Discovering K9 Search And Rescue Training For Pets

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.

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.

For those looking to get a pet involved in actual search and rescue, it should be noted that the dog will be involved in rescuing people during natural disasters, man-made attacks, and are often used in missing person cases. In many cases, the animal can provide irreplaceable, life saving service of all kinds whether working with law enforcement or other first responders.

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.

Whether a pet, or trained professional, these dogs often use scents to locate as instructed. In some cases, this could be bombs, drugs, individuals or areas impacted by a natural disaster. While pets can take SAR classes as young as 12 weeks old, dogs must have reached adulthood before any certification or license can be granted.




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