Detector Dog Recruitment for Quarantine
Posted: Sun 27 Apr 2003 9:21 pmAustralian Quarantine is currently seeking canine recruits to work in our international mail centres and courier bonds. These dogs will be trained to find items of quarantine concern which include plant material, soil, seeds, birds, reptiles, eggs, meat and bees.
The ideal candidate is any dog which you think would also make an excellent working retriever. That is, a dog with high retrieve and hunt drives and sound temperament. In the past, all of Quarantine's active detector dogs (those which have an active response (digging) to target items) have been rewarded with a game of tug-a-war using a rolled up piece of towel. We are now also utilising dogs with a high food drive for food reward.
Ex-retrieving dogs that might be suitable include dogs which have a high drive but don't have the marking ability to take them further than novice and dogs which don't have the general aptitude for higher levels of retrieving work. All breeds are welcome - some of our most recent recruits include GSPs, golden retrievers and labradors.
The dogs must be at least 12 months old to be considered for recruitment and no older than 3 years old.
Detector dogs have an excellent life and when retired from work at the age of 8 most will go home with their handler to live.
If you have a dog which might be suitable or have any further questions feel free to email me on
kirsty.gray@aqis.gov.au
Happy trialling!
Kirsty
The ideal candidate is any dog which you think would also make an excellent working retriever. That is, a dog with high retrieve and hunt drives and sound temperament. In the past, all of Quarantine's active detector dogs (those which have an active response (digging) to target items) have been rewarded with a game of tug-a-war using a rolled up piece of towel. We are now also utilising dogs with a high food drive for food reward.
Ex-retrieving dogs that might be suitable include dogs which have a high drive but don't have the marking ability to take them further than novice and dogs which don't have the general aptitude for higher levels of retrieving work. All breeds are welcome - some of our most recent recruits include GSPs, golden retrievers and labradors.
The dogs must be at least 12 months old to be considered for recruitment and no older than 3 years old.
Detector dogs have an excellent life and when retired from work at the age of 8 most will go home with their handler to live.
If you have a dog which might be suitable or have any further questions feel free to email me on
kirsty.gray@aqis.gov.au
Happy trialling!
Kirsty
