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I see your point! I think what we need to do is learn to better understand exactly how these people use the various dogs. I sure don't know the details about what those dogs do!

I definitely remember (and so does everyone else here, I think) that the police said that they had concluded that Laci left her house for the last time by VEHICLE, not on foot. I believe they concluded this b/c of what one of the dogs (don't know which one) did when he got to the end of her driveway. I got the impression that the dog followed her scent to the end of the driveway, then perhaps sat down, not going any further, b/c her scent on the ground had ended. (?)

I got the impression that they then put the dog in a police car and drove him to other locations. Or they took other dogs and put them near certain locations in the neighborhood--perhaps b/c of something someone thought they saw. I'm not sure how the dog ended up "hitting" on that dumpster near the Gallo winery, but I never got the impression that he led them on foot from Laci's house to that dumpster.

Of course, it's all impressions. But one thing for sure: the cops said she left in a vehicle, and they said they concluded that b/c of something a search dog did.

That was Exactly what I was trying to relay here about Merlin, I think. I have watched the Police Dogs perform, and when they get to their hit, whatever that may be for THAT dog, they immediately SIT DOWN and will NOT move. The handler, then gives the dog a command and permission to move. Otherwise, the dog would probably sit there all week. These are "highly trained" dogs and they are trained for very "specific" jobs.

but I never got the impression that he led them on foot from Laci's house to that dumpster.

Thanks a bunch, Anse! Maybe the above phrase is where I'm going wrong! I thought Merlin did lead them on foot to the dumpster!