Training the Search and Rescue Dog



The purpose of this book is to provide practical information to current and prospective SAR dog handlers. Since there are many different approaches to any element of SAR dog training, this book will be most useful if different opinions and approaches are documented simultaneously rather than constantly overwriting each other. If you see an error or have something to add to existing content, do so. If you have an alternative view, add this view rather than deleting existing content.

This book is organized in two ways: by training topic and chronologically. The training topics provide instructions on the training of individual skills the SAR dog needs, including multiple approaches to each skill and step in training. The chronological organization aims to provide what essentially amounts to a blueprint for raising and training a SAR dog, beginning at birth through certification and retirement. This blueprint must obviously be adapted to each training/dog team and represents a "best case scenario".

The Search and Rescue Dog
To do: Write about what SAR dog do, where they work, etc.
 * /Candidate Selection/
 * Washing Out the Failed Candidate

Foundation Training
The following chapters cover the raising and basic training of a SAR dog. Much of what is discussed is relevant for any working dog, but there are some unique considerations for the SAR dog.


 * /Socialization-Humans/
 * /Socialization-Other Dogs/
 * /Kenneling/
 * /Barking on Command/
 * /Building Drive/
 * /Agility/
 * /Directionals/
 * /Desensitization/
 * /Crittering/

Air Scenting Training

 * /Equipment/
 * /The Runaway/
 * /The Alert/
 * /The Refind/
 * /Bark and Hold/
 * /Finding Articles/
 * /Scent Discrimination/
 * /Certification/

Human Remains Detection (HRD) Training

 * /Scent Sources/
 * /Scent Discrimination/
 * /Evidence Preservation/

Avalanche SAR Training

 * /Subject Safety/

Part X: Training Schedules

 * /Puppy Blueprint/ (Step-by-step ideal case for year 1)

Training organizations

 * (CWC)
 * Minnesota Search and Rescue Dog Association (MinnSARDA)
 * The American Rescue Dog Association (ARDA)
 * National Association of Volunteer Search and Rescue Teams
 * Search Dog Association
 * German Shepherd Search and Rescue Dog Association
 * (USA) National Association of Search & Rescue
 * US SAR Dogs, Inc.
 * North American Search Dog Network
 * Paws of Life Foundation
 * Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States (SARDUS)
 * K9 Search and Rescue Certified Emergency Response Training
 * International Rescue Dog Organization
 * Working K9 Handler Academy

SAR dog teams

 * United Kingdom
 * Search and Rescue Dog Association SARDA (Wales)
 * Search and Rescue Dog Association SARDA (England)
 * Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA) Southern Scotland
 * Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs (UK)
 * Dorset Search Dogs (UK)
 * UK Fire & Rescue Service(UK)
 * North America
 * Ramapo Rescue Dog Association
 * K-9 Emergency Response Teams of Wisconsin (KERT
 * Monterey Bay Search Dogs, California
 * Northern States Search Dog Network serving MN, WI, ND, SD, IA and beyond
 * MN Area Search Dogs
 * North Carolina K9 Emergency Response Team
 * Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado
 * Front Range Rescue Dogs, CO
 * K-9 One Search and Rescue of Michigan
 * Canadian Search Dog Association
 * Kentucky Search and Rescue
 * Iowa Search and Rescue
 * Minnesota Search and Rescue Dog Association (MinnSARDA)
 * K9 Search Services MN
 * Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs
 * Texas Response Unit Search & Rescue
 * People and Paws Search and Rescue, Inc.
 * Argus Canine Search and Rescue, Indiana
 * Southwest Search Dogs, San Diego, California
 * Wilderness Finders Search Dog Teams, CA and NV
 * Northstar Search and Rescue Dog Association, MN
 * South Dakota Search and Rescue Dog Association
 * Central Lakes Search and Rescue, Minnesota
 * Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association (ARDA-VA), Virginia***
 * King County Search Dogs(KCSD), Washington***
 * STAR 1 Search and Rescue, Iowa***
 * South Carolina Search and Rescue Dog Association, SC***
 * Wolf River K-9 Search & Rescue, Wisconsin
 * Midwest K-9 Emergency Response Team, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin
 * South America
 * KSAR Aconcagua, Mendoza, Argentina
 * Finland
 * The Finnish Association of Search and Rescue Dogs
 * Eurasia
 * Himalaya Rescue Dog Squad Nepal

Contributors

 * Owenfw