Here is my new K-9 Partner "Boru." Named after the legendary King of Ireland, Brian Boru. I mentioned that I had the opportunity to get a very nice dog that wasn't working out with his team mates. Boru is a KNPV titled Belgian Malinois X Dutch Shepherd tested, selected and imported in November by some very talented trainers that work with a very elite unit. Boru wasn't working out as intended for them, he had an issue with multiple handlers working him. As I mentioned in another thread, he nailed a couple of handlers and a trainer. This was not an option for the types of missions these guys do.
I got Boru last Thursday and noticed a couple of issues which I mentioned. One was that he had some apprehension about "loading up" in the car. Initially, I didn't want to fight with this dog and was trying a take it slow, more motivational approach. He is just over 3 years old, very large, very strong and very intense. I don't like to fight with dogs and especially not this dog knowing some of his history. Well, the first days were a little rough getting him into the car. I used food and waited, and waited until he jumped in. I think it took 20 minutes one very cold and rainy night. The fact that it was midnight and I wanted to take care of my other dogs and tired, didn't help. I have fed him 3 x a day in the car. All his meals were fed in the car and he had to get in to eat.
I kept at it for 4 or 5 days and I could see the anxiety go away and the time shortened. We bonded and have an awesome relationship. He is a great dog, that is actually very affectionate and fun. I think his association was that he had with the car was being put away for hours and the fun was over, combined with some E collar work to get him in the car.
We have a 12 acre fenced training compound with multiple buildings to use. I brought him there Monday, locked the gates and let him run. I played the "two ball game" to work the out and recall. Hid in a large building and called him in to find me. A fun easy way to start building search training.
I gave him his toy and he laid in the grass chewing on it. I placed cheese in the back of the car, opened the cage to the front seat and left the rear door open. I drove about 20 yards and he came running to the car. He then jumped in and ate the cheese. The cage was open and I petted and praised him. He jumped out and I put more cheese out and he jumped in and out.
I am very happy to say that getting in the car is no longer and issue and something Boru really enjoys. He was in and out with ease today at training with a very eager jump in. He now waits when I open the door and will stand to be praised, petted and loved on when he hops in.
No handler aggression with me, quite the opposite, I feel that I have had this dog his whole life. But, he is a drivey, civil dog and today was the first day of bite work with him. Wow, he is a beast and a bad ass, in a good way. I was expecting a very edgy dog, that I would have to work on capping and him not being frantic. Man, he is clear headed, took a lot of pressure and was very comfortable with me approaching, petting and handling him on the bite. He has that real full, pushing KNPV style of bite that I really like and brings some real nice power. He impressed the decoy, the two PDs that were there and me. It was super nice.
Did I say that I am super happy? I am super happy with this dog, I hit the power ball with him. Oh, and excellent hips, elbows and spine. X rays were fantastic.
I was told that he is a "one person" dog and needed to work with one handler. His original occupation called for several handlers and he did not do well in that environment. I have spent time drinking coffee with this dog outside and he just wants to hug me and drink my coffee. In less than a week he is exceeding my expectations and progressing faster than I would have thought. I can't wait to certify and catch some bad guys with this dog.
Tomorrow more bite work and hard surface tracking. I will get some video to post if anyone is interested as we train.
Malinois and Dutch coming out of KNPV lines are referred to as Mal X (cross) if they are blonde and Dutch X if brindle. KNPV lines liberally cross these two as the focus is on traits for protection work and not color. Most of the Dutch in the US are out of KNPV lines hence crosses. Genetically only the color varies.
In both Malinois and Dutch Shepherds there are "pure" lines referred to as FCI lines. These are not crossed one to the other or at least not for many generations. But there is a lot of argument whether or not they are different breeds or just different coat colors.
Very interested in video and following your training with this dog. He sounds fantastic, just needed the right handler. He looks huge in the pictures!
Congrats!
Beautiful dog and he sounds amazing! May you have a productive and safe career together, definitely keep us updated on his progress and go kick some butt Boru!
Thanks! What a happy post. I'd say I'm jealous (I am) but I have neither the ability or inclination to work with such an amazing dog, so I'm content to live vicaryously through you. I read every word, would LOVE to see videos.
Good looking dog Jim! I really like your approach to the issue. Trust and bond are so very important in LE work, and whatever tools you use( food, praise, toys, balls, love, etc) so your craftsmanship in your work with dogs. Big time respect from me!
Good looking dog Jim! I really like your approach to the issue. Trust and bond are so very important in LE work, and whatever tools you use( food, praise, toys, balls, love, etc) shows your craftsmanship in your work with dogs. Big time respect from me!
Thank you all very much! I'm super excited about training and working with this dog. It seems it was one of those things that was meant to be. He was tested and selected out of 45 dogs in Holland by some friends who train some very elite dogs. They spent a good amount of money on him and were correct in their assessment that he needs one handler. The vendor wanted this dog to get a good working home and offered him to me at a price my PD would pay and it was an awesome deal. I am still working "Boomer" for the next few months while I train Boru.
Yes, he is a big, lanky all legs of a dog right now. He is a skinny 65 lbs and will probably wind up being about 70 lbs of muscle.
Jax,
Not yet. I am still working the street with Boomer until Boru certifies. It is bitter sweet, to see Boomer retire, he has had a great career. Boomer has made me look good every day. He has had some really awesome apprehensions of some really bad people, located missing alzheimer's and suicidal people in swamps and deep woods. He has made almost 100 apprehensions in his career and found lots of Narcotics. Worked him on the SWAT team for the past 7 years and has kept me safe a whole lot of times. Boomer is an awesome dog and will have a nice retirement relaxing at my house. He has been a super easy dog for me and I love him. I see a lot of the same qualities, traits and temperament in Boru. I have been truly blessed and spoiled with Boomer. He is a tough act to follow.
Cliff,
Thanks! I prefer to work smarter and not harder. I like to use all the tools that I can, toys, praise, affection and even food for certain behaviors. I don't need to tell you that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. I'm headed out to do some training and get him started on his hard surface scent discrimination tracking. Tracking is something that I love and there is nothing more rewarding then the person that you are searching for at the end of your track.
Jim, my Brother ya done good! Congrats and I'd love to hear more about his progress when you have a few minutes! Sounds like a match made in heaven! Good luck and Congrats once again!
Excellent work!! It is nice to see patience. So often including myself at times we as PSD handlers because of time restraints show little time for patience. Watching your vids and reading your writings he should turn out to be an excellent prospect.
Yes my favorite picture is with you both snuggling. Like the idea feeding him the car your patience paid off my moms dog doesn't like the car I will pass on this story. Congratulations!
I did see some frustration today from him, right after the bite work when the decoy ran away and hid. He quickly took it out on the leash. He was intense, way up in drive and definitely did not want to stop the bite session. I then saw some more later when I went to take him away from his toys. He came back at the leash real quickly, but he didn't bite me. That was good, and it was over quickly, also good. More things to work on tomorrow, and next week, and next month. I saw a little of what I was told about.
I have a lot to think about over a beer tonight. I will be tweaking my plan each day for sure. Tracking is going very well, I may just track all day for the next month. :smirk:
Jim, what were his car issues? I have a dog that whines to no end. It is not a low whine either. High pitch, screaming/screeching. He loves getting in the car. Every time we walk by my car, he stops and looks at the door. As the car moves, he starts up. For hours at a time, this goes on. I have recently started with a bark collar that is helping, but he is getting shocked more than I like.
His issue was not wanting to get in he car and fighting like an Alligator doing a death roll. That issue is fixed and now he happily hops right in. Fortunately for me he is quiet in the car, I would not want the whining that you are dealing with. Good luck!
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