While dogs are typically known as playful companions and man's best friends, dogs also have a number of roles that are not as widely acknowledged. When law enforcement is called in to find a missing person, or a natural disaster strikes, dogs are often part of the first line of defense when the time comes to respond.
When classifying rescue dogs, there are typically three different classifications including trailing, tracking, and air scenting. Tracking and trailing dogs are trained to follow a human scent that has been deposited on the ground. The success of the search often depends upon the handler's competence, the terrain and the age of the trail. Air scenting dogs are similarly challenged by their conditions, as changes in wind patterns may make things difficult.
Law enforcement and disaster response are the two most common applications for Labrador rescue dogs, and may include the following: wilderness rescue, avalanche and drowning searches, corpse retrieval, and natural disasters.
Because every dog is different, the training is as important to the handler as it is for the dog. The handler needs to become familiar with the dog's body language, so as to be certain that he has indeed made a find. When the rescue dog follows a scent or trail to its end, for example, the dog may return to the handler and give him a certain look.
It is critical that a rescue dog begins training early in life. Typical search-and-rescue dogs should begin training when they are between eight and ten weeks old, and may be deployed as early as six to eighteen months after the training was begun.
When the dog makes a find in the field, they often have a stance that lets the handler know that they have found the target or another object of interest. This is just one example of why it is important for the handler to become familiar with their dog's personality. A successful search-and-rescue is very dependent upon the trust between a dog and its handler.
Generally, a rescue dog's skills will improve rapidly, if not daily. It is important to maintain skill training in obedience as well as agility and socialization. Scent training can be taught less often as the dog progresses, eventually decreasing to three to five times per week.
As the dog's skills progress, obedience, agility and socialization training should continue with the same frequency. Scent training, however, can become less frequent with time, and should take place three to five times per week, but should increase in duration to between twenty and sixty minutes. Focus sessions, which stress very specific skills such as scent discrimination, should be added after the dog has become reliable in the primary training area.
When classifying rescue dogs, there are typically three different classifications including trailing, tracking, and air scenting. Tracking and trailing dogs are trained to follow a human scent that has been deposited on the ground. The success of the search often depends upon the handler's competence, the terrain and the age of the trail. Air scenting dogs are similarly challenged by their conditions, as changes in wind patterns may make things difficult.
Law enforcement and disaster response are the two most common applications for Labrador rescue dogs, and may include the following: wilderness rescue, avalanche and drowning searches, corpse retrieval, and natural disasters.
Because every dog is different, the training is as important to the handler as it is for the dog. The handler needs to become familiar with the dog's body language, so as to be certain that he has indeed made a find. When the rescue dog follows a scent or trail to its end, for example, the dog may return to the handler and give him a certain look.
It is critical that a rescue dog begins training early in life. Typical search-and-rescue dogs should begin training when they are between eight and ten weeks old, and may be deployed as early as six to eighteen months after the training was begun.
When the dog makes a find in the field, they often have a stance that lets the handler know that they have found the target or another object of interest. This is just one example of why it is important for the handler to become familiar with their dog's personality. A successful search-and-rescue is very dependent upon the trust between a dog and its handler.
Generally, a rescue dog's skills will improve rapidly, if not daily. It is important to maintain skill training in obedience as well as agility and socialization. Scent training can be taught less often as the dog progresses, eventually decreasing to three to five times per week.
As the dog's skills progress, obedience, agility and socialization training should continue with the same frequency. Scent training, however, can become less frequent with time, and should take place three to five times per week, but should increase in duration to between twenty and sixty minutes. Focus sessions, which stress very specific skills such as scent discrimination, should be added after the dog has become reliable in the primary training area.
About the Author:
Brooke Sunderland is an avid lover of the Labrador and has a popular website where you'll discover how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved Labrador. Among other topics there, you will find out more about Labrador Adoption plus a whole lot more.
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