Training Tracking Using Markers with Police Dogs | Grassroots K9

[@AndrewMcGhie]

With indirect rewards, will you markand reward anywhere on the track if you like how they're tracking in that instance vs indirect rewarding only after an article indication? Thank you

[@grassroots.k9]

I will mark and reward at different parts along the track that I see the dog having peak performance. It will sometimes be at an article and sometimes not.

[@AndrewMcGhie]

@@grassroots.k9 makes sense! Thanks for your reply and videos!

[@k-9mantrailing324]

I guess this can work, but I'm wondering why the need for a reward before the end of the track where presumably the dog receives a high value reward? I assume you are training for the dog to find someone. I guess it's good to show the dog what you want, but a food drop is more efficient in my opinion.

[@grassroots.k9]

different strokes for different folks! This is just one of the ways we utilize markers while tracking

[@nicholasf4315]

I disagree with markers for a couple reasons. 1. I want my dog to work independently from me. On real tracks there are no markers and it’s on me to identify my dogs behavior changes and adapt accordingly. 2. If my dog is giving me a subpar performance on a training track, he skips his reward for the day and we go back out the next day. Keep in mind this is only done on a “finished” dog that knows the game. Most “subpar” performances come from actually overtraining the dogs and it becomes boring for them.