K9 Course Flashcards
Alpha Roll Criteria
- Handler or third party aggression
- Severe canine aggression
Walking Odor
The canine alerts and walks away.
Importance of Rewards
The reward is the canine’s paycheck. The handler is the paymaster.
The reward must be:
- Delivered on time.
- In the correct amount for the work performed.
Critical Drives - H.A.R.P. ?
Hunt
Air Scent
Retrieve
Prey
US v Place
- Canine “sniff” is not a search under 4th Amendment.
- Canine sniff is “Sui Generis”.
- With reasonable suspicion, personal luggage can be detained for canine sniff.
- When answering a call for canine sniff, the handler needs to respond in a timely manner.
- Reasonableness of detention determined by facts of individual case.
On Leash Ritual: Method
- Allow the canine to take a break.
- Heel the canine to the perimeter of the search area.
- With the canine in a heel position, conduct a cursory search of the area.
- Begin the search.
Passive Indicaiton
sit, down, point
Retrieve
Drive to bring prey to the pack.
Hyperthermia: Corrective Measures
- Before transporting the canine to the veterinarian, cool the canine by:
- Spraying or submerging trunk and extremities in cool water, and
- Placing water-soaked towels or cold packs to the back of the head, neck, armpits and groin regions.
- While transporting the canine to the veterinarian:
- Keep the canine cool and air-conditioned.
- Check rectal temperature every 2 minutes.
- Stop cooling measures when rectal temperature has reached 103 F and dry the canine with towels.
Nonproductive Alert
The canine displayed an alert in an uncontrolled field environment where no tangible trained substances could be located.
Operant Conditioning Principles
- Principle of Reward/Praise: If an animal’s actions change its environment favorably it increases the chance that it will repeat that behavior.
- Principle of Correction: If an animal’s actions change its environment unfavorably it decreases the chance that it will repeat that behavior.
* Both theories are related and intermingled.
Tracking
Drive to follow ground disturbance odors.
Fight
Drive to measure physical prowess with rivals.
Trainability
Drive to follow the desires of the pack leader.
2 basic animal and human learning systems:
- Classical Conditioning
- Operant Conditioning
Indication
A trained behavior that pinpoints source.
Tracing
Post-alert behavior displayed by the canine while following the odor to source.
Control
Canine’s responsiveness to verbal commands and presentations during the search.
Sharpness
Tendency to react aggressively to stimuli.
Activity
Drive to move and act.
Rank
Drive to achieve higher rank in the pack.
Character Traits
Traits that diminish or enhance drive behavior.
Precautions for public contact
- Never leave any canine unattended with small children.
- Never perform any demonstration off leash.
- During any contacts with the public, always be aware of and control the canine’s head.
- Never allow the canine to jump on any person.
- Never leave the canine chained or tied to an object.
Frustration
Tendency to subconsciously react aggressively when restrained from stimuli.
Post
- Directional command to the handler to prevent the canine’s forward motion.
Components of a Command
- Command itself
- Tone of voice
- Method of enforcement
Hyperthermia: Physical Signs
- Refusal to work
- Heavy panting or gasping
- Hypersalivation
- Red mucous membranes, with a capillary refill time
under 2 seconds - Increased heart rate
- Rectal temperature above 104 F
- Lethargic or weak
- Stumbling (acting drunk)
- Vomiting, diarrhea, and/or lack of urine production
- Seizure and coma
Drafting
Drive to pull when restricted.