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Techniques Used In 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.

When working with a family pet, the animal is often taught the basics of sniffing to locate an owner, handler, trainer or family members. In some cases, pets can also be taught how to alert a family member if someone or something is in danger. For example, the television show Lassie shows a Border Collie that is trained in this manner.

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.

For those working with first responders, these life saving K9s often work in a variety of different areas. For example, there are many who work to locate individuals in trouble in fires, floods, mountainous terrain and man-made attacks. In many cases, the animal can locate anyone trapped in these circumstances which often results in many lives being saved.

In addition, in some cases pets training in SAR do not need an owner or handler to accompany them. Whereas, for those going through training to become involved in search and rescue missions and work with first responders, the owner or handler is also required to go through such training. For, there are often times when a handler, owner or trainer might need to follow the dog into a waterway, climb a mountain or search through areas of a natural disaster.

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.

Most SAR dogs are trained in all types of scent work. As a result, these dogs can work everything from a missing person case to accidents and natural disasters. In some cases, these dogs are used to find survivors of airline, bus and train crashes. Whatever the case, it is important the dog and handler, owner or trainer and first responders work together in as calm a manner as possible.




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