Search and rescue dogs, or SAR dogs, are specifically trained to locate people who are lost or missing. SAR dogs work as a team with their handler.
The Ideal Search and Rescue Dog
One of the most important requirements for a search and rescue dog is a good temperament. The ideal SAR dog:
- is even-tempered
- able to stay calm in stressful situations under rapidly changing conditions
- is not afraid of loud noises
- is adaptable
- is healthy and agile, able to climb, run and jump
- is a large breed dog
- is obedient at all times
- must get along well with people and all other animals
What Skills Does a Search and Rescue Dog Have?
Search and rescue dogs have a variety of different talents and individual dogs may have one skill or several skills. The different types of SAR dogs are:
- air scent dogs - dogs able to track a person by sniffing the air
- trailing or tracking dogs - dogs able to track a person by following a scent on the ground
- water search dogs - dogs which work off a boat or along the shore to locate a person (or body) in the water
- cadaver dogs - also called human remains detection dogs or HRD dogs, these dogs are able to find dead people
- avalanche dogs - dogs which search for people under the snow
Training a Search and Rescue Dog for Air Scenting
Search and rescue dog training is done based a positive reinforcement dog training model, where the dog is rewarded with a treat or favorite activity each time he performs the task his handler asks of him.
Air scenting is the easiest search and rescue task to teach.
SAR dog training starts with one person holding the SAR dog on a leash and a second person assisting. The assistant holds a treat or other favorite object and walks a few feet away from the dog, staying within the dog's view. When released the dog will proceed to follow the assistant with the treat and is rewarded with the treat for doing so. When the dog is released, the handler will give a command such as "go find" or "locate".
As the training is advanced for the SAR dog, the assistant walks further away from the leashed dog but still remains within the dog's view. The handler releases the SAR dog giving the same command. The dog is again rewarded with the treat when he follows the assistant.
Once the search and rescue dog is consistently following the assistant, the assistant starts making himself more difficult to find by moving out of the search and rescue dog's sight. He may do this by stepping behind a tree or hiding under low hanging vegetation. Again, the command is given when the SAR dog is released and the SAR dog is rewarded when he locates the assistant.
This training will continue for the search and rescue dog until he is able to locate the missing assistant every time his trainer gives him the command. The dog will continue to receive rewards every time he does his job correctly.
Training a search and rescue dog will also involve teaching the SAR dog to climb over obstacles, go under fences, even climb a ladder while searching for the missing person.
Training a search and rescue dog can take a long time. Often, SAR training takes as long as two years or longer. Because there are often lives at stake when these dogs work, search and rescue dogs must be completely reliable before they are allowed in the field.
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