NEW ENGLAND CANINE
SEARCH & RESCUE
Proudly presents:
POLICE DECOY & SAR SUBJECT SEMINAR
Taught by:
NAPWDA MT Stephen “Doc” Mackenzie
POLICE DECOY SAR SUBJECT
When: November 13-15 (F-S-S)
Where: Camp Niantic, Smith Street Niantic, CT 06357
Time: 0830-1600
Cost: $125
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch included all three days.
For the first time being offered by NAPWDA is a combined 3 day instructional class teaching both police and volunteers how to be a good Police K9 Decoy and a good Search and Rescue Subject.
Limited to 12 students only!
This is a hands on workshop emphasizing basic knowledge and skills essential for decoying police service dogs and acting as the subject for search and rescue dogs. It will focus on imitating the language of the dog, how to draw dogs to the subject in Search and Rescue humanely stimulating and rewarding; the proper types of aggression in police dogs and how to work external sleeves and bite suits the right way.
Participants are expected to provide the following if they plan on participating in the bite work phase:
1) Scratch pants that fit properly (must not be too long)
2) External sleeves (both left arm and right)
3) A sturdy stake line (back tie)
4) A dog that is experienced and comfortable doing bite work
***Search and Rescue Handlers will be permitted to participate in the bite work phase should they wish to learn how to decoy for police dogs only, a liability waiver must be signed prior to participation in the police decoy section of this training***
“In Dr. Stephen Mackenzie’s own words from Decoys and Aggression: A Police K9 Training Manual”
It is difficult, if not impossible, to train or maintain a patrol dog by yourself. At some point you will need someone to search for, apprehend or act as the aggressor to allow the dog to protect you.
Over the years this other person has been known by a variety of titles. He has been called an agitator (because he gets the dog agitated enough to bite); a catcher (since he catches the dog on a protective sleeve); a helper because he helps the dog learn its job): and a decoy (since he imitates the actions of an adversary). Regardless of what you call him, this person is one of the most important tools you have for training your dog. For simplicity, I will refer to decoys as males, but I know some excellent female decoys as well.
The Decoy's Vital Role
The decoy's skill, or lack of it, will dictate just how far you can take your dog;a good decoy will bring any dog to the peak of its potential. He can improve marginal dogs, help average dogs become good and turn a good a good dog into a superb performer. A bad decoy will decrease the performance level of any dog he works with. The good dog will drop to average or lower. The average dog might retain marginal skills and the marginal dog could well be ruined completely. Over time, it is even possible for good dogs to be completely ruined by incompetent decoys.
If you are working with no decoys at all, most dogs will slowly deteriorate and some will decide for themselves what they should be doing on the street (since no one else is defining their behavior). How the dog responds to the lack of work depends on its temperament. Weaker dogs will start biting poorly and eventually stop biting completely, even when the handler needs protecting. Without work, more aggressive animals will become control problems.
of the first "behavior problems" brought to me years ago was a dog with strong predatory and defensive drives. The dog had been inactive for some time, and when the officer started working it again, it completely refused to release after biting. Prong collars, electricity and other tools had already failed to correct the problem, so I went back to square one with myself as the decoy. By lunchtime the dog was releasing normally, and we had not used prongs or shock collars. We discovered that the officer's decoy had been giving signals that stimulated aggression right at the time the handler wanted the dog to release. In effect, there was no behavior problem. Having access to a good decoy is important to every trainer and handler.
A Wise Investment
Unfortunately, volunteers for this type of work do not grow on trees. Officers are often forced to work with people who have no training in the area (and consequently limited skills), simply because no one else is willing to help. Other officers have decoys with minimum to average skills and consider this sufficient. It is not. Decoys should be carefully selected, trained to the highest possible skill level, and given periodic refresher courses for maintenance. The extra time and resources invested in training decoys will not only yield better dogs, it might prevent many future handling problems. A good decoy is worth his weight in gold.
Dr. Mackenzie’s Bio:
Dr. Stephen A. Mackenzie holds a Ph.D. in the genetics of behavior from Cornell University. He is currently a Professor in the Animal Science Department at the State University of New York at Cobleskill, where he teaches Genetics, Care and Training of the Working Dog, Canine Management, Canine Training, Behavior Problems of Companion Animals and Domestic Animal Behavior. He has been a Deputy Sheriff for the Schoharie County Sheriff's Office for 25 years, serving as their K-9 handler and trainer for seven years. He is rated a Master Trainer of utility, cadaver, narcotics and wildlife detection dogs by the North American Police Work Dog Association and is the author of Decoys and Aggression: A Police K-9 Training Manual, Aggression Control: Teaching the “Out” and Police Officer’s Guide to K9 Searches. His 2nd edition of Decoys and Aggression: A Police K-9 Training Manual is due out this Fall.He is a court recognized expert in animal behavior at both the state and federal levels in both criminal and civil cases. He is a Nose Work trial judge for the National Association of Canine Scent Work and a frequent instructor at police dog seminars across the United States and Canada.
Accommodations:
Camp Niantic Army National Guard
Training Site (CT05R1)Formerly Camp Rell
Types of Rooms and Rates on Base:
Barracks
Are FREE of Charge they are newly updated with new mattresses and furniture you ARE allowed to bring your dog inside the barracks as long as you bring a crate in with you. (Bring towels/sheets/Blanket/pillow if you plan on staying in the barracks) Early Check in is available please contact me with your Name/DOB/Vehicle Reg# (required by military personnel)
HOTEL
There is a hotel on base as well but you are NOT allowed to bring your dog inside the hotel. The dog would have to sleep in your vehicle. Price quoted $40 per night.
Installation Information
Base Operator/Main Number: 860-691-4315
Main Installation Address: Camp Niantic, Smith Street Niantic, CT 06357
Directions to Main Gate: From I-95 North-South, Take Exit 74, - Take a right at the end of the ramp onto Rt 161, Follow the road straight through until the area turns residential, Sunoco on right, East Lyme Town Hall on right, Camp Rell sign points left, Left onto Smith Street, Left onto Pine Grove, Right at side gate entrance, Welcome to Camp Rell (renamed Camp Niantic in 2012, but some signs may still refer to Camp Rell)
Base Police: Emergencies, Dial 911Fitness: Exercise room available in facilityMedical: Emergencies, Dial 911Places to Eat: Off post Burke’s Tavern, Constantine’s Restaurant and Flanders Fish House are within driving distance
Things To Do: Camp Rell is not far from New London and Mystic Seaport. Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort and Casino are additional entertainment spots
Pet Friendly Cottages:
334 Rope Ferry Road
Waterford, CT 06385
ph: 860-443-6502
alt: 860-235-7162
Camp View Motor Court is open from April 1 through the end of November.
We are happy to offer cottages of all sizes and functionality to fit your specific needs. Whether you
are looking for a 'motel room' or a 'one bedroom apartment', Camp View Motor Court has just what you are looking for.
We have medium sized cottages with two beds and a kitchenette in three rooms as well as larger cabins that feature privacy, a living room, large eat-in kitchen, and even a deck for entertaining.
Because there are such a large variety of accommodationsthe pricing varies accordingly. Please feel free to contact us for room rates and to discuss your specific needs.
Grill available upon request
Picnic tables
Cable TV in each cottage
Early check-in available
Please call us at (860) 235-7162 to discuss your needs.
Any other questions don’t hesitate to call Sgt. Erica Vieira at 401-742-3537(cell)or 401-874-5256(Office) e-mail: or