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.

While there are many courses, some are better than others. As such, when looking for a course in the local area, it is often suggested than individuals read a variety of reviews before selecting a trainer or program. In most cases, these course are going to run over a couple weeks and cost four to five hundred dollars on average in the United States.

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.

For a dog to become a SAR dog, the animal and handler must go through a number of rigorous training exercises. These exercises work to put their determination, stamina, agility and intelligence to a test to see if the animal has the potential to work in such capacity. After which, once the dog reaches adulthood, and passes an associated test, the animal can become licensed to provide SAR services.

K9s involved in this area often work to find people and provide aid in a number of dangerous situations. While the animals are often taught to alert people to imminent danger, the notifications do not always precede an incident. In these situations, the individual and animal must be able to start working immediately to locate and provide aid to those in need.

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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