Laser Directional Training for Police and Military Dogs
Enrollment Options
$20.00
Laser Directional Training for Police and Military Dogs
Skill Level: Intermediate
Length: 8 Modules
Access Period: Unlimited
Price: $20.00
About
The instructor for this course is Jens Frank. Jens is one of the owner/instructors at the Scandinavian Working Dog Institute. He is also an associate Professor at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
2 minutes and 6 seconds
Laser directionals are an easy way of sending the dog to a specific spot or object at a distance from the handler. It is far less time-consuming than training a dog to be guided with verbal directional cues over radio.
The laser directionals have several applications, especially for law enforcement and military use, and is today used in most countries. By most dog teams it is not used daily, but a very useful tool for specific situations that would be difficult or riskier without the laser. Below are some example of how it is used:
- to send a dog with a camera to do recon.
- to send an explosive detection dog to a vehicle, building, bag, or other object to do scent detection at a distance from the handler and other personnel.
- to send a patrol dog to a specific door or vehicle to check for and indicate the presence of humans.
- to send an intervention dog to search for and attack potential threats ahead of the operators.
- to send a dog to a specific location to search for and indicate or retrieve evidence where it is less preferable to have the handler walking around a crime scene.
- to send a small detection dog to the far end of cargo inside a trailer to search also where the handler cannot access.
- With a little creative thinking this training can be applied to teaching the send-away to sport dogs.
Independent of the operational use of laser directionals, the first part of the training will be to train the dog to go to the laser dot on cue, and sit in front of it. When the dog can do this, the laser directionals can be combined with detection, bite work, etc.
The course outline is:
| Module 1 | Introduction | |
| Segment 1 | Which type of laser should you use? | |
| Segment 2 | Decisions to Make | |
| Segment 3 | Setting Subgoals | |
| Module 2 | Expectation on Laser Point | |
| Segment 1 | The Laser Chase Game | |
| Segment 2 | Boxes | |
| Segment 3 | Send to Treats | |
| Module 3 | Go to Laser Dot and Sit | |
| Segment 1 | Sit in Front of a Target | |
| Segment 2 | Replace Target with Laser Dot | |
| Module 4 | Adding Contexts and Distance | |
| Segment 1 | Send to 10m | |
| Segment 2 | Send to 15m | |
| Segment 3 | Send to 20m | |
| Segment 4 | Send to 30m | |
| Segment 5 | Send to 50m | |
| Module 5 | Sending From an Angle | |
| Segment 1 | Send to Three Doors From the Same Spot | |
| Segment 2 | Send to Three Doors From 45 Degree Angle | |
| Module 6 | Obstacles | |
| Segment 1 | Stairs | |
| Segment 2 | Go Around, Over, & Under | |
| Module 7 | Competing Motivators | |
| Segment 1 | Pass Over one High-Value Reward to Sit by the Laser Dot | |
| Segment 2 | Go to Spot Between Rewards From 10m Distance | |
| Module 8 | Additional Videos | |
| Segment 1 | ||
| Segment 2 | ||
| Segment 3 | ||
| Segment 4 | ||
| Segment 5 |
TARGET AUDIENCE
Primarily dog handlers working in law enforcement and armed forces
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Must have a laser. We recommend the Firefield Laser Designator available at Leerburg.com. The dog needs to know to "sit" on cue. The dog also needs to have at least one reward signal trained. Up to a distance of 50m a clicker or verbal cue works fine, but at longer distances a "pipe whistle" is the most convenient alternative.
Course Outline
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MODULE 1: Introduction
The objective of this module is to prepare yourself so that you have a clear picture of how you will use the laser directionals and what you want the dog to learn.
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SEGMENT 1: Which type of laser should you use?
There are many different types of lasers. Some will hurt the eyes of humans and dogs and some are more safe. It makes sense to use a laser with less effect and a larger dot in training and a more powerful laser for operational work as it can also be used in broad daylight.
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SEGMENT 2: Decisions to Make
You need to decide what you want the dog to do when it reaches the laser dot and what cues you will use. If you dont have a specific reason to do it different our suggestion is that you train the dog to go to the laser dot and sit, waiting for the next cue.
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SEGMENT 3: Subgoals
No summary available
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MODULE 2: Expectation on Laser Point
The objective of the module is to increase the dogs expectation on the laser dot. Especially older dogs who have seen thousands of reflexes and lights and it has habituated them to their presence rather than making them interesting.
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SEGMENT 1: The Laser Chase game
One way of getting the dog to understand that it has a value to go to the laser dot is the chase game.
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SEGMENT 2: Boxes
From the chase game we move on by placing treats in boxes and using the laser to send the dog to one of the boxes.
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SEGMENT 3: Send to Treats
In this exercise we want the dog to associate the laser dot with finding something it likes. Even if the dog has a high motivation to play with toys, food or treats are more suitable rewards due to the relatively low arousal they create.
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MODULE 3: Go to Laser Dot and Sit
In this module we first train the dog to sit in front of a larger target and then replace that target with the laser dot.
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SEGMENT 1: Sit in Front of a Target
No summary available
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SEGMENT 2: Replace Target with Laser Dot
The objective of these exercises is to replace the larger target with the laser dot.
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MODULE 4: Adding Contexts and Distance
In this module we start generalizing the behaviour by increasing distance and working in new places and environments.
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SEGMENT 1: Send to 10m
No summary available
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SEGMENT 2: Send to 15m
No summary available
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SEGMENT 3: Send to 20m
No summary available
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SEGMENT 4: Send to 30m
No summary available
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SEGMENT 5: Send to 50m
No summary available
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MODULE 5: Sending From An Angle
In this module we give the dog experience of being sent to the laser dot from angle.
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SEGMENT 1: Send to Three Doors From the Same Spot
No summary available
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SEGMENT 2: Send to Three Doors From 45 Degree Angle
No summary available
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MODULE 6: Obstacles
The objective of the module is to train the dog to deal with obstacles to get to the laser dot.
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SEGMENT 1: Stairs
No summary available
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SEGMENT 2: Go Around, Over, and Under
No summary available
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MODULE 7: Competing Motivators
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SEGMENT 1: Pass Over One High-Value Reward to Sit By The Laser Dot
No summary available
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SEGMENT 2: Go to Spot Between Rewards From 10m Distance
No summary available
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SEGMENT 3: Using a Decoy as a Competing Motivator
No summary available
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MODULE 8: Continued training
When your dog can de directed with the laser it is time to combine that with detection, bite work or other.
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SEGMENT 1: Laser directed detection
No summary available
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SEGMENT 2: Laser directed bite work - Now Available!
No summary available
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Testimonials
"Throughout my time in the laser directional training course for police and military dogs at Leerburg University, I’ve learned a lot about how specialized training can significantly improve the performance of working dogs. The course focused on how laser directional systems can help guide dogs during tasks like tracking, searching, and apprehending suspects, all while enhancing their efficiency in law enforcement and military operations.
One of the most interesting things I learned was how dogs naturally respond to visual stimuli like moving lights, making lasers a great tool for directing them. Dogs are highly attuned to movement, and using a laser pointer to guide them can be incredibly effective in situations where precision and stealth are key. This method allows handlers to direct dogs without the need for physical intervention, which is crucial in high-pressure scenarios. The course also highlighted how important consistency and timing are when training dogs with lasers. It’s not enough just to shine a laser and hope the dog follows—it requires repetitive practice so that the dog understands the connection between the light and their behavior. Trainers have to be careful to avoid using the laser in a way that could distract or confuse the dog, which could hinder their ability to perform their tasks effectively.
A big takeaway for me was how laser directional training is applied in real-world situations. For police and military teams, dogs trained with lasers can locate suspects or objects quickly and efficiently. The laser gives handlers a way to communicate with their dogs from a distance, reducing risk and ensuring safety for both the dog and the team.
In the end, this course has given me a much deeper appreciation for the unique ways we can train working dogs. Using lasers to guide them opens up new possibilities for law enforcement and military operations, allowing dogs to perform tasks with greater precision. I feel confident that the knowledge I’ve gained will be valuable in helping improve training techniques and ensuring that working dogs continue to be a vital asset in these fields. I wouldn't change or add anything to this course as I feel it was informative and very well presented."
- Kera M on 02/06/2025
FAQ
This course goes into a great deal of detail on how to train a scent detection dog to go to a laser dot and sit, waiting for an additional command to search (either for explosives, a human or contraband).
The course does not teach the dog to indicate on explosives, or how to apprehend a suspect, or how to indicate on narcotics etc. Teaching a scent detection dog to search and indicate on odor is not covered in this course. That training will be covered in other courses.