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“Viewpoints”                                                                                An Informational Resource to Narcotics Detection Training

 CONDITIONING AND ITS EFFECTS – A FINAL DISCUSSION

      This article will continue in the discussion of the concept of conditioning and its effects, which can and do have an impact upon a working canine team.  Conditioning training may produce either positive or adverse results for a team, which are linked directly to the conditioning methods being applied in a given training program.  For the purpose of this article, conditioning will be addressed as to its importance for narcotics detection training, even though it spans across the entire spectrum in the training of the police service dog trained in other specialties.

      There is a common phrase used by many involved in the training of working canines, which is for the most part accurate.  “Repetition builds Conditioning”.

In the realm of narcotics training this concept is important, however the manner and methods in which it is utilized are of more significance, which will either enhance or limit the teams working capabilities.  With respect to the training of narcotics detection dog teams, repetition of a training method does not always   imply that quality training will be the result.  This is especially true if unknown flaws are being incorporated into the training process, whereby the use of repetition through conditioning will have an adverse affect, which will only create and compound problems for the team and its working capabilities.  Conditioning is a process that occurs over time.  It does not just happen overnight.  To implement positive conditioning, it is a process requiring a series of correct and precise increments.  This is known as “Successive Approximation”.  An example being, teaching a canine to search for high and deep concealments.  The process must first begin by teaching and conditioning the canine to search low and shallow depths in the initial training.  Upon properly conditioning the canine at this level, heights and depths may be increased gradually until the canine is actively searching and capable of detecting high and deeper placed concealments.

 Conditioning Factors Considered in Narcotics Training 

     There are many conditioning factors in narcotics training to be considered and identified in order that a team progress in its training, while avoiding areas which could present problems for the team in a real life working environment.

     The importance of numerous training locations and search types cannot be over emphasized in ongoing narcotics training.  This applies to locations to include buildings, commercial and passenger vehicles, aircraft, boats, semi trailers, recreational vehicles, etc.   Training in different physical environments exposes the team to a range of working problems in which they will be better prepared in their duties on the street.  Teams which train in only one specific location or search type for narcotics training, for example, will in fact condition themselves to that working environment.  Over a period of time, the team will perform like a robot as they have been conditioned to that location.  The problem surfaces when the team is called to work in an environment that they have not trained for with similar characteristics.  An example, being a team that trains only in hotel rooms and are called to search a large commercial building, warehouse or residence.  The teams will not exhibit the same “robot search intensive execution” which they have been conditioned as a result of limiting themselves to only one training location.  The same applies to locations of narcotic hides during the training session.  It is important to challenge the team in locating new concealment areas during the training process.  The team should gradually be conditioned towards increased levels of difficulty of concealment locations, to include heights and depths.  The team should be exposed to various types of container composites such as cloth, metal, plastic, glass, nylon, vinyl, wood, cardboard, leather, etc.. in which a narcotic hide could be concealed.  Narcotic training bags are a great training tool, however, they should not be the only hide container used in narcotics training.

     A second conditioning factor to be considered are the narcotics training standards being utilized during the training sessions.  It is important to use varying amounts of the controlled substances being used as concealments in the training process.  Concealment amounts should also include residual amounts.  This is especially important as money forfeitures are considered.  It is recognized that access to large pound and kilo amounts for narcotics training by canine units is often difficult to obtain.  However, those units having opportunities to train with departments that maintain these quantities should take advantage of these types of training activities that will also assist in large volume conditioning training.

      In regard to the training standards being utilized it is important that the departments inventory material be periodically rotated out to avoid training with dated material.  During training sessions it is suggested that the use of varying set times of the training material being concealed be included into the training problem.  In addition, the periodic use of masking agents and commercial products in the training process are highly recommended in enhancing the team’s ability to work through distraction odors in locating concealments.

      In conclusion, conditioning is developed through repetitive action, which if performed properly teaches the canine to perform specific task functions.  This process begins from the first day the canine is introduced to drug box training in detecting specific controlled substances and advances onto detailed search patterns exhibited by the canine during building searches, vehicle searches, etc…Conditioning must be viewed as an art by those involved in the training of narcotics dogs.  Conditioning training performed properly is an invaluable training tool.  Failure to understand and apply it correctly can lead to long-term problems for the narcotics detection team.

     The next issue of “Viewpoints” will address basic handler mechanics to which are designed to improve narcotics search performance.  If you have any questions or comments concerning this article, please feel free to contact this author, Master Trainer Mike Johnson at “Viewpoints” at johnmill4@aolcom .

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