I have started to train my 7 month old Border Collie for SAR work. I have a couple of questions and hope you can assist with them.

1- Can K9 SAR actually scent discriminate for air scenting?
2- Is it feasible to train my dog to 'search' for any human scent?
3- Is there an actual training program that someone can use to train with?

Thanks again for you help!

Jonathan Phaneuf
Sooke, BC
Canada

Try getting the American Rescue Dog Association (ARDA) book. I believe all they do is air-scent and they have lots of training drills.

1- Can K9 SAR actually scent discriminate for air scenting?
ABSOLUTELY! NO QUESTION ABOUT IT - the catch is you usually train scent discrimination using trailing problems. But a dog can and often does work air scent problems with a scent article. The original non scent discriminating training was done in the vast wilderness of the pacific NW and people in the east (many in NC) realized that given the different search conditions and proximity of adjoining crews, than a scent discriminating air scent dog would not waste time finding members of other ground crews.

2- Is it feasible to train my dog to 'search' for any human scent?

YES- If a dog is trained in scent discrimination they can still be trained to search without a scent article and can work either way.

3- Is there an actual training program that someone can use to train with?

There are books with training programs but they are not consistent with the way a lot of folks are training now.

No book is going to substitute with training with experienced people Being on and getting help from a good team is the best way.

You have to figure out which way you want to go and I would figure out your philosopy before you start. Maybe even go to some seminars - to understand the different approaches people take.

Basically, I have heard time and time and time again that you will not mess up a dog if you start with trailing then progress to air scent work. There seems to be broad consensus in this. There is not broad consensus that a dog started in trailing will be a better air scent dog, but some feel it does. It will help you with reading your dog though.

There also seems to be a certain amount of consensus that if a dog is started doing air scent problems, they may have difficulty in transitioning to trailing later on. (Trailing to air scent EASY //// Air scent to trailing HARD)

Runaways are controversial - some swear by them, some feel they are working the dog in prey and not hunt. The ARDA method relies on runaways and does not use scent discrimination. I don't know if it does in the new book.

Also disaster dogs are not trained in scent discrimination as you are looking for any live folks in the rubble pile and that is different than trying to locate an individual in the wilderness.

Please, the first thing to do is find a local SAR team and meet with them. They can answer lots of your questions about how the dog works and is trained. Also they will inform you of all the areas you will need to be trained in, first aid, navigation, etc.