problems with a firearm as well. If the dog moved a weapon during an active alert, with out the safety on, wouldn't there be a significant chance that the weapon would discharge?

Richard,
Yes. Exactly. That's why I'm training the bitch in firearms using the passive alert. The pup will probably be trained for narc and can do an active alert. I must have not been clear earlier. . . (it's still early on this coast).

Joy,

It's early here too. Another question, why teach both an active and passive alert. Why take a chance on the dog getting confused and using the wrong alert? Way not just use passive?

Ok, Richard. This is your last chance . . . <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> The bitch is learning firearms, thus passive alert. The pup is going to be able to do an active alert if we train him for narc.
IOW, 2 different dogs :O
More coffee all around, please!

Joy,

She's not had a problem sitting to get the ball tossed and I think she's just about to get the picture, ie you have to check all the boxes but only one is magical.Looking forward to my pup being able to do an active alert, tho . . .

I am drinking lots of cofee, it gets had to tell what we are talking about some times, thats why I drink it. Just trying to stay caught up and learn something new.