Career Dog Training
The unsung hero’s of many disasters, search and
rescue dogs
and their handlers search for the victims
be they be lost, injured or deceased. We all are familiar
with the pictures of
SAR (search and rescue) dogs
working the sight of a collapsed building or heading
out into the wilderness to do the job only they can do.
We as humans find it hard to fathom the dog’s ability
to sense the tiny molecules that make up smells. It is
estimated that some dog’s sense of smell is many
thousands of times better than any human being.
What is even more amazing is that the dog can
discriminate between the molecules in the
environment to the degree they can tell the direction
to the victim or route they have traveled. Well trained
search and rescue dogs do all this and more.

SAR or Search and rescue dogs are classified in two
categories. Air scent dogs are used to cover large
areas and basically search for any person that is
located upwind of them. People shed skin cells that
both drop to the ground and are carried in the air.
These airborne cells are the ones the air scent dogs
home in on. The dogs work off leash and are allowed
to range downwind of the area that has been selected
for search.
Air scent dogs do well in areas where the
ground has been contaminated with the scent of other
people including family members. Clearing the area of
all people for a short time will clear the air and allow
the dog to work the air to locate the victim. The dog
will at first work back and forth across the scent cone
produced by the victim until it narrow to the victim’s
location.
Air scenting dogs can also be used to find
drowning victims by placing the dog in a boat again
downwind. A person that has drowned continues to
give off scent in terms of gas molecules and cells that
rises to the surface of the water and are carried by the
wind. The boat operator watches the dog carefully for
an indication of direction. Many good air scent
search
and rescue dogs
will literally point the way with their
muzzles. Once the point of origin for the scent
molecules is reached the dog will indicate by barking.
If the location is passed frequently the dog will move
to the back of the boat in an effort to stay within the
scent cone. In the same manner air scent dogs are
used to find cadavers or even bodies buried in
shallow graves. Again this work can only be done by
a SAR dog.

Trailing or Tracking dogs use the scent molecules left
on the ground. They are able to discriminate old cells
from newer ones thereby allowing them to know what
direction the victim has traveled.
Trailing dogs need a
piece of the victims clothing or some other personal
effect to imprint on. Once this is accomplished then
the dog will placed on a lead and taken to an area that
searchers are relative certain the victim was once
located. Once the tracking dog hits the scent trail they
quickly begin to follow the trail to the victim.

Search and rescue dog training requires at least a one
year commitment. It is normally begun with basic
obedience training and at the same time the dog is
tested for agility and stamina. This is followed by
socialization training to make sure the dog is
comfortable with people, strange surrounding and
other animals. This is important since during any
search and rescue mission there are numerous
distractions that can interfere with the performance of
the SAR dog. The final stage of
search and rescue
dog training
is called the search and indication stage.
It begins with the handler placing the search vest and
harness on the dog. This tells the dog it is time to go
to work. A toy is first thrown and retrieved to get the
dog interested. Every time the dog retrieves the toy it
is taken away from the dog until it barks which is
called an indication. Praise and play follows each
successful exercise. Then the toy is hidden and used
to play hide and seek with. This makes the dog use its
nose to find the hidden toy and once found the toy is
taken away until the indication bark is made. Again
this is followed by praise and play. The dog loves this
play time and does not mind the
search and rescue
dog training
work. Training is done at least twice a
day for approximately 45 minutes. When the training is
over the vest is removed to let the dog know that work
is over.


The next step in training requires the help of another
trainer or assistant. The assistant is introduced to the
dog and begins playing with it using the hide and
seek toy. After the socialization is completed the toy is
hidden by the associate and again the dog must use
its nose to find the toy. Then the toy and the assistant
begin to hide together. After that stage is completed
the dog is encouraged to find the assistant when he
does not possess the toy. When the dog finds the
assistant and a good indication is made then the
handler uses the toy to praise and play with the dog.
Eventually more people are introduced into the search
scenario until the dog readily indicates on anyone.
When this stage is reached the search and rescue
dog has completed basic
search and rescue dog
training.
Continued search and rescue dog training
will be required as long as the dog remains a qualified
search and rescue dog.

Any breed of dog that stands at least 15 inches to the
shoulder and has the proper personality can
successfully complete search and rescue dog training
and eventually be certifed as a SAR dog. If the handler
and the dog are well bonded then
search and rescue
dog training
will be a labor of love for both. Handlers
are generally expected to purchase all their gear
themselves. This is normally done during the training
phases and should not be a burden when spread over
a year long period. There are many local and national
search dog organizations that we help you in your
search and rescue dog training and certification. You
and your
SAR dog will become one of the most
important parts of the countries first responders.
Saving lives and giving comfort to families will be your
greatest reward. Completing
search and rescue dog
training
and owning a search and rescue dog will give
you a great deal of satisfaction.  

          
        Search and Rescue Dog Training
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