Figure IS. Step S — handler completes guiding dog around 

 (left hand). 



dropper will be standing in his usual position 

 until it is determined that the dog has learned 

 his reinforcement is coming from his handler. 

 The dropper then takes one step back from the 

 pan, every two or three trials until he is out of 

 the immediate training area. The handler and 

 dog should be moving back to their starting 

 point at the same time. 



Note. After the dropper has been eliminated from the 

 search chain, the handler can begin working on distance. 

 He should take about one step back from the pan every 

 three or four trials. REMEMBER: The dog is easily 



confused; handlers must not try to advance their dogs 

 to a new step until they are proficient at the previous step. 

 This step is considered complete when the handler has 

 gained a minimum distance of 15 feet from the pan and 

 his dog is proficient without the dropper. Training time: 

 four to five 15-minute sessions. 



j. Step 10 — Distance Training. Review step 9. 

 Every three to four trials the handler takes one 

 or two steps back from the pan. This procedure 

 can be continued until the handler is at any 

 desired distance from the pan; it should be car- 

 ried to a minimum of 25 meters and can be con- 



19 



