Looking for a Scent Tracking Dog Trainer?
There are many things dogs can be trained to do but, of all the tasks a working dog can perform, search and rescue ranks the highest for needing qualified, professional trainers. A Search and Rescue (SAR) dog's performance, quite literally, can determine life or death to a human in need.
As shocking as it may sound, there is no set of standards for rescue dog and scent tracking dog training. Subsequently; rescue clubs, teams, and individuals emerge as trainers when in fact they may know little or nothing at all about training a scent tracking dog. Attending seminars and reading books on the subject are worthwhile endeavors, but they do not constitute being a search and rescue dog trainer. Sadly, in a large percentage of cases this is an assumption not only made but followed and replicated. In some cases, those touting themselves as search and rescue and scent tracking dog trainers scarcely have enough knowledge to teach a dog simple parlor tricks, let alone promptly and accurately scenting or tracking skills, where a human life hangs in the balance.
Even when the topical qualifications are in place, this is no substitute for failing to research the validity of those qualifications. You will hear the term qualified instructor often from those with police/military backgrounds. While this sounds impressive, keep in mind that there is no qualification standard to begin with, so the very title is misleading. Further, there may be a very good reason that the individual is no longer training/handling outside of the police/military venues. That reason may be a desire for work in the private sector, or it could be indicative of poor performance.
Now, I'm not trying to paint a bleak picture; there are a number of incredible scent tracking and search and rescue dog trainers out there. All of these great instructors hold one thing in common: they can bear your scrutiny with flying colors. If you're making the huge step towards training your dog for SAR, then you really need to make the right choices.
Here are the top 4 STEPS YOU absolutely must consider when choosing a SAR Dog Trainer:
1. Experience: There is no substitute and there is no better gauge of a trainer's value. Look for trainers who have years of experience in a wide variety of disciplines, not just search and rescue. Demonstrated ability in more than just search and rescue or scent tracking means that the trainer will be able to administer a wide variety of training methods to accomplish the end goal. Other potential disciplines to look for include: agility, obedience, hunting, or herding. This experience is easily verified by titles such as: Companion Dog (CD, CDX) Agility Dog (AD, MACH, NATCH), Schutzhund (I, II, II) to name a few.
2. Actual rescue and scent tracking training experience is a must: SAR dogs perform a number of tasks that your instructor MUST have real-world experience with. They need to be well-versed, from first-hand experience, on how lost or fleeing people will act, how a crime scene needs to be preserved in cadaver searches resulting from criminal acts, etc.
3. The trainer should be well-versed on all breeds and capable of assessing and advising on the limitations and capacity of that breed.
4. Separate marketing from proven performance:
If your trainer is good, you can bet he or she will have references. Contact those agencies and inquire about the specific services the trainer was hired for and their thoughts regarding the trainer's services. Just because they have a polished web site, well-designed brochures, etc., does not mean they're the best pick, by default. In some cases, a smaller organization may actually yield better references.
The decision for you, and your dog, to become involved in search and rescue and scent tracking is a big one. Take the time to do your homework. Your success and enjoyment will not only be richer but it may, in fact, save a life!
Melissa Buhmeyer has been involved in dog training for two years and is the co-founder of www.dogtraining-school.com, a resource for aspiring professional dog trainers and all dog enthusiasts.
Where To Get More Information on Scent Tracking Dog and Search and Rescue Training?
Do a search on Google.com for "dog training", there's a lot available.
Or Just Train Your Dog Yourself
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