well since its open again, im wondering about her first question, about her dog taking the trail fast and should she make him slow down. should she and if so, why? just wondering...

Julie,

Have you sat down and had a serious conversation with this gal regarding what is needed for SAR and what assets or disciplines are needed for your specific area and team?

I was all over the board when I first started looking into SAR. I wanted to do it all.....but I got my hound and started with that and within a year, had a Mal pup for cadaver. The others just kind of found me when I was not looking.

I would sit her down and discuss your concerns and see if you cannot get her to focus on one discipline for right now.
If not, then invite her to take a break from working her dog and help with being a victim and flanker for a while to maybe help her with her decision on what area she wants to start with.

I will not let anyone fail without doing everything I can to help them see that this is serious business. May take some extra time on my part, but if my gut is telling me they are worth a shot then I usually take the shot, if I feel that they are never going to amount to a K-9 handler but have something else to offer, I discuss it with them.
So far I have only lost three handlers but they have other duties that are just as important on a search, and I have kept 4 that have went on to become certified with their K-9's in less than a year.

Since I don't see a post from the OP since 2005, maybe THAT should go another thread ... seems this one has morphed.