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"The search dog trainer has a deep and profound moral obligation to select the best possible candidate for training, and to pursue the training program with the highest standards of excellence. He is betting other people’s lives on his dog’s performance." -Robert Milner Sr.
The first step in Deployment of a Search Dog is to determine which type of dog is needed. While some SAR dogs are trained in more than one discipline, it is necessary to determine what type of dog is best suited for a particular search. This is where the majority of mistakes are made in the deployment of search dogs. All search dogs are not the same.
Types of Search Dogs:
Tracking and trailing dogs are scent discriminating dogs.
Tracking dogs-These dogs basically follow footsteps, they are orientated to a mixture of human scent and ground disturbance. They work on a long line and do not work from a scent article. They follow the freshest track. Many tracking dogs are also trained to trail.
Trailing dogs- These dogs are very similar to tracking dogs, but usually work from a scent article. They can work on or near the track to a good distance from the track depending on wind and environmental conditions, but they follow only the specified scent. They work on a long line and can work in wilderness, urban areas, buildings, in vegetation or on hard surfaces, (pavement). Many trailing dogs are also trained to track. Tracking/trailing dogs are often lumped together as one type of SAR dog.
Tracking/Trailing Dogs
Advantages:
* Very effective in initial deployment, if deployed correctly.
* If trained to cadaver, can follow a trail to a deceased body.
* If trained to do so, can perform a no scent indication or end of scent indication. This eliminates areas in the search. This is crucial in determining whether the subject was ever at that location or whether the subject got into a vehicle and left.
Limitations:
* Must have a subject/victim Last Known Place (LKP) or a suspected LKP.
* Less effective after people,(including other searchers), weather, or time, have contaminated or destroyed the trail.
Things to remember when deploying tracking/trailing dogs:
Call ASAP. K9 teams should be one of the first resources deployed on a search. Every lost/missing person's Last Known Place (LKP) should be treated like a crime scene. This includes: Secure the scene. Protect any areas that may contain scent from unnecessary contamination. Keep people out. Avoid driving or parking vehicles near the search area. This includes squad cars, ATVs and rescue vehicles. Exhaust fumes kills scent, (as does cigarette smoke). Have as much information as possible ready for the dog handler. This includes the missing person's name, age, description, clothing, footwear, medical information, and the circumstance of their disappearance.
Scent Article Collection: Unless there is a reason why the dog handler cannot get their own scent article, leave this job to the dog handler. If a scent article must be obtained prior to the dog's arrival, DO NOT TOUCH with bare hands, use an inverted zip lock bag, then seal it. (Never use a plastic garbage bag for scent articles as many are treated with odor deterrents.) If the scent article has been touched by someone other than the victim- tell the dog handler so those people can be cleared by the dog. If the inside of a vehicle is the only source of scent, try to avoid getting into the vehicle before the dog and handler arrive. If access must be made, use the passenger side and touch as little as possible, leaving the driver's area uncontaminated. The reliability of a scent specific dog rests on this one critical aspect of deployment.
Air Scent dogs (Area Search)- These dogs are scent detecting dogs. They are oriented to any airborne human scent and work into the wind. Area Search dogs perform a trained indication telling the handler the victim is located. These are "Lassie" type dogs. Some perform a recall/refind, returning to the handler then returning to the find, or some dogs bark an alert and wait for the handler to arrive at the find. Air Scent dogs must have a trained indication as they work off line, independent of the handler.
Air Scent Area Search Dogs- Live find
Advantages:
* Can search large areas efficiently.
* Can be used when there is no Last Known Place (LKP).
* Not limited by lack of trail or by trail contamination.
Limitations:
* Not as efficient in extreme heat or extreme cold.
* Must be only resource in the area or may indicate on other searchers/people upwind of them.
Avalanche, Disaster, Human Remains Detection (HRD) / Cadaver dogs- These are scent detecting dogs trained to find live victims buried in snow or rubble, or find deceased subjects, including buried, hung, burned, submerged, and/or scattered remains. These dogs work in a localized area and have trained indications informing their handler of a find.
This site, all photos and text, are the property of Kim Armstrong. No unauthorized reproduction or distribution. Copyright © 2010-2019
Types of Search Dogs:
Tracking and trailing dogs are scent discriminating dogs.
Tracking dogs-These dogs basically follow footsteps, they are orientated to a mixture of human scent and ground disturbance. They work on a long line and do not work from a scent article. They follow the freshest track. Many tracking dogs are also trained to trail.
Trailing dogs- These dogs are very similar to tracking dogs, but usually work from a scent article. They can work on or near the track to a good distance from the track depending on wind and environmental conditions, but they follow only the specified scent. They work on a long line and can work in wilderness, urban areas, buildings, in vegetation or on hard surfaces, (pavement). Many trailing dogs are also trained to track. Tracking/trailing dogs are often lumped together as one type of SAR dog.
Tracking/Trailing Dogs
Advantages:
* Very effective in initial deployment, if deployed correctly.
* If trained to cadaver, can follow a trail to a deceased body.
* If trained to do so, can perform a no scent indication or end of scent indication. This eliminates areas in the search. This is crucial in determining whether the subject was ever at that location or whether the subject got into a vehicle and left.
Limitations:
* Must have a subject/victim Last Known Place (LKP) or a suspected LKP.
* Less effective after people,(including other searchers), weather, or time, have contaminated or destroyed the trail.
Things to remember when deploying tracking/trailing dogs:
Call ASAP. K9 teams should be one of the first resources deployed on a search. Every lost/missing person's Last Known Place (LKP) should be treated like a crime scene. This includes: Secure the scene. Protect any areas that may contain scent from unnecessary contamination. Keep people out. Avoid driving or parking vehicles near the search area. This includes squad cars, ATVs and rescue vehicles. Exhaust fumes kills scent, (as does cigarette smoke). Have as much information as possible ready for the dog handler. This includes the missing person's name, age, description, clothing, footwear, medical information, and the circumstance of their disappearance.
Scent Article Collection: Unless there is a reason why the dog handler cannot get their own scent article, leave this job to the dog handler. If a scent article must be obtained prior to the dog's arrival, DO NOT TOUCH with bare hands, use an inverted zip lock bag, then seal it. (Never use a plastic garbage bag for scent articles as many are treated with odor deterrents.) If the scent article has been touched by someone other than the victim- tell the dog handler so those people can be cleared by the dog. If the inside of a vehicle is the only source of scent, try to avoid getting into the vehicle before the dog and handler arrive. If access must be made, use the passenger side and touch as little as possible, leaving the driver's area uncontaminated. The reliability of a scent specific dog rests on this one critical aspect of deployment.
Air Scent dogs (Area Search)- These dogs are scent detecting dogs. They are oriented to any airborne human scent and work into the wind. Area Search dogs perform a trained indication telling the handler the victim is located. These are "Lassie" type dogs. Some perform a recall/refind, returning to the handler then returning to the find, or some dogs bark an alert and wait for the handler to arrive at the find. Air Scent dogs must have a trained indication as they work off line, independent of the handler.
Air Scent Area Search Dogs- Live find
Advantages:
* Can search large areas efficiently.
* Can be used when there is no Last Known Place (LKP).
* Not limited by lack of trail or by trail contamination.
Limitations:
* Not as efficient in extreme heat or extreme cold.
* Must be only resource in the area or may indicate on other searchers/people upwind of them.
Avalanche, Disaster, Human Remains Detection (HRD) / Cadaver dogs- These are scent detecting dogs trained to find live victims buried in snow or rubble, or find deceased subjects, including buried, hung, burned, submerged, and/or scattered remains. These dogs work in a localized area and have trained indications informing their handler of a find.
This site, all photos and text, are the property of Kim Armstrong. No unauthorized reproduction or distribution. Copyright © 2010-2019
