I have two dogs, a male GSD and a female malinois. I have done a lot of tracking with both of them (mostly the GSD) and will begin training with a SAR group in December. Also, I'm interested in volunteering as a decoy for a Dept. Yes, I'm curious too.
The best 2 tracking dogs in my department were "cross-trained" from Schutzhund tracking to police trailing style (TTD). In fact, when some local departments and k-9 handlers started buying "green dogs" (with no prior formal training) and tried to train TTD on their own-- they had lots of problems at first.
However, having said that-- Mr. Scott-- you may find local departments somewhat unreceptive to any "outsiders" coming in to do decoy/helper work. The position of K-9 officer is highly desired by many patrol officers -- so there are many non-k9 officers within the department that are more than willing to donate their time as decoy / helper.
Dave--
I didn't say a sporting dog couldn't be trained over to TTD -- Ed said the RCMP has not been succesful in it. Personally, I don't see a reason to use FST, however I haven't worked with enough dogs to say wheather one can be cross trained successfully or not. I have to base it on what I read/hear.
"However, having said that-- Mr. Scott-- you may find local departments somewhat unreceptive to any "outsiders" coming in to do decoy/helper work. The position of K-9 officer is highly desired by many patrol officers -- so there are many non-k9 officers within the department that are more than willing to donate their time as decoy / helper."
What's up with the --Mr. Scott-- thing?
I'm sure you are correct about the decoys. I have a friend who does it but the biggest problem seems to be liability concern over anything else.
OK, Kevin Scott, thanks. That helps me to know where you're coming from! I think what got me sucked into this thread was the idea that a dog cannot be cross trained from sport tracking (FST) to TTD (then I got distracted by the "runnning" thing). My dog is an example that that is not true. Of course, I have a Lab, and his natural tracking style is so close to TTD anyway, that it really wasn't much of a leap. I've seen several Shepherds that tend to be more slow and methodical in their tracking. Is that typical of the breed?
Just want to add that while both Police K9s and SAR dogs are Working Dogs, my understanding is that both in regards to what to teach them and how to teach it, they are different in many ways (unless SAR is handled by LEOs in your locality; where I live, SAR falls under the umbrella of the Sherriff's office, but is made up almost entirely of civilian volunteers). I realize this is going off topic a bit, but there is no forum for SAR, only the one on TTD. I do wish there were more SAR people here, and a place to discuss SAR related issues specifically...then I'd probably keep my nose out of the Police K9 section! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I have been following along this thread and have a question? Since running behind a dog is very unsafe in some Police K-9 handlers point of view, and this objection to running is at the least warrented for consideration,does anyone have any stats. on RCMP handlers getting killed or injured while tracking suspects, being that the suspect causing the injury to the Officer or its back-up. I feel this is something to be taken into account when deciding on saftey issues. I feel that it would be intresting as the RCMP has done this style of tracking for decades. Maybe Ed has this info.
Not to disagree with following behind the dog, but I have trailed off leash for several years and in the state I am from (Washington), it is done almost exclusively resulting in a high rate of captures. My partners and I have had several close calls over the years while chasing bad guys, but I feel it would not have mattered much how I was utilizing him. I agree with what someone else mentioned, the situation should dictate how you deploy and work your partner.
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