K9 Professional Tracking

"K9 Professional Tracking explores the theory and training for clean-scent tracking dogs--those that follow an individual human scent on various ground surfaces. The book explores historical and contemporary research with valuable findings that add to the professional trainer's understanding of how and what dogs smell on a track. This background understanding then helps trainers and handlers troubleshoot when training their dogs to track. Training exercises are covered from early puppy training, sports, and then beginning and advanced clean-scent tracking, including cross-tracks and troubleshooting common issues."--

Train your dog to reliably follow a human scent trail Learn: - How to pick the right dog for tracking - What equipment you need - How to lay both simple and advanced tracks - The science of scent and your dog’s nose A well-trained tracking dog can be the deciding factor that determines success in both criminal investigations and search-and-rescue operations. When the stakes are high, demanding the highest level of performance from your K9, you need training methods relied upon by police forces and SAR teams around the world. Dr. Resi Gerritsen and Ruud Haak show you how to train your dog in clean-scent tracking, a proven method that trains dogs to follow a particular scent on a track, while ignoring cross-tracks and other odors. In K9 Professional Tracking, you’ll learn how to train a clean-scent tracking dog you can count on. You’ll also learn to fully understand what your K9 is and is not capable of in the field. With the right knowledge and techniques, you’ll be able to train tracking dogs to the highest professional standards.

A well-trained tracking dog can be the deciding factor in both criminal investigations and search-and-rescue operations. When the stakes are high and you demand only top performance from your K9, you need training methods relied upon by police forces and searchand-rescue teams around the world. Dr. Resi Gerritsen and Ruud Haak show you how to train your dog in clean-scent tracking, a proven method that trains dogs to follow a particular scent on a track while ignoring crosstracks and other odors. In K9 Professional Tracking, you'll learn how to start a successful clean-scent tracking program from the ground up: how to pick the right dog, what equipment you need, how to lay a track, and which exercises work. Resi and Ruud also break down the science of scent and the dog's nose, critical information that allows you to fully understand what your K9 is and is not capable of in the field. With the right knowledge and techniques, you'll be able to train tracking dogs to the highest professional standards.

Whether you’re searching for drugs or a missing person, K9 Scent Training will improve your K9 team’s capabilities in the field. Use proven techniques to train your dog for: Scent identification line-ups to indicate a scent connection between crime-scene evidence and a suspect. Tracking along a wide variety of track types, including the cold track, the broken-off track and tracks that run over or under cross-tracks. Detection work for searches in buildings, vehicles, open terrain and more. In this must-have guide for SAR teams and police K9 trainers and handlers, Dr. Resi Gerritsen and Ruud Haak present everything you need to know to build or improve a scent training program. Scent training involves high-stakes work, and in the case of a search for a missing person, the right training for your K9 can mean the difference between life and death. Beginning with the science behind odors and how dogs perceive them, Resi and Ruud show you how to harness that knowledge to eliminate training problems and maximize your dog’s potential. You’ll learn how to start scent training for young dogs using simple exercises before building up to more complex training. Finally, using techniques they’ve perfected over decades, Resi and Ruud share their specialized, step-by-step programs for advanced scent identification training and tracking. Get a free ebook through the Shelfie app with the purchase of a print copy.

Understand dog behavior to work with, not against, your K9’s instincts. Learn how to: Recognize and interpret your K9’s expressions, gestures and signals. Use operant conditioning to efficiently and humanely train K9s. Plan and execute effective K9 training programs for search and detection, patrol, remote guided camera, attack, and more. The art and science of training police, military and other service dogs continue to evolve as we learn more about dog behavior. In this revised edition of K9 Behavior Basics, expert dog trainers Dr. Resi Gerritsen, Ruud Haak and Simon Prins share the essentials every trainer needs to know about these advances in K9 training. You’ll learn how to successfully implement or improve your dogs’ training programs using operant conditioning. The authors outline key concepts in dog behavior and communication and provide practical approaches to operant conditioning. They share proven techniques and solid advice from their more than thirty years of specialized K9 experience. Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned pro staying up-to-date, K9 Behavior Basics has something for you. Get a free ebook through the Shelfie app with the purchase of a print copy.

Tracking is a great way to channel your dogs energy and challenge their mind. There are different avenues of tracking from sports trials (earning titles), to search and rescue (professional working dogs), to dogs who only participate for fun and energy release. Tracking as a dog sport is intended to exercise the mind and body of your dog. Tracking is an ideal activity for dogs which have high drive (motivation and energy for a task) and require a means for release. Any breed of dog can do tracking and many dogs will excel at tracking where they have failed at other dog sports. Tracking challenges your dog with a task, they utilize their innate physical and mental abilities to the fullest extent, as nature had intended. In this book, we focus on Tracking as a sport or for fun. We use techniques and methods used by professional tracking and trailing dog handlers. We cover everything from laying your first track, progressing your training and troubleshooting. Learn about scent, how it moves and how it is affected by the environment so that you can start to understand your dogs behaviour and support them. Understanding scent also makes it easier for you to make well planned practice tracks for you and your training partners.

Training that works by harnessing your dog’s instincts. Learn how to: Stimulate your dog’s natural hunting drive for effective SAR training. Start your dog’s training program with an easy, three-step process. Develop skills in a variety of search operations, including wilderness, avalanche and disaster scenarios. Dr. Resi Gerritsen and Ruud Haak have trained search and rescue dogs for more than 30 years and have taken part in rescue operations around the world. They serve as training directors and international judges for the International Red Cross Federation, the United Nations, the International Rescue Dog Organization and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). Based on their decades of study and experience, their innovative SAR training method is rooted in a firm, scientific understanding of K9 instincts. Step-by-step instructions, dozens of illustrations and photographs from the field establish a professional K9 SAR program to benefit both beginners and experts. Get a free ebook through the Shelfie app with the purchase of a print copy.

Much has changed in the world of dog training since the first edition of "K9 Schutzhund Training" was published in 2000. In this completely revised second edition, world-renowned specialists in dog training, Dr. Resi Gerritsen and Ruud Haak, teach you the latest techniques to train your Schutzhund dog in tracking, obedience and protection. With proven methods rooted in classic and operant conditioning, this new edition of "K9 Schutzhund Training" provides beginners with an excellent introduction to the field, while expert trainers can stay on top of their game with the latest techniques.