To anyone involved with K9 Search and Rescue, please remember, it ISN'T about YOU and YOUR DOG, it is,"so others may live."
Types of Search Dogs
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 area, it is necessary to determine what type of dog is best suited for a particular search. For example, a cadaver dog would be of little use in pursuing the trail of a missing youngster, and an air scent dog wouldn’t be expected to track. This is where the majority of mistakes are made in the deployment of search dogs. All search dogs are NOT the same. Certification(s) establish the area(s) of dog and handler proficiency.
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. 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 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 subject got into a vehicle and left.
Limitations:
* Less effective after people,(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 point last seen (PLS) 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 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. Some perform a recall/refind, some bark an alert and wait for the handler to arrive at the find. Air Scent dogs must have a trained indication if they work off leash, independent of the handler.
Air Scent Area Search Dogs
Advantages:
* Can search large areas efficiently.
* Can be used when there is no Point Last Seen (PLS).
* Can be used after person has been missing many days.
* Not limited by lack of trail or by trail contamination.
Limitations:
* Not as efficient in hot, dry, low wind conditions.
* Must be only resource in the area or will indicate on other searchers/people upwind of them.
Many trailing dogs will also air scent (on a long line), using the most efficient means to locate an individual.
Avalanche, Disaster, Human Remains Detection and/or 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.
Search Dog Deployment:
Any dog deployed on a search should be a qualified search dog, with a qualified handler. A qualified dog team (one dog and handler) is one whose abilities have been verified by an unbiased, credible, third party source. The most common method of verification is certification. There are many national organizations who have set standards by which qualified SAR dog teams
can get certified. The deployment of unqualified dogs destroys the credibility of qualified dog teams and can lead to tragic consequences on a search. In addition, certification is the dog handler's best protection if ever called to testify in civil court as to the dog's capabilities.
This page, along with this entire web site, is original and the property of Scents Ability Search Dogs. While I don't mind sharing the knowledge, if you share (copy), please give credit where credit is due. Copying pictures is prohitbited.
Thank you. Kim Armstrong
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. 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 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 subject got into a vehicle and left.
Limitations:
* Less effective after people,(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 point last seen (PLS) 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 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. Some perform a recall/refind, some bark an alert and wait for the handler to arrive at the find. Air Scent dogs must have a trained indication if they work off leash, independent of the handler.
Air Scent Area Search Dogs
Advantages:
* Can search large areas efficiently.
* Can be used when there is no Point Last Seen (PLS).
* Can be used after person has been missing many days.
* Not limited by lack of trail or by trail contamination.
Limitations:
* Not as efficient in hot, dry, low wind conditions.
* Must be only resource in the area or will indicate on other searchers/people upwind of them.
Many trailing dogs will also air scent (on a long line), using the most efficient means to locate an individual.
Avalanche, Disaster, Human Remains Detection and/or 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.
Search Dog Deployment:
Any dog deployed on a search should be a qualified search dog, with a qualified handler. A qualified dog team (one dog and handler) is one whose abilities have been verified by an unbiased, credible, third party source. The most common method of verification is certification. There are many national organizations who have set standards by which qualified SAR dog teams
can get certified. The deployment of unqualified dogs destroys the credibility of qualified dog teams and can lead to tragic consequences on a search. In addition, certification is the dog handler's best protection if ever called to testify in civil court as to the dog's capabilities.
This page, along with this entire web site, is original and the property of Scents Ability Search Dogs. While I don't mind sharing the knowledge, if you share (copy), please give credit where credit is due. Copying pictures is prohitbited.
Thank you. Kim Armstrong
