Rescue dogs are generally classified as either being tracking and trailing animals or air scenting animals. Each could have their unique advantages (and particular lookup and rescue dog instruction) based on the rescue situation at hand. For example, a tracking and trailing canine is scent discriminating, meaning they require an article with a specific human scent on it to discover a subject. An air scenting dog is non-scent discriminating and will follow any airborne scent that’s in the air.

When you choose to give a canine search and rescue canine training you very first need to identify if they’re tracking and trailing (scent discriminating) or air scenting (non-scent discriminating), then move them into the best suited course of instruction. A non-scent discriminating canine would be perfect if you know there is people lost, but haven’t yet identified them. Scent discriminating dogs are ideal whenever you know who your victim, suspect, or person of interest is and have an article of their clothing. Almost never will a canine possess both qualities.
 
Ideal candidates for search and rescue dog training will be puppies around 10 weeks old and an owner who has an hour or much more per day to devote to the dog’s training. Next it will likely be best to buy a specialist training guide, or enroll in a lookup and rescue canine instruction club inside your area.

Regardless of which pet health care route you take the relationship/bond between you and the canine will be essential, as obedience from the animal is equally as critical as the dogs actual sense of smell. In most cases, instruction will begin as a playful game where you permit the canine to explore their sense, although you emphasis on honing their obedience level. Throughout this time you should also be able to figure out their skill-set (tracking and trailing or air scenting).

Finally, you would move on to advanced pet care methods discussed in your training guide, or at your instruction club and hone your animal’s skill level. Training your animal to aid law enforcement or find victims of environmental disasters is really a great gift to give your fellow man. Lookup and rescue animals usually lead happy and rewarding lives.