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What Is a Search and Rescue Dog?





To find a better training method, we asked ourselves again, what is a search and rescue dog? We decided that a search and rescue dog is a dog that, on the basis of its training and ability to smell, is able to indicate a human odor for its handler simply and clearly—and that is all!

After that, we came to the following conclusion: a search and rescue dog normally has to search intensively for long periods during a mission. To achieve this ability, its training must bring it to the point where searching becomes a passion for the dog.

Very soon we discovered that the most effective and successful training is that based on the natural ability and drive complexes of the dog—when acts of instinct transform into the desire to work until the end. Every departure from that method creates frustration for the dog and makes it unhappy with the work we want it to perform.

But the main question was, of course, how? With which motivator and with which instinctive behavior could we reach our goal? After considering the different possibilities, we realized that hunting was the first task that humankind had used dogs for. Hunting was, and still is, the dog’s strongest specialization. And hunting is searching.

The dog’s most essential characteristics are similar to those of its ancestor, the wolf. We saw that the wolf’s ancient hunting behavior could be useful for training search and rescue dogs. All we wanted was to use the complex of drives that play a role in hunting to induce the dog to work for our goal, the search for human beings.

Looking at the theory, it seemed logical enough to be right, but how would it work out in practice? Should the dogs, in working out the hunting drive complex, perhaps be sent to kill game? Could such dogs ever be trusted to work off leash? We had many questions and were troubled by many doubts. Furthermore, we found that the professional literature always spoke of a quick drive satisfaction. Only the defensive drive stayed always at the same level, the literature said.

Figure 2.3 In search and rescue work, the dog serves humans in its ancient role as hunter.

 

Using the Hunting Drive

While search and rescue dog groups in Europe were busy with a form of training based on aggressive drives, we took the first steps in another direction. We decided to study the way wild dogs acquire food. We wanted to approach and investigate that subject from all sides to prevent mistakes from the beginning of our training project.

After this phase of investigation, we tried to discover whether our dogs still had the hunting drive complex in a usable form. To our surprise, we found that the hunting drive could be stimulated until the dog was physically exhausted, even in non-hunting dogs. As test subjects we used previously untrained dogs. We succeeded in encouraging the behavior we wanted in these dogs using their hunting drives, without offering pressure or improper support.

By following its own learning method—trial and error—the dog could discover by itself the right way of working. “Dog-like” was our guideline, and we kept it that way. We were thrilled when our test subjects quickly showed a real passion for searching, something that could be attained with other methods only after many years of intensive training, if it could be reached at all.

 

Sometimes people think that a search and rescue dog searches because it feels a sort of charity or sympathy for victims or missing people. That, of course, is nonsense. The dog is instead serving us in its ancient role of hunter. Usually this idea is rejected with indignation. A dog should never hunt people! But it is a fact.

No Aggression

When we talk here about hunting for people, we mean the opposite of police dog training. The hunt as a part of food acquisition is not an act motivated by aggression. Dr. Erik Zimen has written about this point: “During hunting, dog-related canines that live in the wild don’t show any expression of higher aggression, like bristling (standing hairs on the neck and the back), showing teeth and also no fear or diversion aggression (displacement behaviour) when the animal cannot reach his goal.”1

 

In the next chapter, we will discuss the dog’s natural hunting drive and how this can be best employed in training.

Figure 2.4 The handler has to understand the dog’s search system and not disturb it by acts or commands. Let the dog use its natural instincts to find the best method of searching.

 

 

The Hunting Drive Complex

 

Our training method for search and rescue dogs is suitable for searching on rubble and in avalanches, as well as in wilderness and other hard-to-reach areas. This method is based on the hunting drive complex and behavior that results from instinctive acts of the dog. That is to say, we make use of the

• Hunting drive

• Prey drive

• Tracking drive

• Search drive

• Bring drive

• Play drive

• Pack drive

• Motion and occupation drives







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