| So you have a dog and are interested in getting into | | | | touching or disturbing them. A forensics team usually |
| Search and Rescue. Here's what you can expect | | | | come in after the dog makes a find and takes it from |
| when looking for a group, how to tell if you dog is even | | | | there. |
| suitable for evaluation, and how to tell if you (the | | | | AKC and Schutzhund tracking are done a little |
| human) is right for Search and Rescue. Getting | | | | differently in that the dog follows the track on the |
| involved with Search and Rescue is not like joining an | | | | footfall, rather than the strongest scent source. Most |
| obedience club. It is not for everyone, and does require | | | | of the time in Search and Rescue, the search needs |
| a lot of time, money and resources. There are two | | | | to be quick if there is a missing person. The sooner |
| types of Search and Rescue groups. The first one is | | | | you find the person the better, especially if they may |
| attached to your local sheriff and the second is a third | | | | be injured. This calls for a faster track, and sometimes |
| party, most often a non-profit group. Usually people | | | | AKC style tracking can take too long. |
| choose by the group that is closest to their area. Since | | | | If you have a great dog with great drives, the next |
| it is not uncommon to be training 2-3 times a week, | | | | thing to think about is yourself. Are you in shape? Can |
| you will want to find a group close by. But first, let's talk | | | | you jog at least a mile? In Search and Rescue, there is |
| about your dog. | | | | a lot of jogging, going up hill, hiking and going long |
| If you don't yet have a dog, that is a good thing! I would | | | | distances. You need to have some physical ability to |
| encourage you to join a group as a volunteer first, hide | | | | endure. Before you think about joining a group, take |
| for the other member's dogs, and learn all you can | | | | some time to get yourself in shape! |
| about Search and Rescue (SAR). A good SAR dog | | | | To find a group to join up with, there are a few things |
| needs to have high drives, (goes crazy over food or | | | | you need to know. Most SAR groups have a pecking |
| toys) and somewhat obedient! But the most important | | | | order. You as the newbie, are on the bottom of the |
| thing are the dog's drives. If you throw a tennis ball, and | | | | totem pole and need to prove yourself worthy to the |
| your dog just watches it or totally ignores it, SAR will | | | | other members before they will start to help you train |
| not be his thing. It is usually a good idea to start SAR | | | | you and your dog. That may sound pretty brutal, but |
| training as soon as you get your puppy, in most cases | | | | it's not as bad as it seems. The more you show |
| at 8 weeks old. It takes about a year to certify your | | | | willingness to help, the more you get accepted into the |
| dog, so there needs to be some level of commitment. | | | | group. Some groups are not as political, but good luck |
| If you have an older (like 4 or older) dog, it's not | | | | finding one of those! A lot of groups evaluate you and |
| impossible to train for SAR, but you probably don't | | | | your dog first, and have a "probationary" period where |
| have too many more good working years left. Most | | | | you may have to be a helper with so many trainings |
| commonly used dogs in SAR are German Shepherds, | | | | (like hiding in the bushes for others to find you), and |
| Labradors, some types of Spaniels, and even mixed | | | | perform other tasks to show that you are really |
| breeds. It really doesn't matter the breed, as long as | | | | serious about joining. If you are lucky enough to have |
| they are able to handle the work load and have the | | | | more than one group in your area, you have the option |
| drive to do it. There are different areas in SAR that | | | | to check each one out to see which one you fit into |
| your dog can be involved with. Many people have a | | | | better. |
| dog that is a "specialist" in one area or another. There | | | | Once you have done your "time" and you are in a |
| are Airscent, which is finding any human scent and | | | | group, the fun begins! Be prepared for learning how to |
| following it to the strongest source. This is usually done | | | | be prepared! Usually the group requires you to take a |
| off leash. Trailing is on leash, usually a 30 ft trailing lead | | | | SAR 101 class given by your local community college |
| and requires the handler to follow behind. The trailing | | | | or some kind of intro seminar. You will learn all kinds of |
| dog follows a trail left by the victim, but can cut | | | | things not even related to dog training, like reading a |
| corners if there is a stronger scent coming from a | | | | map, learning to use a compass and GPS unit, lost |
| certain direction. Water Searches are done with a | | | | person behavior and scent theory. You will also learn |
| boat on the water. the dog leads the boat party to the | | | | how to "read" your dog, what is trailing behavior and |
| strongest scent in the water, then usually a dive team | | | | what "throwing a negative" is. There is a lot to learn, |
| takes over. Cadaver or HRD is having the dog look for | | | | but it is very rewarding to be able to offer your |
| human remains. This is usually a less pressing search | | | | services to the community and help find missing |
| and involves the dog finding the remains, but not | | | | people. |