Ryan stated;

- "Ok, my dog currently would rather eat grass and pee on a search and does not want to search for a person."

- " The dog was not interested at all. I will hit him on the side and try to pump him up but all he wants to do is sniff the floor where the other dog has been. "

- " One time the guy walked right by us the and dog pulled and pulled on the leash but not after the guy to get the cat in the room. The dog did not even move when the guy walked by us. "


Ryan ,
I hate giving suggestions going only by what I've read over the internet on such an important issue , without actually seeing the K9 but please be aware that these are classic signs of avoidance . We have lots of video from past selection tests we have done on dogs showing these identical aviodance behaviors . If you want , send me a PM and I can make a copy of this for you if you think it might help .

You are probably already aware of this but depending on how the dog was trained his good muzzle , sleeve and suit work could all be a big game for him . Through training the dog may just have learned that when he has the muzzle on , sees a sleeve or sees/smells a suit , that he can't be hurt(because he hasn't been before) and is not afraid off them . Once again I'm not saying this is indeed the case just that it could be .

I strongly second Kevin's suggestion that you find a qualified PSD Trainer to evaluate your dog .

Good Luck.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />ok Ed sorry apologies. Havent got used to where im suposed to be and where not on here yet <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> sorry guys.

Matthew,
The dog will do a building search, however if he does not smell a suit or a sleeve he shows no intrest. If someone were hiding in a corner he may take a quick look with his head only but not alert like he should.

We are going to start using our vendor soon 1 time a month to train with us. That should start in Dec, but I am hoping we can start to fix this problem sooner then that. I understand once the dog can get a bite or two he will start to understand, but getting those bites is what I need to get to.
The other problem is getting rid of him is not an option. Our department just does not work that way, this is someting that we will have to correct.

Ryan - you need to listen to Kevin and Jim. These are both top notch poilice service dog trainers. I agree with Jim - this sounds like avoidence. Dont nake a mistake and put your life on theline with this dog. We would rather keep you as a board member.

Ryan,
You say your department doesn't work that way??? What would they do if your service weapon malfunctioned avery time you went to use it, or the can of OC no longer projected its contents??
There is a need for functional equipemnt on the street and your patrol dog is part of a high risk entity. You say you have a vender you will start to work with.
You and he/she need to make a plan to remediate the problems, identify the problems and propose a plan for what to do it they problems cannot be remediated.
This ain't a game. It is not about getting the dog up to a pooint you can get him to do it if all things are put in orfer.
It is about getting the dog to a point that it can consistantly, under varied conditions and high stress levels perform its task to at least the defined minimum for a police service dog.
I have been a vender, and a member of a departmental program for longer than I sometimes care to admit. I can tell you that if your vender is a up front and honest person and is well qualified the opnion of that vender put in writing will carry weight if the dog needs replacement.
You say you like him. Well, that is good but don't let that get in the way of having a functional program.
I can tell you that I replace dogs. Not often but gladly to keep a program to standard if the problem is the dog. i have even replaced dogs when i thought...knew the problem was the handler. Then documented as the problems reappeared. The vender works for your department not you and needs to see it that way. If it can't be fixed it is broke and needs replacement.

Vendors have a monetary interest in the dogs they sell which often over-rides ethical considerations as we ( LEO ) think of them. Unless you have a good contract, which includes replacing defective dogs, don’t expect vendors to be replacing dogs or writing anything negative about the product they sold you. Once a month training with any vendor is not going to cure your problem and a bite or two (especially if defensive) may only cause you more problems in the future.

Here is one example of a written guarantee........

The dogs temperament and drive level is guaranteed suitable for Police Service with the final determination made by your agency. The guarantee for suitability has no time limit provided proper training and health of the dog is maintained.