How to Train Dogs to Do Search and Rescue Work

There are microscopic particles that carry human scent. These are actually airborne particles and they are able to carry this scent for quite a long distance. Dogs trained to do search and rescue missions are trained to locate this scent so that they are able to help their handlers find a person who is either lost or missing.

If you are interested in helping to get dogs trained to do search and rescue missions, then you will have to be prepared to spend a lot of time doing so. These dogs, which are commonly referred to as SAR dogs, will require a great commitment on your part. This is important because you will need to attend between two to four training sessions per week for an entire year.

Once you are sure that you are able to make this type of commitment to see dogs trained to do search and rescue missions you will want to choose a dog that is in good physical commitment and has an easy temperament. If at all possible, you should start by training a puppy. However, you should know that older dogs can also be trained.

The first "real" step towards getting dogs trained to do search and rescue missions is socializing him around different people of all ages and genders. You will also want to get him socialized around a variety of different types of animals as well.

You will also want to make sure that your dog is familiarized with a lot of different environments. Dogs trained to do search and rescue missions will need to be used to traffic noises, large crowds, boats, helicopters and a variety of different terrains as well.

After you are sure that your dog will be comfortable around a lot of different people in a lot of different environments, it is time to play hide and seek with him in the house. This is the same game that you would play with a child, only now you are playing with your dog instead. Simply hide and let your dog find you. Whenever he does find you, reward him with plenty of praise and a treat. You will want to progressively make these hiding places more difficult.

Now dogs trained to do search and rescue missions will also need to be scent trained. Teaching your dog to find you, his master, by your scent, does this. Simply move your hide and seek game outside and each time you practice, you will want to move further away from your dog.

The final step to take whenever you want to have dogs trained to do search and rescue missions is to use other people to play the role of the lost victim. You can use old tracks to help him with this game of hide and seek. This will help dogs trained to do search and rescue missions be able to perfect their skills.