At Von Rhys Kennels we believe it takes a combination of genetics and development to make a good Service dog. A dog with good development but poor genetics is more than likely going to fail. Also a dog with good genetics that does not get proper development is also likely not going to make a good Service dog.
Beginning the development of the young pups at eight weeks old we teach them to put their nose down. We conduct training to develop a calm and full mouth grip. We also start their socialisation to the wide world in order to strengthen their nerve in order to develop a balanced and calm dog.
We start our puppies slowly and methodically teaching them to first follow scent trails then pattern tracks. Moving on only when they are ready, eventually progressing to hard surface and suburban tracks. The same applied to their protection work. first developing a strong calm grip, then moving on to sleeves and hidden arms. When they have demonstrated a confidence and willingness for the exercises we introduce more defence drive into the exercises till we have a dog that will confidently stand it’s ground or chase and apprehend a decoy.
The owner with his first Police Dog PD Jinx
Von Rhys Holly Huntress/Chilli
Introducing our latest edition from the H litter. We are hoping she will replace her grandmother Von Rhys Bada in our breeding program. She is progressing well. She is proving to have a strong nerve and very mischievous with a strong grip. She is also proving to be a good little tracker and article searcher.
Von Rhys Huntress Holly/Chilli rural residential track. 5 & 1/2 month old German Shepherd pup. 40 min old rural residential area, 3 road crossings, 2 articles on track. Chilli missed the first article and indicated on the second one. Large distraction of a dead bird on track as well as barking dogs at fences. Reasonable amount of road traffic over road crossings. Track itself not overly hard but happy with the focus and ignoring of distractions on track. Good show of loss and indication of road crossings.
Hard surface 15 minute old track. Walked not scuffed. 4 peaces of dry on track. Chilli is 4 months old in this video..
Von Darco Xandie
Xandie is our new addition from Von Darcor Kennels. She is only 4 months old and this is her second hard surface track. She has been doing scent work since the age of 2 months. This track is 10 minutes old with food at every 10 to 12 steps. No scuffing just walked. Track run at 08:30 hrs 26 degrees with 80 percent humidity. no breeze to speak of.
Von Rhys cleo
Cleo completing protection training. She is being put into environments that make her feel uneasy to teach her that she can win in these situations.
Von Rhys Cleo suburban track
Cleo is one of our dogs who was returned to us by her owners due to personal reasons. She is a 3 1/2 year old desexed female with a lot of drive. This track is her second suburban track. She has only been tracking for just over 2 months. Her late age to being introduced to tracking is not what I would call ideal. She air scents when the odour is prevalent and only puts her nose down when it is not readily available, this can lead to her going in the wrong direction following to slightest bit of odour. When she does put her nose down she is very accurate. It is unlikely she will ever get out of lifting her head at this late age. The handler must always know where they last had track.
Anzac/von darco wreath's first industrial track
4mths old Anzac has been purchased from Von Darcor Kennels to join our breeding program here at Von Rhys Kennels. This is her first Industrial track. Laid at 3:45pm. No scuffing just walked in bare feet. Aged for 15 minutes. Blowing a gale. A small distraction from a factory on first leg but received well. Had a car drive over the middle of the track just before running, she recovered the track well. Not too bad for first outing in the real world.
VIDEO OF AL & AXE TRACKING
Tracks at 15 Weeks old conducted at a dog on lead area and children's playground which a party is being conducted. The area is a high distraction area. I like to get these guys used to these conditions early as it gets them ready for the real world and I believe it is much easier to get them to track under these conditions at this age then if left to a later age.
Al has been tracking since he was 8 weeks old and has been doing hard surface gravel tracks and has just been moved back onto grass as a reward track. The track has food every 4th-6th foot step and is 15 minutes old. Al is not as methodical Axe and pulls hard into the lead and skips most of the food on the track to get the prize at the end. As he is being trained as a police dog and not an IPO sport dog I do not have a problem with him not being directly on the track. He is tracking human scent not crushed odour. It is not for me to say where the dog is locating the scent.
Al has been tracking since he was 8 weeks old and has been doing hard surface gravel tracks and has just been moved back onto grass as a reward track. The track has food every 4th-6th foot step and is 15 minutes old. Al is not as methodical Axe and pulls hard into the lead and skips most of the food on the track to get the prize at the end. As he is being trained as a police dog and not an IPO sport dog I do not have a problem with him not being directly on the track. He is tracking human scent not crushed odour. It is not for me to say where the dog is locating the scent.
Axe's track has food just off the track that I did not see when laying it. You will see him go to it, I give a verbal correction of "No" and move him away from it and then step him past it. Ax is a month behind Al in his tracking but he is more methodical then Al taking just about every piece of food off the track and only eating what he wants at the end.
UP DATED VIDEOS OF GRIP AND TRACKING WITH AL.
Grip development with Al at 6mths old. This exercise is to help develop drive, calm and full mouth grip.
Video of laying Al's industrial track at 6mths old. The track is laid in bare feet heel to toe. No food on track (plenty of bindis on the last leg). 3 articles along the track and 1 at the end. Food reward will be given after the track, Just praise whilst tracking. The humidity was moderate, wind 10-15kts SE and 25 degrees temp. Track laid in a manner to make it easy for the person filming.
Industrial track 15minutes old. Distractions on track (neck bone a meter and a half from finish, missed when laying track). Hard surface and road crossings. (Note to ones self must make a conscious effort to make sure I put another set of clothes on before the next video LOL).
Industrial track 20 minutes old. Walked not scuffed. Laid in the middle of the day 24 degrees, NE, E 5 kts. 700m long. Had not done a track over 3 weeks, not bad but not up to his best.
Suburban track 14 month old Al
20 minute old 700m long suburban track. Al is on a short line and collar to keep the pace off him. This was the last track he did with a short line and has now moved to a 10 meter line and harness. The track was run at 3:45pm in the afternoon. Sight SE breeze 5kts-10kts 28 degree Celsius.
Bada 5 months old tracking footstep to footstep IPG tracking.
Bada protection work
Bada at 3 years old doing extracts from vehicles.
Von Rhys Bronson
3 Year old Bronson doing suspicion work and protection work
Von Rhys Elsie
Grip development with both Ember and Elsie at 6 months of age.
bronson building searchBronson's second building search also third bite on hidden arm. 5 weeks of traing since taking him back. He is doing well considering he has had no development or socialisation for the last 3 years.
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Bronson track25 minute old track. Police style human scent track not IGP. Only had 5 weeks of scent work to date. Slow start but finally focused and made a start. Please with his focus on track considering the distractions. As he has had no early development his work ethic is very questionable thus the amount of praise throughout the video. Normally very little talk would be heard on track.
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