I'm looking for some new and different ideas this audience has in the way of "scratch or trick" boxes, for a starting dog and the experienced dog in building up the motivation and scratch in a new dog or problem solving for the older dog.

Mark Addison

Are you familiar with the primary delivery system Border Patrol teaches? I saw it for the first time in Novemeber and thought it to beautifuly simple.

What does the border patrol do???????

We use a box approx 4' long by 18" wide and 18" tall. The box has four equal sections with a hole about 31/2" at the top center of each section. The dog can put his nose in the hole or look inside to see/smell his toy or odor. This box can be used to aid in searching and to bring up the alert because it is heavy enough to withstand the abuse. The only bad thing about it is toting it around. Currently it is bare wood but some carpet wouldnt be a bad idea.

Mark... for building motivation I like to go back to primary rewards. I will let the dog find one (usually loaded PVC Pipe) Play tug for a bit then start throwing it across the floor. When the dog retrieves it I will get him interested in a second loaded toy and throw it the other way.

I realy like to do this in vehicles to motivate the dog to get over the seats and into the rear of the vehicle. I will throw the probe in, excite the dog and let him loose to retrieve it. I then put my throws further into the vehicle.

I also like to put one probe on a long, thin line and make it live for the dog. Try it and see if you get the results you are looking for.

In SAR we use both the boxes and the primary motivator (cadaver scented ball). With the boxes, which have pegboard sides, one of four has scent in it. The dog is rewarded for showing interest on the scented box. With the scented ball, the ball is thrown and retrieved 4-5 times. Then an unscented ball is thrown in a brush pile where a scented ball is hidden. The dogs come back with the scented ball.

The boxes are aprox 8"x10"x3" each. I've seen the long boxes. I like the 4-5 smaller ones for handling.

My god am I old fashioned. I use desk drawers, vehicles, concrete blocks etc. Oh well, it works for me, I think I'll just continue doing it.

DFrost

Howard, Matt, Bob & Scott,

I have do use currently all your suggestions:

I have and use 5 separate scent boxes
I use the method of throwing the loaded toy into the area/vehicle fir training.
I have a long box w/ the exception I made a small pulley system in it and when the dog indicates on the right hole - I pull a string and their reward is popped up thru the hole.
And I do use the desks, filing cabinets, etc, etc.

Thanks for replies,

Mark,
This may not be new, or interesting, but it hasnt been suggested yet. Try having a helper hold the dog while you stand approx. 15-20 yards away in a dirt field. The helper should show the dog his favorite toy and pump him up. He then should throw it to you wherein you then call the dog while showing the toy. Before the helper lets the dog go, you make a big production of burying the toy where the dog can see it. Once buried, call the dog to find the toy. When the dog is let go he should rocket over to where he saw you hide his toy. While he is looking for it you keep talking to him to keep him pumped up. He should get odor and immediately dig like his tail is on fire. When he does this ,lots of "good boys" are in order. Once he has the toy its playtime until you repeat the drill. This should bring up an old dogs' alert and is a great way to start a new dog.

You might also want to find some heavy cardboard boxes and hide his toy in it. Use copius amounts of duct tape on the seams and then have him dig like mad until he actually rips through the box to get his toy. It aint rocket science, but its different.