mercredi 13 décembre 2017

Discovering K9 Search And Rescue Training For Pets

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.

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.

In most cases, these training courses are provided by volunteers and can either be taught by an individual or through a certified course. When it comes to getting a dog involved with working with first responders, it is often advised the animal complete all courses in an official program. Whereas, when training a pet, most any type of training is adequate as long as it teaches the basic commands along with scenting techniques.

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.

For a dog to become a SAR dog, the animal and handler must go through a number of rigorous training exercises. These exercises work to put their determination, stamina, agility and intelligence to a test to see if the animal has the potential to work in such capacity. After which, once the dog reaches adulthood, and passes an associated test, the animal can become licensed to provide SAR services.

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.

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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