| Rescue dogs are normally classified as either being | | | | training will be puppies around 10 weeks old and |
| tracking and trailing animals or air scenting animals. | | | | an owner who has an hour or more per day to |
| Each will have their unique advantages (and | | | | devote to the dog's training. Next it will be best to |
| specific search and rescue dog training) based on | | | | purchase a professional training guide, or enroll in a |
| the rescue situation at hand. For instance, a | | | | search and rescue dog training club in your area. |
| tracking and trailing dog is scent discriminating, | | | | Regardless of which route you take the |
| meaning they need an article with a specific | | | | relationship/bond between you and the dog will be |
| human scent on it to find a subject. An air | | | | essential, as obedience from the animal is equally |
| scenting dog is non-scent discriminating and will | | | | as important as the dogs actual sense of smell. In |
| follow any airborne scent that's in the air. | | | | most cases, training will start as a playful game |
| When you decide to give a dog search and | | | | where you allow the dog to explore their sense, |
| rescue dog training you first need to identify if | | | | while you focus on honing their obedience level. |
| they're tracking and trailing (scent discriminating) | | | | During this time you should also be able to |
| or air scenting (non-scent discriminating), then | | | | determine their skill-set (tracking and trailing or air |
| move them into the appropriate course of | | | | scenting). |
| training. A non-scent discriminating dog would be | | | | Finally, you would move on to advanced |
| ideal if you know there is people lost, but haven't | | | | techniques discussed in your training guide, or at |
| yet identified them. Scent discriminating dogs are | | | | your training club and hone your animal's skill level. |
| ideal when you know who your victim, suspect, | | | | Training your animal to aid law enforcement or |
| or person of interest is and have an article of | | | | find victims of environmental disasters is a great |
| their clothing. Rarely will a dog possess both | | | | gift to give your fellow man. Search and rescue |
| qualities. | | | | animals generally lead happy and rewarding lives. |
| Ideal candidates for search and rescue dog | | | | |