National Urban Search Rescue Response System Canine Search
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit 2: Canine Behavior and Drive 1
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Objective Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to describe the basic aspects of canine communication, behavior, and drive 2
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Enabling Objectives n Explain how handlers and canines communicate n Describe common canine signals n Identify the factors that influence behavior n Describe basic learning principles n Identify and describe canine drives n Describe how to apply canine drives to search training 3
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Canine Communication 4
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Canine Communication n Instinctual n Learned 5
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Instinctual n Posture n Facial expression n Breathing n Focus n Intention 6
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Learned n Training n Play n Life experience 7
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Myths and miscommunication “Clever Hans” l Learned 8
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Miscommunication n “The guilty look” n “He’s mad at me!” n “He knows this!” n “He’s ignoring me!” 9
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Guilty 10
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training What are they thinking? Body Language 11
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Dominance n Signals associated with dominance l Grabbing muzzles l Pinning head and neck l Chin on neck and /or back l Body slamming l Direct stare l Vertical retraction of lips l Tail straight up in the air 12
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Submission Submissive signals l Avert gaze l Lower head and neck l Lower tail l Approach with “C” shape l Submission grin l Ears back 13
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Play n Exaggerated looking away n Paw raising n Play grin n Nibble greeting n Nose pushing n Panting or play face 14
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Fear n Behaviors associated with fear l Shivering or shaking l Salivating l Tail tucked l Immobility 15
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Fear! Aggressive Submissive 16
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Aggression n Ears forward n Direct eye contact n Forward lean n Tail high n Lips retracted n Low growl 17
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Signs of Conflict n Panting n Yawning n Submissive signals 18
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Conflict (continued) Displacement behaviors n Eating grass n Sniffing grass n Grooming n Scratching n Play behaviors 19
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Conflict (continued) Ambivalent behaviors n Looking away n Turning back on you n Sitting down n Marking 20
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Behavior 21
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Behavior n Factors that influence behavior l Genetics l Internal stimuli l External stimuli 22
Genetically Proven Breeds
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Internal Stimuli n Drives 24
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training External Stimuli n Training n Experience n Environment 25
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training The TRUTH About Dogs 26
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training The TRUTH about Dogs n Dogs l Are amoral l Live in the present l Are completely self interested l Will always do what they consider to be in their best interest at the time 27
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training More … n Dogs l Will repeat what works for them l Are constantly monitoring our movement for an opportunity to get something for themselves l Learn through Operant and Classical conditioning 28
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Learning Principles 29
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Kinds of Learning n Experience + Repetition n Observational = watching n Classical conditioning = reflexive n Operant conditioning = shaping 30
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Classical Conditioning n A specific type of learning which connects a stimulus with an unconditioned response (REFLEX) n “Conditioned” means “ learned” 31
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Operant Conditioning A specific type of learning where offered behaviors are encouraged or discouraged by their consequences 33
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Operant Conditioning (continued) n Add reinforcement to increase behavior n Add punishment to decrease behavior n The reward or punishment must be immediate to the behavior 35
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Operant Conditioning (continued) n Behaviors that are not reinforced will extinguish themselves over time n Do not take long-established behavior for granted 36
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Generalization n Under-utilized technique n Unrecognized pitfall 37
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Generalization (continued) 38
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Problem Solving 101 n Has the dog LEARNED the command? n Has the trainer supplied adequate MOTIVATION (reward)? n Is there a strong history (FOUNDATION) of rewarded responses to the command? n Has the dog GENERALIZED the behavior in this context? 39
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Problem Solving 101 (continued) n Did you PROOF against distractions (dogs, cats, noise, activity)? n Did you PROOF against competing motivations (drives-food, pack, prey)? 40
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training BREAK 41
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Instinct and Drive 42
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Instinct A canine’s innate response to certain stimuli, independent of any thought process l May or may not produce the desired behaviors l Those that have application to search need to be developed and strengthened 43
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Drive n Some canines have predispositions towards certain instincts The STRENGTH of this predisposition = DRIVE 44
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training It is important to remember that hyperactivity does not equal drive 45
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training DRIVE! 46
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Types of Drive n Food n Pack n Prey n Defense n Hunt 47
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Benefits of Drive Use of drive in regular training exercises will n Improve physical conditioning n Increase intensity and concentration n Improve focus and attitude 48
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Food Drive A canine’s desire to persist in getting food, is not always related to hunger or biological need for food 49
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Food Drive (continued) n One of the easiest drives to build n Rewards can be given while the canine is in the correct position n Canines can be rewarded without having to break position n Most effective way to control high prey driven canines 50
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Prey Drive 53
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Prey Drive Canine’s intensity in chasing n. Catching n. Biting n. Carrying a prey object 54
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Prey Drive (continued) n Can be developed into play n Can be incorporated into each training session n Builds stamina and physical conditioning 55
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Prey Drive n Will increase canine’s motivation n Increases concentration n Stress reducer 56
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Hunt Drive n Fundamental to search success n Innate desire to hunt with nose n Does not require visual cues n Very rewarding to dog n Reduces need for external motivation 58
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Pack Drive Canine’s desire to work within framework of the pack 60
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Pack Drive n Needed to maintain working relationship with handler n The canine needs to view handler as the working partner 61
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Defense Drive Canine’s response to protect itself from a perceived threat 62
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Defense Drive n This behavior is detrimental to search work because it produces l Avoidance l Aggression l Insecurities l Unsociability (sharpness) 63
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training REWARD SYSTEMS = Prey Key 64
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Prey Key A reward that the canine is obsessed with (toy, food) 65
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Advantages of Using Prey Key n Gives canine a motivating focal point n Moderate or control other behaviors n Gives options to difficult training problems n Allows corrections without seriously affecting the canine’s positive attitude 66
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Building Drive 67
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Building Drive n Frustration n Opposition reflex n Animation n Isolation n Deprivation n End session while canine still wants more 68
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Frustration and Opposition Reflex 69
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Animation 70
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Isolation 71
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Deprivation n Clink-Clink 72
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training End session with canine wanting more 73
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Troubleshooting 74
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Troubleshooting n Distractibility n Low drive n Boldness n Sensitivity n Focus n Agility 75
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Errorless Learning n Teach in small increments n Anticipate errors and prevent them n Change only one variable at a time n Provide adequate motivation n Generalize behavior 76
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Summary and Evaluation 77
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Summary n Explain how handlers and canines communicate n Describe common canine signals n Identify the factors that influence behavior n Describe basic learning principles n Identify and describe canine drives n Describe how to apply canine drives to search training 78
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Evaluation Please fill out the evaluation on this unit 79
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