Wyoming K9 Search & Rescue

Getting Started in Canine Search and Rescue

Although most dogs can find someone by using their sense of smell, not every dog can be trained to come back and tell you that they found someone. Therefore it is extremely important to choose the right dog to start with. Some groups will start training older dogs, but generally we recommend starting with a young puppy. We start training our dogs at 6-8 weeks of age.

It is important to trust your breeder and get a health guarantee, if you can. There is nothing more frustrating than spending months training a young dog only to find that he/she has a serious health problem that will prevent him from becoming a working dog.

Many dogs can be trained for search work, but working/sporting breeds tend to have a genetic pre-disposition for this type of training. Some examples are: Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Border Collies. It is very helpful to test all of the puppies in a prospective litter using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test. Since puppies can behave differently day to day, spending a couple of days observing them is ideal. The breeder is also an excellent source of information.

When you are a new handler, it is vital to have the support of more experienced handlers whom you trust. Books and videos are helpful, but having the advice of other handlers will keep you from developing bad habits, and ultimately add to the strength of your team. The National Association of Search and Rescue is a good starting point to find groups in your area.