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You are here: Home > What are SAR dogs SAR DOG TRAINING OVERVIEW Most dogs that will be used for search and rescue (SAR) work begin their training as puppies. This is because, it usually takes one and a half to two years of intensive training to get the dog certified as mission ready. Depending on breed, health and other considerations, most dogs are retired from search work when they are 8 – 10 years old. So, starting with a puppy maximizes the work life of the dog. This is not to say that an older dog cannot be taught to do SAR work, however, the handler needs to be aware of the time commitment required for an older dog, especially since you may have to ‘train out’ old habits.
Good SAR dogs love their jobs. They look forward to the next ‘game’ of search and they enjoy the close relationship that develops with their handlers. Positive reinforcement is critical in helping the dog to be happy in their work. With that in mind, the dog is always rewarded during or after a training session or mission. Rewards might be anything from a tasty tidbit of food to a game of tug or fetch with the dog’s favorite toy. Verbal praise is also very important. Whether it be a treat, a game or verbal/physical praise, rewards are intended to teach the dog what the correct/desired behavior is. Another essential part of the training process is consistency. Dogs do not speak English. The handler must use the same command word to elicit the desired behavior every time or else the dog will become confused. For example, if the handler wants the dog to lie down, the he/she must pick one command word. If the handler says ‘down’ one time, ‘lie down’ the next time and ‘lay’ the time after that, the dog will not know what to do. MinnSARDA dogs are trained in a variety of ways. The main things we focus on are socialization, obedience and scent work. Socialization can begin when the puppy is very young. This involves getting the pup used to a variety of different situations. The handler will want to expose the young dog to children, older individuals (including those who use walkers, canes, etc.), men and women and crying babies. The dog must not be deterred by loud sounds such as gunfire, heavy machinery or yelling people so he must be introduced to situations where those noises are found. During a search, the team may need to be transported, so early exposure to a variety of vehicles such as cars, trains, buses, snowmobiles and boats is a good idea. Any new situation/environment can be a potential learning experience for the young SAR dog.
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