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I received two questions via email this week regarding single bark barrels:
“Do you start the dogs on a single barrel before using multiple barrels?”
“Do you do any bark alert work on a single bark barrel?”
No, we do not start dogs on a single barrel before using multiple barrels. The purpose of Teaching Focused Scenting as a foundation training method is to quickly and clearly “marry” the target odor (live human scent) with the reward. In using this method, the dog immediately learns to use and rely on his scenting abilities in order to find the helper and obtain his reward. This video demonstrates a “green” (new) dog at work on the barrels. You can see the moment when he begins to scent for the helper instead of systematically sticking his nose into each barrel lid hole (2:12). This is the dog’s first day of disaster search training. This is also the first time he’s ever seen bark barrels:
In the Focused Scenting training, the dog’s behavior is shaped in a progression which first teaches him that finding the target odor is significant because in the dog’s mind it means his reward of the tug game is forthcoming. The method then teaches him to bark in frustration at the source of the target odor to obtain the reward. As a result, the dog learns that there is only one path to obtaining his reward and there is only one place that the reward game occurs.
This path is:
1) Search for target odor
2) Find the point of source of the target odor
3) Bark
4) Have game with the toy
The duration of the bark alert is built in a similar manner to what is traditionally done with a single barrel (variable interval of reinforcement); however, we use multiple barrels in order to incorporate a search to locate the helper prior to the bark alert. This maintains the integrity of the path to reward as described above, making the training clearer to the dog.
A single bark barrel is a visual exercise during which the dog is not required to use his scenting ability to find the helper. The dog learns to bark in response to the visual stimulus of the barrel itself. In essence, we are training a dog to trust his eyes when using a single barrel.
On a single barrel, the dog learns that the path to reward is:
1) Identify barrel using eyes
2) Run to front of barrel
3) Bark
4) Tug with reward toy
Evidence of this is present when we start dogs on the multiple barrels who have already experienced a single barrel. Such dogs will bark at any of the barrels because they are responding to the visual stimulus of the barrel and not target odor.
When using a single barrel during foundation training, we are essentially teaching the dog a path to reward that is contrary to the final series of desired behaviors. Using multiple barrels and requiring the dog to utilize its scenting abilities to locate the helper enables the dog’s sense of smell to drive him in the work, thus maintaining a clear and purposeful training progression.
The FEMA FSA and SUSAR Type II evaluations do require the dog to bark for 30 seconds at a single barrel. A dog trained in the Focus Scenting method responds to this exercise as if it was a search. They do not see the barrel as a stimulus to alert until they identify that it contains the target odor of live human scent. However, in order to prepare the handler and dog team for this exercise, we will do a few repetitions on a single barrel in the weeks or days prior to the evaluation.
“Do you start the dogs on a single barrel before using multiple barrels?”
“Do you do any bark alert work on a single bark barrel?”
No, we do not start dogs on a single barrel before using multiple barrels. The purpose of Teaching Focused Scenting as a foundation training method is to quickly and clearly “marry” the target odor (live human scent) with the reward. In using this method, the dog immediately learns to use and rely on his scenting abilities in order to find the helper and obtain his reward. This video demonstrates a “green” (new) dog at work on the barrels. You can see the moment when he begins to scent for the helper instead of systematically sticking his nose into each barrel lid hole (2:12). This is the dog’s first day of disaster search training. This is also the first time he’s ever seen bark barrels:
In the Focused Scenting training, the dog’s behavior is shaped in a progression which first teaches him that finding the target odor is significant because in the dog’s mind it means his reward of the tug game is forthcoming. The method then teaches him to bark in frustration at the source of the target odor to obtain the reward. As a result, the dog learns that there is only one path to obtaining his reward and there is only one place that the reward game occurs.
This path is:
1) Search for target odor
2) Find the point of source of the target odor
3) Bark
4) Have game with the toy
The duration of the bark alert is built in a similar manner to what is traditionally done with a single barrel (variable interval of reinforcement); however, we use multiple barrels in order to incorporate a search to locate the helper prior to the bark alert. This maintains the integrity of the path to reward as described above, making the training clearer to the dog.
A single bark barrel is a visual exercise during which the dog is not required to use his scenting ability to find the helper. The dog learns to bark in response to the visual stimulus of the barrel itself. In essence, we are training a dog to trust his eyes when using a single barrel.
On a single barrel, the dog learns that the path to reward is:
1) Identify barrel using eyes
2) Run to front of barrel
3) Bark
4) Tug with reward toy
Evidence of this is present when we start dogs on the multiple barrels who have already experienced a single barrel. Such dogs will bark at any of the barrels because they are responding to the visual stimulus of the barrel and not target odor.
When using a single barrel during foundation training, we are essentially teaching the dog a path to reward that is contrary to the final series of desired behaviors. Using multiple barrels and requiring the dog to utilize its scenting abilities to locate the helper enables the dog’s sense of smell to drive him in the work, thus maintaining a clear and purposeful training progression.
The FEMA FSA and SUSAR Type II evaluations do require the dog to bark for 30 seconds at a single barrel. A dog trained in the Focus Scenting method responds to this exercise as if it was a search. They do not see the barrel as a stimulus to alert until they identify that it contains the target odor of live human scent. However, in order to prepare the handler and dog team for this exercise, we will do a few repetitions on a single barrel in the weeks or days prior to the evaluation.
