Techniques Used In K9 Search And Rescue Training

By Donna Schmidt


Some people are cat people, others dog people. When it comes to a dog being mans' best friend, nothing could be further form the truth. For, when it comes to K9 search and rescue training, these animals are often taught a number of life saving techniques. Whereas, while cats make great pets, most would run away when asked to dive in a pool or other waterway.

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 in this area, some are better than others. In most cases, the course leader has a great deal of experience with a number of different animals. Although, most often the individual has worked with dogs on a regular basis whether as an owner, pet-sitter or trainer.

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.

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.

Another difference is that professionally trained K9s can work to locate and provide assistance on a moment's notice. While, those trained to work with first responders are taught how to alert and lead individuals away from dangerous situations. As such, owners and handlers must also learn these techniques in order to understand when a dog alerts one that danger is present.

While most pets can be taught how to alert based on scent, there are three basic types when it comes to professional search and rescue dogs. These are, trailing, ground disturbance and air-scenting. As one might imagine, air-scenting is often related to natural disasters, ground disturbance when looking for areas where bodies or other items might be buried, and trailing when looking for missing individuals or other items.

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.




About the Author: