Classes included Air Scent K-9 Fieldwork, Trailing Dogs Fieldwork, Introduction to Scent Theory, Scent Dynamics, Forensics/Decomposition, Human Remains Detection/Fieldwork,
Pheromonal Communications, Helicopter Safety for Search and Rescue Canines, ROC and Triangulation Techniques, Field First Aid for K-9s, Human Bone Identification, and Working K-9 Health Issues.
I'm not a K9 handler, myself, but I really enjoyed helping out with this conference for a couple of days -- "getting lost" for the dogs to find -- and at times just observing. I found the advice and tips the instructors gave the handlers fascinating, including suggestions for how to correct certain behaviors (both their own and the dogs'), overcome challenges, and build on the dogs' natural instincts.
Alerts, motivation, and rewards were often the focus during field work sessions, as well as training techniques and reading the dogs' signals. I loved watching the handlers communicate with their canine partners and especially enjoyed seeing the fun the dogs had, because, to them, searching is a game with a prize at the end.
As the "subject" of dozens of searches, I saw -- and felt -- lots of pink tongues and wet noses up close and personal and handled quite a few gooey toys and hotdogs.
 |
| This excited four-legged SAR volunteer has located me, run back to get Mom and lead her to his find. |
 |
| The K9s came in all shapes and sizes. Isn't she a beauty? |
 | ||
| She may be little, but she's got a great nose and work ethic. |
 |
| Instructors, including Coco SAR's Cindy McArthur, worked one-on-one with dogs and handlers. |
1 comment:
There is an app for iPhone out there now called Adventure Plan. Please post this so your readers can see this. Everyone should use this app before they go hiking, fishing, camping, or anykind of traveling. You use it to notify your friends where you are going, when you will return, and whatever other specifics about your trip you can think of. That way, incase you get lost or your vehicle breaks down, friends or search and rescue can use that info to find you. The more info search and rescue has about your adventure, the better chance of being found alive. Please check it out. Thanks!
Post a Comment