mardi 19 décembre 2017

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.

Even when it comes to family pets, dogs can often be life savers. For, if a dog owner and dog attends a SAR training program, the dog can learn how to locate family members and to alert when imminent dangers are present. For breeds that can learn to sniff, the dog could also be useful in locating a family member should one go missing.

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 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.

To become a search and rescue dog, the animal along with an owner, handler or trainer must attend the courses associated with certification. For, most often the individual is the one whom accompanies the dog on a mission. As such, the individual and animal must be able to pass a test involving intelligence, agility, stamina and determination.

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.

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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