Good Search and Rescue Dogs: How They Work and Save Lives

Good search and rescue dogs are incredibly skilled and dedicated animals that play a vital role in saving lives. They can detect human scents in various environments, including dense forests and rugged terrain.

These dogs are trained to follow specific scents, such as human odor, and can locate missing people even in areas with heavy vegetation or debris. Their keen sense of smell is their most valuable asset.

Search and rescue dogs are typically trained for 12-18 months, during which time they learn to respond to commands and follow specific scents. This extensive training allows them to work effectively in challenging conditions.

With their powerful noses and strong instincts, search and rescue dogs are able to locate missing people in a fraction of the time it would take a human search party.

The history of search and rescue dogs is a remarkable one. As early as the 17th century, St. Bernard dogs were used by monks in the Swiss Alps to search for and rescue injured or lost travelers.

St. Bernard dogs have a long history of being used for search and rescue missions, dating back to the 17th century. Official search and rescue dogs were first documented for use in WW1, when military-trained dogs were used to locate injured soldiers.

These dogs were later used by the British armed forces during WW2 to locate people buried under rubble. The first use of a dog trained exclusively for cadaver searches in forensic casework was in 1974 by the New York State Police.

Take a look at this: What Service Dogs Are Used for

St. Bernard dogs were used by monks in the Swiss Alps as early as the 17th century to search for and rescue injured or lost travelers.

In the 17th century, monks at the St. Bernard Hospice in the Swiss Alps were already using St. Bernard dogs for search and rescue missions.

Official search and rescue dogs were first documented for use in WW1, when military-trained dogs were used to locate injured soldiers.

Military-trained dogs played a crucial role in WW1, but it wasn't until WW2 that they were used by the British armed forces to locate people buried under rubble.

In 1808, an untrained dog alerted to the shed of a murder suspect, leading to the discovery of the remains of 2 missing women.

This untrained dog's alert in 1808 marked an early milestone in the use of dogs in forensic searches, but it wouldn't be until much later that dogs would be trained specifically for cadaver searches.

In recent years, search and rescue dogs have become increasingly sophisticated, with advancements in training and technology.

The use of drones has become more prevalent in search and rescue operations, allowing dogs to focus on detecting scents rather than navigating terrain.

In 2019, a team of search and rescue dogs in the United States was deployed to locate a missing hiker, and with the help of a drone, they were able to locate the hiker within hours.

Today, many search and rescue teams use specialized equipment, such as GPS collars and satellite imaging, to aid in their searches.

These tools have greatly increased the efficiency and effectiveness of search and rescue operations, allowing dogs to focus on what they do best: finding people in need.

Related reading: How Do You Become a Dog Trainer for Service Dogs

Search and rescue (SAR) operations require a coordinated effort between multiple teams and individuals. This includes the SAR dogs themselves, their handlers, and support staff.

SAR dogs are trained to locate missing people in a variety of environments. In wilderness areas, they can navigate dense forests, steep terrain, and rugged landscapes with ease.

Their keen sense of smell allows them to detect human scents that are days old, even in areas with heavy vegetation. This is crucial in locating missing people who may be hiding or in remote areas.

SAR handlers work closely with their dogs to ensure they stay on track and follow the scent correctly. They also provide emotional support to the dogs during long and challenging searches.

The SAR process involves a thorough search of the area, using a grid pattern to ensure every inch is covered. This helps to prevent missing people from being overlooked.

SAR teams often work in conjunction with law enforcement and other emergency services to locate missing people. This collaboration is essential in ensuring a successful outcome.

SAR dogs are trained to respond to a variety of situations, including natural disasters and human-made emergencies. They can locate people trapped in rubble, underwater, or in other hard-to-reach areas.

Their ability to detect human scents in these environments makes them invaluable assets in search and rescue operations.

A fresh viewpoint: Dog Work

A good search and rescue dog is not just any dog, but one that's specifically chosen for its unique characteristics and traits.

Purebred dogs are often chosen for search and rescue work because they allow for a clearer understanding of the dog's potential working abilities and possible genetic problems.

Individual dogs are selected for behaviors related to successful field work, such as good sociability and temperament, a strong prey drive, intelligence, endurance, agility, adaptability to new environments, courage, and curiosity.

Physical characteristics are also taken into consideration when selecting the right dog, such as coat type. A heavy-coated dog would not be suitable for a hot climate, while a short-coated dog would not be ideal for a colder climate.

Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a search and rescue dog:

Training a search and rescue dog is a thorough and substantial process that begins when the dog is still a puppy. Training usually begins at 10–12 weeks old with "scent games" and "hide and seek" activities to simulate people lost in disasters.

Socialization is a crucial component of training, where dogs are taken into public settings and exposed to various experiences and people. Obedience training is also essential, as much SAR work is conducted off-leash.

Consistent rewarding and marking of desired behavior is necessary to reinforce the desired outcome. Dogs must learn through repeated actions and rewards for said actions. Repetitions and rewards are key components of training.

Here are some basic training components:

Training aids, such as natural and artificial scent sources, are used to train SAR dogs. Dogs must demonstrate a willingness to work despite distractions and proper command control.

Training a search and rescue (SAR) dog requires a substantial amount of time and effort, typically spanning 12-18 months and 20 or more hours a week.

The training process begins when the dog is just a puppy, around 10-12 weeks old, and involves playing "scent games" to introduce the concept of following a scent trail.

Repetitions and rewards are crucial components of training, as animals learn through repeated actions and rewards for said actions.

Socialization is also an essential part of SAR dog training, involving exposure to various experiences and people in public settings.

Obedience training is vital, as much SAR work is conducted when a dog is not on a leash, and the dog must respond well to commands.

Terrain training exposes the dog to difficult and naturally avoided terrain, such as rubble, uneven or cracked ground, to prepare them for real-world scenarios.

Consistent rewarding and marking of desired behavior is necessary to reinforce the desired outcome and ensure the dog is performing well at each training level before advancing.

Some common natural scent sources used in training SAR dogs include human flesh, human blood, soil samples, and adipocere, which can be obtained from legitimate burial sites or created through decomposition.

Artificial scent sources, such as putrescine and cadaverine, can also be used to imprint cadaver dogs.

Training aids can be placed on toys, in containers, or in tubes, and are often used in conjunction with concrete blocks to simulate real-world scenarios.

To ensure the dog remains proficient, regular practice and additional training, known as "maintenance training", is required to prevent the deterioration of olfactory performance and strong alert behaviors.

The three main principles to keep in mind when training a SAR dog are patience, perseverance, and praise, which can help guide the handler in selecting the best training methods for their dog.

Play and retrieving are essential traits for search and rescue (SAR) dogs, as they make the training process a game that the dog enjoys.

SAR training is based on the methods developed to train military dogs during WW1 and WW2, and it's crucial that the dog enjoys playing with its handler to find a hidden object using its scent. This is why SAR dogs need to be friendly and enjoy being touched.

Dogs learn through repeated actions and rewards, so playing and retrieving activities are a great way to reinforce desired behavior. By playing "scent games" with their puppy, SAR dog handlers can lay the foundation for a successful search and rescue career.

Golden Retrievers, in particular, are highly energetic dogs with a strong innate drive to play and retrieve things. They love to play, have focused energy, and can direct that energy for hours on end when it aligns with their innate drive to find and retrieve objects.

SAR dogs need to be big enough to deal with varied environments, such as outdoors, around water, and in inclement weather. Typically, search and rescue dogs range in size from 50 to 70 pounds, but larger dogs with the right attributes are also acceptable choices.

By focusing on these key traits, SAR dog handlers can create a fun and engaging training process that sets their dog up for success in search and rescue missions.