Training a Mountain Rescue Search Dog

Prospective Trainee Handlers and Dogs

It is expected that all trainees are full members of a mountain rescue team recognised by the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association (LDSMRA). In exceptional circumstances probationary team members may be accepted as trainees. Membership of a LDSMRA team is required before the dog/handler team can be included on the callout list.

All prospective handlers are expected to familiarise themselves with SARDA - the best way of doing this is to come along and act as a body for other trainees. Additionally, it is better not to come along with a dog, instead try to involve SARDA in the chosing of the dog at a later date.

Once a prospective handler has applied to join, the Training Officer will then contact the applicant’s Team Leader to discuss the application. If the team leader is happy to recommend the prospective handler for training, the Training Officer will invite them to attend formal training sessions with their dog with a view to undergoing an introductory assessment, (which is a basic test of the dogs obedience and the handlers relationship with the dog).

For most people, training and grading a search dog will be the hardest thing they'll ever do in their life....

Commitment

Training a dog requires a great deal of commitment - it generally takes 2-3 years to grade a dog. This commitment comes not only from the handler, but also the bodies and assessors. Progress is monitored and reviewed. If there is insufficient commitment then dog and handler will be removed from the list of trainees. It is expected that a trainee will attend at least a minimum of half of the training available in any one year. If you want to train a dog you must involve your immediate family in the decision - it will affect them!!

Stage 1

Revolves around what is called the "find sequence". This means that the dog learns that when he or she finds a body using air-scent, they should bark at the body, then return to the handler barking to indicate they have found, then go back to the body and bark - they repeat this sequence until the handler is led to the body. When the handler arrives at the body, the dog receives a reward (generally lots of fuss and play with the body) - it is imperative at this stage that all of the rewarding comes from the body to get the dog really keen on finding people.

During Stage 1 the handler will know where the body is so that the focus is purely upon the find sequence. At the end of this stage the dog will have started working for up to 10-15 mins at a time.

Stage 2

Here the dog has to work larger and more complex areas before the find of the body occurs. The dog must then still successfully complete the find sequence. This is practiced over and over again until the dog will allways complete the sequence despite the length of time before the find and despite other distractions that may be in the area, such as other wildlife, streams, walls and so on. This stage also works on the handler's ability to cover the area and to develop strategies for the most effective use of their dog, and towards the end of stage 2 the handler will not know where the body(s) are located - this is known as a 'blind' area and may mean the dog working up to 45mins-1 hr at a time.

Stage 3 - Assessments

The training officer and assessors will make the decision as to when a dog team is ready for assessment. The process of assessment is aimed at ensuring that prior to being placed on the call-out list the dog and handler has continued to display an expertise in all the different search tasks that might be expected. The dog and handler must continue to demonstrate a consistent level of expertise. The Association will not place a dog/handler on the call-out list until they have passed a minimum of 8 formal assessment days consisting of one or more searches lasting between 1.5 and 4 hours.

It must be stressed that this 8 days of assessment is a minimum requirement and many dog/handler teams will be required to pass further assessments until the Association is confident that the dog/handler team is consistent, efficient and effective.

Graded Dog Teams

Once graded - assessments still continue! Each dog team will need to be re-assessed at least once per year to ensure that they are continuing to maintain their high standards.

STILL WANT TO TRAIN A DOG - OR BE A BODY?
For more information contact our training officer Mick Guy



TOP