Sniffer Dogs – A Day In The Life of a Scent Dog
If you have ever watched any TV show or movie that has something to do with crime investigation or drug detection, then you have probably already seen how a scent dog does its job. These are specific dog training breeds that have a great talent!
The sniffing talent of these dogs is already quite impressive in itself, but the way they use it to track down criminals, find drug stashes and locate explosive devices is nothing short of astounding. Anyone who sees these scent dogs in action will certainly be amazed at their skills. What we don’t see, however, is the intensive training that these dogs have to go through in order to hone their sniffing skills.
Finding the Best Scent Dogs
Compared to humans, dogs have a very remarkable sense of smell. But not all dogs are equally qualified to become working scent dogs. These special canines are selected from many different breeds but most of the best candidates are Labrador retrievers and German shepherds.
Training scent dogs is no easy feat. The first stage is to scout for dogs with great potential and adopt them in preparation for the training process.
What most of the candidates have in common is that they are highly energetic, usually too much so for their previous owners who willingly give them up for adoption. Quite interestingly, many of these dogs who have been given up by their owners end up doing great service for human society.
Many dog training agencies also get their scent dogs from private breeders and dog shelters. However, not all initially chosen dogs have what it takes to become a full-fledged professional sniffer.
Green Training
A new method of training scent dogs is called green training. In this method, instructors teach dogs to identify certain scents but without the rigorous procedures used in traditional dog training centers. In other words, they still lack a significant amount of training before they can be regarded as “finished” dogs.
What many training agencies today do is to get green-trained dogs and simply finish the training process. This is certainly a much more efficient method than training an uneducated dog right from the beginning.
Breeding Scent Dogs
To make the process of finding scent dogs much easier, many dog training agencies today work closely with dog breeders in order to increase the likelihood of getting dogs that already have the right temperament, soundness and work ethic.
An excellent example is the Australian Custom Service Detector Dog Program, which has developed its own Labrador retriver breeding program. The dogs bred in this program all have high energy levels, as well as strong drives for hunting, which are necessary qualities to make a top scent dog.
Training Your Boxer Dog Breed
Of all the dog breeds you can choose from, a boxer will be loyal companion when you establish a friendship. They are known to be very high energy and playfully fun. Their uniqueness means that not everyone would be compatible with a boxer. Anyone who does invest in this type of dog will find they need lots of attention and professional training. Learning how to train your boxer is not too difficult given the fact this breed is highly intelligent. However, beware. This breed can use its intellect to get over you.
Boxers Trained As Guard Dogs
Boxers have typically and traditionally been trained as guard dogs. It has been their job for centuries. For those who do not do their research, they may assume boxers are aggressive. They are in reality one of the most playful breed of dogs. Their general appearance may seem intimidating and fierce which is why some people wrongfully fear them. However, if you do not learn how to train your boxer, they may be more aggressive and mean than you ever wanted in a pet.
A stubborn personality often accompanies the intellect of the boxer breed. This actually is a benefit to their dog training. It might feel frustrating when you are in the midst of learning how to train your boxer, trying to get your dog to listen, and they subtly look up at you letting you know they have no intention of doing what you want.
They can give a ‘who do you think you are?’ kind of expression on their cute faces. Patience will get you through these difficult encounters. You can begin actual training your boxer dog as soon as they are six weeks old. The sooner you start the better. You if you continue to excite and play with your dog, he will be more socialized and more eager to please.
Socializing your boxer is part of the training. The training is an extremely important part of making sure your boxer becomes friendly. Utilizing professional training courses will get your pet used to others and other dogs. Receiving training alongside other people’s pets is best for your boxer’s behavior.
Once you pet gets to be around 13 to 16 weeks old, thee time has come to dive into vigorous training. When learning how to train your boxer, they will struggle to show they are more dominant than you. They will refuse to listen to commands. This is where it is essential for you to step and be the boss. Never tolerate this behavior and they will learn it is not acceptable.
