Lets not forget that all legally obtained material must also be logged in accurately. Chain of custody must be very clear and concise.

Also, to those either working with cadaver or thinking about it. You must use univeral precautions when working/handling training aids.

Sarah and Kaylee (crazy dog)

Nancy..contact me privately please

I imprinted my female on tennis balls smelly with cadaver....I found it really teaches the dog to imprint and have lots of fun at the same time.. Right Carol?

Regarding the 'real thing' practice - how easy has it been for you to obtain assistance from LE to create those training opportunities? My understanding in my neck of the woods is they REALLY want HRD dogs but don't seem johnny-on-the-spot providing opportunities.

My job requires daily practice of universal precautions, but that is an EXCELLENT point for those not familiar with the dangers of handling such materials. I suppose now would be a good time to say it might not be a good idea to try this on one's own! I can't wait for that class to start so that I can learn EXACTLY what is required and whether we will be able to commit to those standards.

 Quote: Sarah At;las

I imprinted my female on tennis balls smelly with cadaver....I found it really teaches the dog to imprint and have lots of fun at the same time.. Right Carol?

Oh yeah....that is how I started Jesea and Little Ember is/will be learning accelerants this way, but I am using rolled towel tugs for her.

 Quote: Carol Boche

 Quote: Nancy Jocoy

NIMS sets as their criteria <= 15 grams as *small*. 5 grams is about a nickle in weight.

Yep, totally familiar with NIMS criteria.

When you say NIMS criteria, are you talking about standardizing size or HRD?

Tennis balls - We do throws to. I like scenting handtowels or washcloths more than balls. (and you can shove them into a scent tube for throws) I just don't like that tennis ball smell and think the cotton terry holds scent better.......but a lot of people use tennis balls.

NIMS - national incident management system. Most states are requiring (at least in writing) that you have a minimum of NIMS 100 & 700 training to set foot on a search. In regards to size, I am just saying NIMS typing criteria are to be used for categorizing resources and for certification purposes that amount has been set as a cutoff and I am saying that a whole body is a whole lot different than ">15 grams".

Chain of custody and documentation are very important. Nothing flip about this. You need to know your own state laws and get clarification in writing if unclear (and many are)

It is, understandably, hard to get access. I can appreciate that .... all of our training is if we find a body to secure the area and only let LE in as any body is a potential crime scene.

I am very fortunate. I procure my training aids through my contacts as career ems. I do not ask LE to allow me access to a crime scene for training purposes. We have a master trainer in the area who is also LE and works an HRD dog. He ALWAYS tells his k9 classes to stay far away from sar people . Reasons
#1 Misrepresentation of their dogs abilities or theirs
#2 they come out to practice on a crime scene
#3 It turns into a ---cluster.

Well, we have gone well past the original scope of the thread about clickers and are getting into an uncomfortable zone.

We have never asked for use of a crime scene as a training opportunity and I am sure Carol has not either but that does not negate the opinion that having the opportunity to work the "real thing" (when the probability is very low that it is a crime scene) enhances the training of the handler and the dog, particularly in getting the dog to work to source in the presence of an overwhelming amount of scent.

I do understand the "cluster" comment because I have heard some unbelievable claims when the reality is the K9 is simply another tool that may increase the probability the target is found.

I agree with Nancy here...

And no, I do not ask or just show up to scenes. I do not go to crime scenes (confirmed or presumed) unless they need the dog to search.

I live in a small town where people know me and my dogs so I am fortunate enough to have a great relationship with LE both in my county and surrounding areas. Also the community is very supportive.
I guess if I were some yahoo handler with a s**t dog, just showing up because I heard it on the scanner, it would be different.

Just to add......I think this needs to go back to clicker training and be taken to PM's. This is not really a topic to discuss openly.

I agree. Showing up uninvited to ANY search is the kiss of death and can result in serious (legal) consequences for the individual and the team they belong to. I added this for those not familiar with basic SAR rules.
I was just curious about various methods. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to cite educational sources (books, seminars). We do have a class on that coming up for my team soon, which brought up the question of METHODS used to teach this discipline.