The Definitive Guide to Laser Directionals 
Training locations
Hello! So I'm a little behind with the training due to sickness/surgeries/workload but the progress is going well. I am at the beginning of Module 2 and Atlas is doing very well with primed sends. Our first training location with the reps proved to be good for primed sends as well when we advanced to pre placed. Now that we are moving to 4-6 different locations and prepping for the introduction of the laser, should I have him confident enough in each location to do pre placed toy/bowl sends at each before I start introducing the laser? I have found that he is doing great with the entire priming visual setup with the toy and bowl and increasing distance at newer locations, but he doesn't always go directly to the bowl if it is pre placed at these newer additional locations. Is it moving too fast to introduce the laser if he is not reliably going to a pre placed toy/bowl at each of these newer locations (but is reliable with the primed setup)?
A second follow up question. I'm sorry if you cover this in future videos and I'm getting ahead of myself, just trying to prepare. I would like to have a "look for the laser" command. I have seen other handlers (common in SWAT) deploy their dog down a hallway and perform a forward down to hold a hallway intersection or area. From there, they give a "Laser" command to the dog and it is his command to look around for the laser from his held position away from the handler. Once he locates it visually, he watches the laser go to the target the handler puts it on. From there, the handler gives the normal "go to" command (just like given from his primed position at his side) and the dog leaves that position and goes to it. My question is, if this "look for the laser" command is something that I would like to have, would the appropriate time to start implementing the command be right when I first introduce the laser? I imagine I would do the systematic primed setup, dog ready to go, turn off the lights, and as I'm turning on the laser and moving it to the bowl, I give a calm "Laser" command (calm and keeping him in place) and pair it with him seeing the laser come on. Then I would send him with my normal "go to" command. Would this be the correct implementation of it? Any thoughts or potential issues you see with it? Again, I apologize if this is covered later and I got ahead of myself.
Thank you again for this! We are progressing well with it even if we are behind!
2 comments
Hi Jason,
It sounds like you may have misunderstood the progression plan somewhat.
In module 1 we introduce the directional send as a concept to the dog. We do so in visual light conditions to limit the variables for the dog. For the purpose of laser training we don't need the dog to learn about acquiring multiple environmental landmarks for directional sends, that is important for daytime directional sends only. Pat has some great course materials for that.
For the purpose of laser directionals i do the pre-placed toy in bowl at only ONE location where the dog has had many prime and send repetitions. This is also where we do the primed to "not visible" bowl sends. Once I see that the dog is able to pick out a planned landmark like a bush or object in the same direction as the bowl he can not see and reliably goes in the direction of this landmark he has learned what I want him to learn.
The next step is to introduce the laser as the ever present and consistent ONE landmark in low light he can always utilize.
This is where we progress to primed sends at the 4-6 laser able locations.
This is where we introduce the laser after priming. And after several visual light primes and darkness laser sends in those 4-6 locations over several training days we can then attempt to have the bowls already set up in those 4-6 locations with toys pre-placed. And now the only clue the dog gets is that he is in locations where he has done primed laser sends before. SO he will hopefully have an expectation of "go to" and will hopefully be in the right state of mind to acquire the laser (even though he has not seen bowl or toy) as soon as you turn it on. Careful not to illuminate the bowl, put the dot on the laserable surface behind the bowl and when you see him spot it give him the "go to" command and take it from there.
Armin
Hi again Jason,
Your second question about a command to "look for the laser".
If in your SWAT deployments you operate as you described, then it maybe helpful to have such a command as in a tactical environment he will get many visual clues he needs to ignore and limit himself to the laser.
You should definitely introduce this command in combination with the "preparatory position" which in your proximity serves the same purpose.
Module 2 and 3 have several steps that guide you to make your dog capable of doing laser directionals away from you physically and also to train the dog through visual distractions or conflicting clues which can and will interfere with laser reliability.
I am personally NOT a fan of "walking the laser" to the final sending location, this technique is a left over from the days when people tried to attract the dog with the light and wanted to entice them to "follow" it. This course teaches laser differently and more cleanly. Any time you move the laser around and farther than a couple of feet, you run the risk of illuminating something which may attract the dog visually other than the laser and he may then go to that location instead of where you finally put the laser.
Hopefully that answers at least some of your question.
Armin
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