Learn Me About SAR

[Izzysdad]

Not sure who would be better at it, Tobey or Izzy, but that can be sorted out. Can anyone share their experiences? It's something I've wanted to do for a long time and I'm only 29 so it's something I'll be able to do for a long long time.

 

Tim

[Maralynn]

Here is a very good book to read to learn more Search and Rescue Dogs

 

With your first dog it will probably take you 18-24 months of training to certify. You will need to have at least First Aid/CPR certification (some teams require higher certification such as first responder). You will probably also be required to take other course training dealing with search work and incident command. You need to love being outdoors - I've been to training when the temp was 15 degrees and training where it was 90 degrees. Then there are the mosquitoes and poison ivy.

 

My team has obedience and agility standards as well as search standards, but this will vary by team. Most teams have basic testing for dogs before they except them for training - mostly dealing with your dogs temperament and drive. You will probably spend at least 3-4 hours at team training each week as well as several hours on your own. You'll probably have to attend several trainings before bringing your dog along so you can start to learn the process.

 

It can be very time consuming depending on how many call outs your team gets, and it can very much become a lifestyle as opposed to an activity you do with your dog.

 

Hope that helps a bit!!

[desertranger]

I spent years in SAR. It is major financial, physical and emotional commitment from anyone involved. Twice as much with a dog. Desert SAR teams are expected to remain in the field for up to 3 nights before being relieved. Fifteen years and the loss of a partner when he fell to his death burned it out of me.

[Izzysdad]

This will be in NH and VT. I used to be a lifeguard so first aid/cpr isn't new to me. The testing I know will be strenuous and the group gets about 50-60 calls a year I believe, not that I'd respond to all of them of course. I'm going to read that book. I'm also going to talk to the group and learn more.

 

Desertranger, I'm sorry that you lost a partner. Being in the field for 3 nights at a stretch is a lot to expect. At that point I would expect to be paid.

 

Tim

[desertranger]

This will be in NH and VT. I used to be a lifeguard so first aid/cpr isn't new to me. The testing I know will be strenuous and the group gets about 50-60 calls a year I believe, not that I'd respond to all of them of course. I'm going to read that book. I'm also going to talk to the group and learn more.

 

Desertranger, I'm sorry that you lost a partner. Being in the field for 3 nights at a stretch is a lot to expect. At that point I would expect to be paid.

 

Tim

 

 

I got paid when I was a T-ranger on tribal land doing SAR as part of my duties. Other than that it's strictly voluntary unless you work for the county.

 

James slipped on some ice down to a ledge, He tried to get a cell phone call out but those who answered the call heard him fall. Mar 2004. RIP James. I continued in SAR for another year when a call came in about a teen missing in Box Canyon near Mecca, Ca. He had walked away from a rave concert in the mddle of nowhere and gotten lost. When found he had vomited up everything and had died from dehydration and heat stress. He was 50ft from water. That was the last one.

 

Never hike alone. Always carry water and never leave the group.

 

Time to take the dogs out.

[Izzysdad]

DesertRanger,

 

You're obviously quite experienced in the work. What do you look for in a dog you would consider using for SAR? Before going through the entire application process, I'm trying to determine if Tobey has what it takes. I'm pretty positive Izzy doesn't have it, she's on the smaller side physically being a mix and her focus isn't the same. Thanks!

 

Tim

[desertranger]

Very tired tonight and in a lot of pain. Will do my best to give you an idea. I've had 2 BC SAR dogs. Size notwithstanding physically I look for stamina and a medium amount of drive. Surra had too much drive and would wear himself out so we would have to break often. Bas was more laid back less driven but had sticktoitviness (that's a word?) and could trot most of the day. Dog's with larger feet seem to do better as will. Glynnis another BC had small delicate feet and I used to notice she had problems moving over the rocks. My guess was due to the smaller foot print than Surra. Jin would not make a good SAR dog because he's too driven and would lose control. After watching him this summer he may also be susceptible to heat stress a disaster in SAR dogs. Emotional stability is also important. I had two BCs washout as SAR dogs because they were too attached to me emo wise. If I walked in danger they would either try to follow despite a long down stay or go crazy watching me. Too un-nerving when doing rock. fuzzer had his own custom climbing harness as he would follow me everywhere and more than once we ahd to lower him down.

 

Good shoulders and frnt leg stance. SAR dogs carry packs as much as 20% of their body wirgh although I've been told they can carry 30%. SAR dogs also need to be fit before you start pack training them. Start with a couple of liters of water or a Kg of sand in each side buildnig up slowly. You can't just drop a pack on a dog. BTW a dogs pack should carry a miniture verson of the hikers Ten Basic Essentials in addition to his own supplies.

 

Have a look at my website and blog. Links in my sig.

[Chesney's Girl]

Surra had too much drive and would wear himself out so we would have to break often.

 

This is kind of what I am starting to wonder about with Chesney. He's super fast with his finds (and accurate) but if the search is a longer one, which I've been trying to do longer ones, he wears himself out quickly, especially if its warm. I'm hoping that the longer we go and more long problems we do, he will eventually learn to pace himself. He also has soft feet, but won't show it until he's done working.

 

You should try them both out with the team first. The evaluation should give you a pretty good idea of which one will be good to use.

 

Chesney and I have been training since February and it is a long process just to be certified and mission ready. There is so much that comes up in training that might not of come up the last time, hiccups, and improvements that only show themselves after time and effort. I'm lucky my team gets to a new training area once a month so it keeps the dogs fresh. Some training searches are long others are not. A lot of the training is for the handler rather than the dog (in my case at least) as far as sign offs go.

 

I think the best way to find out if you will like SAR or even the team you would be a part of is to go to trainings with them. They can explain how they operate, they types of searches they most likely go on. Since you are going into SAR with a Border Collie you will become an area searching team rather than trailing most likely.

[Izzysdad]

Thanks all! I thought Tobey was on a fast track to being stable, but we went to the local pond today and he came across two horses and that set him off big time. Not that he wanted to fight/bite the horses but when he can't get close to them he yelps and cries and barks. It's frustrating to me as a handler because I know how he is at home and with people that come into the house, but I made sure he didn't know my frustration. So, the positive is Tobey is ok with seeing humans at a distance now but other animals need more work than I thought.

 

I haven't ruled out either dog of course, I was leaning toward Tobey as my best guess because he is a bit more driven than Izzy at this point probably because he is older. She's 10 months so she's a teenage girl and we know how teenage girls can be...I know first hand, I coached a girls varsity tennis team this summer . I have a couple books on K-9 SAR on the way and I will be in contact with the SAR group shortly.

 

Tim