The dogs that have completed search and rescue dog training have been used all throughout history. They detect the unfortunate by their sharp sense of smell. Human beings perspire all the time, even subconsciously, and dogs trained to smell it can detect the odor and locate the missing.
Air- Scenting Training – Search and Rescue Dog Training
There are two broad types by which search and rescue dogs are trained: air- scenting and trailing.
The air- scenting dogs rely on locating and following the smell of a human being. They mostly work in areas where the person/s in need of rescuing is/ are either in a group or alone, with no signs of other humans in the area. Thus, the air-scenting search and rescue dogs are trained to recognize and separate the human smell from others and follow it.
These dogs are also trained to smell out illegal drugs and substances, detecting scents. You may have seen a couple at airports and train stations.
Trailing – Search and Rescue Dog Training
On the other hand, trailing plays a more specific role in search and rescue. Dogs trained that way are subjected to only a specific smell that they have to filter out through a horde of other smells, their snouts pointed towards the directions and as they lead the rescue, they inevitablyfind the same being or thing. These dogs play a hugely important role as they work over a variety of terrain, making turns and trailing at the same time.
The search and rescue dogs obviously work with a team of professional humans. Traditionally, these search and rescues were operated by a standard modus operandi. The dogs, obviously on foot, were accompanied by their human partners on horses and together they went hunting.
Trusted Techniques – Search and Rescue Dog Training
Another technique, far more effective has been recently adapted. The humans partner with their dogs on foot, and hence have the ability to maneuver agile turns and tracks and have a better control over these dogs.
With proper training, man has today become the master of many things, but perhaps, not the master of dogs. Maybe a partner that helps each other in times of difficulty, the search and rescue dogs have located successfully many children and lost souls, reuniting them with their loved ones.
Whatever the techniques, the search and rescue dogs are a lifeline in times of stress and disasters. They are not only a man’s best friend in happy times and times of love; they have also proven their mettle to us in ten different ways and continue to do so.
Search and rescue dog training has helped to save numerous lives with the help of our canine friends.