Working Dogs: Search and Rescue

In my efforts to educate the public on working animals, this article will be dedicated to search and rescue dogs. We will explore how these animals are defined, their certification requirements, training, etc. Keep reading to gain a full grasp on the lives of search and rescue dogs (SARD).

Search and Rescue Dogs

Search and rescue dogs (SARD), otherwise known as rescue and recovery dogs, use their training to find lost or missing people and guide them to safety. These dogs are incredibly important in natural disasters and other emergencies. Dogs natural sense of smell make them exceptional trackers with the correct training. Handlers are basically just enhancing their natural skills to perform tasks.

Certification

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says that search and rescue handlers and canines must complete and pass a national certification. After passing the teams must re-certify every three years in order to continue to perform. Dogs attempting the national test must be over 18 months old, most tend to test after the age of two. By that age the dogs have matured emotionally and physically as well as completed a lot of training. It is common for the test to be given on unstable ground. This ensures that the animals get to test in a scenario most likely to be seen in real life. Thus, judges can see the proficiency of an animal in their field of work. Search and rescue teams must use all of their prior knowledge and training to pass this difficult certification.

Rescue Dog

Search and Rescue Training

Tasks that search and rescue dogs learn differ depending on the type of rescue the dog is being trained for. There are about six standard searches that include human remains detection (HRD), area search, trailing, water search, avalanche search, and disaster search. Training is a long and hard process that typically begins when the animals life does. HRD dogs are taught to detect the scent of decomposing human remains, and to completely ignore the scent of living humans and animals. Area search dogs work with their nose in the air to detect the scent of a human. These dogs do not need the place a person was last seen or an item with the scent because they use air currents to seek out a scents source. This type of search is commonly used for avalanche rescue. Trailing dogs track the scent of humans with their noses to the ground. A last seen location is very helpful for dogs doing this type of search. Water rescue dogs search for people drowning by boat and helicopter. Dogs can smell a person even when they are submerged since skin particles and gas rise to the surface of the water. Water rescue dogs are taught to jump fearlessly into the water and recover the person drowning. Disaster search dogs have the most difficult type of search and rescue job. They must work on unstable terrain to recover survivors. Since their job is so complicated it is not uncommon for search and rescue dogs to be bred into the job. That way handlers can mold every behavior the dog exhibits. Like most base line training programs these dogs are first taught obedience commands. Then these dogs under go socialization training, bonding with their handler, agility training, and scent training. Desired tasks for specific types of rescue are then taught and practiced over and over. Animals that are performance ready need training at least once a week for around four to eight hours. During this training handlers solidify most of the vital tasks the dog should be able to execute. They also go over some scenarios specific to the type of rescue that animal is trained for.

Search and Rescue Breeds

Different breeds display their own individual desired qualities. Most trainers care about the willingness a dog has to work over their breed. However, breed can play a role in  a dogs temperament. The breed commonly used for HRD are Labrador Retrievers because of their eagerness and initiative. Area search, trailing, and avalanche rescue tend to use breeds known for their good sense of smell. The common breeds are Hounds, Beagles, German Shepherds, and Belgian Malinois. Newfoundlands are commonly used for water rescues because they have webbed toes and are natural born swimmers. 

A Day at Work

Every hour of every day search and rescue teams are on call. Once a SAR team is notified of a case (generally by law enforcement) they gear up and travel to wherever help is needed. When they arrive on scene the group reports to the head-law enforcement officer. If it is a large search the SAR team will likely set up a base with radios and a rest area. The dogs then perform their tasks and when they complete a mission SAR dogs are rewarded for their job. Rewards differ between toys, treats, games, etc. Each handler and their dog have varying rewards depending on what most satisfies the dog.