Sunday, October 29, 2017

Understanding K9 Search And Rescue Training

By Donna Schmidt


When it comes to dogs, there are a number of different breeds. Some breeds connect better to K9 search and rescue training than others. Breeds which often excel in this area include Golden Retrievers, Giant Schnauzers, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinchers, Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds. At the same time, while this training is often used by first responders, pet owners of all breeds can often benefit from this training.

In the cases of using the training with family pets, the animal is taught how to locate an owner or family members. In addition, the pet can be taught how to alert others if an emergency is in progress. As such, many pets having gone through this training have saved a number of lives over time.

In most cases, these training courses are provided by volunteers and can either be taught by an individual or through a certified course. When it comes to getting a dog involved with working with first responders, it is often advised the animal complete all courses in an official program. Whereas, when training a pet, most any type of training is adequate as long as it teaches the basic commands along with scenting techniques.

The difference between a pet having SAR skills and professional search and rescue dogs is often minimal. Although, in most cases, an actual rescue dog is going to work on many different types of terrain which can include water rescue, natural disasters, explosions, man-made attacks and mountainous areas. Whereas, a pet trained in SAR is most likely going to stay within a specified area close to home, or other locations which a family might frequent.

To become a search and rescue dog, the animal along with an owner, handler or trainer must attend the courses associated with certification. For, most often the individual is the one whom accompanies the dog on a mission. As such, the individual and animal must be able to pass a test involving intelligence, agility, stamina and determination.

Search and rescue missions work to locate and provide aid to people on an immediate basis. In addition, these animals are often taught how to alert individuals when imminent dangers are present. The missions can occur on land, in water, over rugged terrain, and in suburban and urban areas. As such, the dog and handler must be able to work in a number of different landscapes, waterways and often mountainous terrain.

In most cases, dogs are taught how to locate and alert based on specific scents. However, there are three types of these dogs. The three types of K9s used in search and rescue are air-scenting, ground disturbance and trailing as in following the scent of an individual based on articles of clothing or other items. Some dogs may work as bomb-sniffing and drug dogs as well as search and rescue. While this is the case, most first responders prefer to work with animals which are trained in a specific area when and where possible.

Using these well developed scenting styles, the dogs are taught to use their noses to locate individuals in a variety of situations ranging from crime scenes and floods to earthquakes and airline crashes. As such, dogs need to be fully grown before obtaining certification. After which, most can excel in these and other search and rescue missions.




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