Page 152 - ShowSight - September 2019

Lines from Linda: Dr. Carmen Battaglia Leads... BY LINDA AYERS TURNER KNORR continued
PHOTOS BY AIDAN GERETY, AKC
the AKC was asked to help. The AKC Board responded by establishing the AKC Dog Detection Task Force. The mission was to bring together the stakeholders, develop a pilot program, involve the breed- ers and puppy raisers and increase the sup- ply of needed dogs.
Breeders who have an interest in this program apply through an application process that is reviewed for acceptance by AKC consultant, Scott Thomas. Applicants are screened for their willingness to breed their females, socialize the pups produced and enrich their experiences until they are 8-10 months of age. The AKC Dog Detec- tion Task Force also works with puppy rais- ers. These are individual willing to social- ize and help develop young puppies using recommended protocols until they are 8-10 months of age. Breeders and puppy raisers work out their own financial arrangements.
APPLICANTS WHO BECOME A PARTICIPANT
The success of the Task Force is based on breeder and puppy raiser involvement. It requires breeders to breed, raise and devel- op pups and participate in a yearlong data gathering the program.
The pilot program of the AKC Dog Detection Task Force currently uses two breeds that are popular with many govern- ment agencies and private sector vendors. They are the Labrador Retriever and Ger- man Shorthair Pointer. Adjunct breeds have also been added based on their breed history as a detection or patrol dog.
PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS
The objectives of the Dog Detection Task Force include behavioral and DNA studies that are used to better understand
breeding methods, kennel life, maternal influences, nutrition, and ways to make improvements. In order to accomplish these objectives those selected will be expected to:
• Plan to produce a litter with the intention of holding back one or more puppies to be dedicated to this program for one year. Breeding stock will include only those dogs that meet the health initiatives rec- ommended by their parent club
• Complete timely reports and take videos of their pups as they develop
• Participate in conference calls and webinars hosted by the
AKC consultant
• Participate in weekly reporting and quarterly video testing
• Record and submit data weekly on each pup
• Submit a DNA mouth swab that is provided which will be used
for research
• Actively participate in evaluations scheduled at 3, 6, and 9 months of age
• Submit on a quarterly basis behav- ioral videos of each dog performing a standardized test (ACS/TSA)
• Receive and use feedback about puppy development based on reports and videos submitted
• Be willing to share information and learn from others
• Breeder participants in the pilot will be given access to a password pro- tected site where information is stored
• Puppy Raisers agree to socialize and train a puppy (8-12 weeks) using suggested protocols and be dedicated to this program for one year
• Priority will be given to the two target breeds
SUPPORT FOR PUPPY RAISERS
Puppy raisers are a special feature of the AKC Dog Detection Task program. These individuals help by raising a puppy for up to 10 months of age. Many puppy raisers with children provide an ideal situation for a puppy’s development. The protocols developed by the AKC consultant include socialization, enrichment and training peri- ods. Puppy raisers are expected to provide information and videos as pups develop. They are expected to participate in the eval- uations at 3, 6 and 9 months of age.
Breeders who place puppies with puppy raisers select their own puppy raiser and enter into their own agreements regarding any financial considerations for raising the pups and how the costs and expenses will be managed. The final disposition about puppy’s, their placement and selling price is made by the breeder.
BUYERS
Most buyers are looking for young untrained dogs, called “green dogs”. Expe- rience shows that buyers are varied and include Federal and State Agencies, police departments, private vendors who are breeders and others who purchase young puppies from breeders that they intend to train for their specific buyers.
The Task Force does not negotiate, own, buy or sell dogs but does provide advice and assistance. Agencies and organizational buyers are not recommended. If they are known to the Task Force they will be placed on an information list that is passed along for breeders to use.
150 • ShowSight Magazine, SepteMber 2019