Understanding reinforcement through the stages of detection dog training
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Understanding reinforcement through the stages of detection dog training
I recently asked my online community of detection dog trainers a deceptively simple question: "What do you reinforce when you train your detection dog, and when?" The flood of thoughtful responses made one thing crystal clear: there's no one-size-fits-all answer. And that’s a good thing.
Detection dog training evolves through stages. Each stage brings different goals, challenges, and criteria for when and how to deliver reinforcement. Recognizing this progression is key to building strong, reliable, and happy working dogs. In this blog, I want to explore those stages, highlight different approaches, and also share my own perspective.
Puppies first: let dogs be dogs
Before we dive into training strategies, it’s worth mentioning something close to my heart: I like pups to become dogs first. That means letting them grow up with curiosity, play, and joy. There’s no need to start shaping a precise detection behavior from day one. Give them space to explore the world and develop their natural drives before we layer on expectations.
Too often, trainers feel pressure to get to work immediately—shaping behaviors, teaching alerts, and introducing odor. But a confident, emotionally balanced dog with a strong play drive is the perfect candidate for high-performance detection work later. Let them mature, bond, and play. You’ll build a stronger foundation that way.
Stage 1: Building motivation through play and Hunt
In the beginning, it's about play and hunting games. I want dogs to learn one thing clearly: hunt, find, and boom — the reinforcement arrives. It’s a happy, simple, and effective way to build strong motivation and a love for the work.
One of my followers, Erica Vieira, described it beautifully:
"Beginners I'll encourage a COB and when they eventually display the TFR, I use a marker followed by a huge party like they are 5 years old, it’s their birthday and they are going to Disney kind of excitement."
That joy is key. At this point, clarity matters more than precision. We're building energy, drive, and a basic understanding that searching gets rewarded.
Stage 2: Direct Odor Imprint (DOI)
Once that hunting drive is alive and well, I move into odor imprinting. In my Direct Odor Imprint (DOI) course, I teach that the reaction to the target odor should be reinforced immediately and consistently.
There are no steps in between. The process is:
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Present the target odor.
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Dog reacts.
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Reinforcement follows.
We do this over several reps. Once the dog is confident, I introduce a blank target (no odor). The dog now starts making choices: which one smells like the good stuff? Reinforce the correct choice.
From here, we quickly move to three targets: one with the target odor, two with distractions. The dog learns through experience that only the target odor leads to reinforcement.
Trainer Angela Lavergne described a similar system:
"Younger dog - encouraged when in scent - paid when nose hits source and party if he turns and sits. Certified dogs - reinforce when they search a difficult area... They get paid at TRG."
This matches well with the principle of shaping through success. We add complexity only when the dog is ready, and the reinforcement keeps the process fun and rewarding.
Debunking the "Kong First" TFR approach
One method that has gained popularity in scent sport and even in operational circles is the "Kong first" TFR training. In this system, dogs are first taught to perform a trained final response (TFR) on a visible piece of Kong. Only later is odor introduced. The assumption is that this response will transfer cleanly once the dog encounters the scent of Kong during a search.
While I understand the logic, I think this approach is flawed—especially when applied too early or too rigidly.
Why? Because in practice, it often teaches the dog that holding a behavior (like staring or sitting) is what brings the reward—not detecting the odor. This disconnect can lead to serious problems down the line.
Imagine a dog that has learned: "If I hold my freeze, I get my toy." Now introduce distraction odors. What happens when the dog performs that same freeze on the wrong odor? There’s no reward. Confusion sets in. The dog offers an even longer freeze. Frustration grows. You’re now fighting a behavior chain that you built yourself.
Åsah Calvet, a detection sport trainer from Sweden, explained it well:
"I believe that if extinction happens the dog will start to make false indications, lose interest or get extremely frustrated. Dogs build expectations so fast. If 'yes' is not followed by a reward a few times, they start to believe they're wrong."
This is a real concern.
I prefer to flip the model: reward the reaction to odor first. Let the dog experience cause and effect directly. Odor = reward. It's clean, efficient, and avoids the pitfall of building a false chain around the alert behavior.
Once the odor recognition is solid, we can build in more complex responses. But by then, the dog knows that odor is king.
Stage 3: Discrimination and clarity
Now the dog starts seeing multiple targets. One has the correct odor. Others are blanks or distractions. The dog must choose. This is where reinforcement sharpens accuracy.
Trainer Michelle Garlick describes using reinforcement to shape complex behavior chains:
"I aim to reinforce clean loops and individual components that meet criteria... then I combine and chain the components for one reinforcement of greater magnitude."
This is where training becomes art. We build behavioral mass and momentum. We challenge the dog. But we also stay clear: correct choice = reinforcement.
This stage doesn’t require perfection, but it does require consistency. The timing and meaning of your reinforcement matters more than ever.
Stage 4: Generalization and proofing
Now we ask: can the dog perform the same task in a new room, in a forest, with a crowd, with noise, with time pressure?
This is where reinforcement becomes about celebrating success in context.
Trainer Karin Apfel put it well:
"In training I might mark and reinforce good sourcing (before the TFR), or I may reinforce quality searching in a blank area, or drive to odour in a green dog."
We adapt. We shape. We reward what matters most in that moment—often that means the effort, the decision, or the persistence.
Stage 5: Real-world application and maintenance
In trials or deployments, we can’t always deliver food or a toy. But we can still reinforce. Social rewards matter. So does letting the dog continue to search (which many dogs find reinforcing in itself).
Åsah shared a brilliant insight:
"After a hide the dog has to continue after a social reward... the reward becomes the continued search. Because they love searching!"
This is where your early work pays off. A dog that understands the big picture, finds joy in the job, and trusts the handler will stay motivated even when rewards are delayed or limited.
Conclusion: respect the process, respect each other
Training a detection dog is not about finding the method. It’s about understanding your method, respecting the stage your dog is in, and being clear with your criteria.
Some of you reinforce change of behavior. Others reinforce only the trained final response. Some start with food, others with play. That diversity is not a problem—it’s a strength.
But whatever method you use, remember this:
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Dogs need clarity.
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Reinforcement timing shapes understanding.
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Odor must always be the key to the reward.
Thanks again to the incredible trainers who shared their insights. This blog is just the beginning of an ongoing conversation about how we can improve, adapt, and inspire each other.
If you're curious about diving deeper into these methods, or want to learn more about Direct Odor Imprint, feel free to reach out. And please keep sharing your thoughts—your experiences help make us all better.
Until next time, happy training!
— Simon