I am a LEO and both I and my narc K-9 are new to detection (6 months together). He is a 22 m/o golden retriever trained in 6 scents with passive alert (sitting and then looking at me). While training with our other (aggressive alert) narc K-9s, I have observed that the aggressive alert is kinder to our other new handler when deciding between a false alert vs an actual find. I realize that with more experience in reading my K-9, I too will be able to decide between false vs. real.

This leads me to my questions.

1) Is it possible to change a passive alert to an aggressive alert (scratching) and how can a new handler do it?

2) If he remains passive, how can I have him become more focused on his find and not immediately look to me for his reward?

I believe this is where I am having the most difficulty in distingushing false alerts. When searching and he alerts, I immediately reward him with praise when he sits and then we continue searching. Making a mental note of the previous alert, we later return to that same spot for confirmation.

Another reason for changing to aggressive, I have seen that when encouraged to look for his toy he will scratch my desk drawer a few times when wanting it. I have also observed that after he alerts and then sits, he immediately looks to me for his reward. By looking at me, it makes it difficult to keep his toy hidden until throwing it at the alert spot. I believe this is where I am have some difficulty when distingusing between what is real vs. what is false. I have further observed that with our aggressive alert K-9s, the K-9 is more focus on the find while intently scratching for his reward.

Det. Wayne Weidenbacher, SRO K-9