How SAR Dogs Are Trained
For search and rescue (SAR) dogs, it’s all about the game. SAR dogs are trained their entire lives through intensive and vigorous training routines, such as playing hide and seek and fetch. Dogs already have the instinct to locate things through scent, but it’s up to their handlers to fine tune their skills, so they can find humans instead of balls.SAR Dogs
Not any dog can become a SAR dog. SAR dogs have to have a particularly good sense of smell and must be ready to travel long distances in some of the harshest climates. They start their training at around eight weeks old and retire at about age five. The ideal SAR dog can improvise in certain situations and are smart, loyal and love what they do; because to them, it’s just another game. Although training is a daily chore for the handler, for the right dog, everything from obedience and agility training, to learning how to bark on command, is all play time. Handlers
just like it takes a special type of dog to be a SAR dog, it takes a certain type of person to be a handler. Handlers have to be able to read their dog’s mannerisms and body language. They are typically trained alongside their four legged companions to gain this familiarity. The most important tool a handler has is it’s dog’s nose and bark.
Whether the dog is eventually used to find avalanche victims or lost kids, they have to be at the top of their game. While locating a victim is a game of hide and seek to a SAR dog, it’s a matter of life or death for the person on the other end.
Not any dog can become a SAR dog. SAR dogs have to have a particularly good sense of smell and must be ready to travel long distances in some of the harshest climates. They start their training at around eight weeks old and retire at about age five. The ideal SAR dog can improvise in certain situations and are smart, loyal and love what they do; because to them, it’s just another game. Although training is a daily chore for the handler, for the right dog, everything from obedience and agility training, to learning how to bark on command, is all play time. Handlers
just like it takes a special type of dog to be a SAR dog, it takes a certain type of person to be a handler. Handlers have to be able to read their dog’s mannerisms and body language. They are typically trained alongside their four legged companions to gain this familiarity. The most important tool a handler has is it’s dog’s nose and bark.
Whether the dog is eventually used to find avalanche victims or lost kids, they have to be at the top of their game. While locating a victim is a game of hide and seek to a SAR dog, it’s a matter of life or death for the person on the other end.
How It’s Done
Dogs in training have longer days than any human. They have to eat, sleep and breath training techniques as well as stick to a very strict diet. A typical day would include five sessions of 10-60 minute obedience, socialization, and agility classes. Up to seven days a week, they do scent training, for up to an hour per session.
When they are field ready, they attend scent training courses three to five times a week, as well attending focus sessions, and continuing agility and socialization classes.
They, along with their handlers have tight schedules, but with lots of hard work, a search and rescue dog has a much greater chance of recovery than if just man is searching alone.
