Are Drug Dogs Wrong More Than They Are Right? - Page 3

I agree with pretty much everyone else here. The dogs are right it's the handler that's wrong!
I'm a Sr. handler with a Search and rescue team that's almost all HRD dogs. I can't even being to tell you how many times I have to tell handlers to get out of the way and let their dogs work.   The dogs know what they are looking for and will find it if it's there (or has been there recently).  It's up to the handler to understand this, read their dogs correctly and to TRUST their dogs.

That and keeping up their training logs are the two biggest issues we have with most handlers.  Document, document, document. 

I'm amazed that no one suggested putting a few seeds in the journalists' pockets and seeing if he could "beat" the dog!

If you watch the last video that I posted they demonstrate how dogs will hit on scent/residue when the drugs are no longer present.  They do a blank search, then a search where there is a plastic jar that used to contain marijuana in a drawer and then they go back to the area of the original blank search where someone has now simply rubbed a baggie containing cocaine on the board.

Here is the link again...
www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/drug-sniffing-dogs-put-test-study-alex-rothacker-lake-county-20110107

This is training problem. Decent dog well trained and dedicated handler who is well trained will not have problem. The percentages they give are rediculous for a well trained team.  

whoa
training problemo. 

former training partner now retired, won every case in court with his dog because he took great time to train the dog 1.  without having to point out the world to the dog   2.  dog with real desire to hunt   3. train - proof - repeat  4.  records on the dogs training and testing    

indicating on 'used to be here"  can happen

one of the " looks like it might be false alerts" - dog indicated on sealed propane tanks - just happened to be full of cash.  Good dog - impressive trainer

Nancy Rhynard
www.westwoodkennels.com

former training partner now retired, won every case in court with his dog because he took great time to train the dog

If this is directed at me, allow me to point out that; I never said my former Partner was retired and I never said we won every court case.

Not that it is anyones business, but my former Partner “Award Winning K9 Jorja” NDD/TDD was graciously donated to another agency in order that she be allowed to continue working. I could have sold her but I donated her instead.

Her acomplishments are a matter of public record. I would respectfully ask what qualifications you have to judge or critique any Detection Dog.


Mr. Kim Moore & his former Partner K9 Jorja

www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2009OTP0056-000513-Attachment1.htm

I think she meant HER former training partner. Take it easy man. Your a little touchy. 

the bigger problem is dogs that cant work independently, and handlers that cue the dog to alert...with or without odor present.   Thats training issues. I have a stack of dvds on my desk from cameras in police cars that defense attorneys supply me when a alert is in question.  I would say 90% are "handler influenced alerts"    Does not stand up in court. With a good expert witness anyway.   Now I am not saying every police dog and handler are that way....i am just saying....

If I was touchy, that was not my intention. My intention was to ask for clarification of a post that was poorly communicated, it could have easily been directed at another K9 Handler on this post. How does; "with his dog because he took great" translate to Her Dog? 

If it was directed at the other K9 Handler on this post it is just as wrong and I would ask again; what qualifications you have to judge or critique any Detection Dog?

Is that not a fair and respectable question?

And ....clarify (on my part finally) something that I have not done so earlier because when you attempt to do so on this forum you open yourself up for all kinds of accusations and ridicule.

I take my relationship with all of our dogs and pups (/PPD/PSD/SAR) seriously. When I post something it done from experience and personal observations. And I always try to respond with respect of other peoples post in the same manner.

Kim

the bigger problem is dogs that cant work independently

Could you please clarify or articulate this statement more?

thank you