How to Train Beagles as Search and Rescue Dogs

The usual search and rescue dog is a large breed such as a German shepherd or a Labrador retriever. But beagles have better noses than most other dog breeds, except for the bloodhound. They are also smaller, which means they may be able to get into places larger dogs cannot. Beagles love food and will do just about anything to get it. Beagles have been trained to find drugs, termites and contraband. This makes the breed excellent as search and rescue dogs and as cadaver recovery dogs.

Things You'll Need

  • One smelly piece of old clothing
  • Dog chest harness
  • Long lead (retractable is okay)
  • Bag full of special treats
  • One human friend
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fit the beagle with a chest harness. This frees the head and neck to do a lot of searching on the ground. Using a standard collar and lead presses uncomfortably against the beagle's throat.

    • 2

      Take the beagle and a smelly piece of old clothing into a small room. Beagles can be easily distracted and doing the first training steps indoors helps keep the beagle's attention on the scent at hand. Present the old smelly piece of clothing. When the beagle sniffs it, praise and give a treat. Toss the clothing in the air. When the beagle moves toward it, praise and give a treat. Place the clothing a few steps away and then let the beagle go. Hide the clothing while the beagle watches and then let the beagle go. Praise and reward.

    • 3

      Train the beagle to give you a signal that he has found the desired object. This can be done once the beagle gets the idea of finding something. Watch the beagle to see how he normally responds when finding the smelly piece of clothing. Does he bark, scratch the ground or stay quiet? Quiet dogs can be trained to sit or lie down as their signal. This takes multiple sessions of pairing the act of finding the desired object with sitting down, barking or scratching the ground.

    • 4

      Make a human friend hide in a room while the beagle is outside. Have the friend call the beagle and see if the beagle finds the friend. Praise and reward. Then progress to having the friend hide in another place but this time remain silent. When the beagle finds the friend, both you and the friend praise and reward. Try these exercises outside where there are more distractions for the beagle.

    • 5

      Take Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) search and rescue (SAR), American Rescue Dog Association or National Association of Search and Rescue classes. If your beagle has progressed to Step 4, then the dog has what it takes to get certification. You will also get to train over many different terrains and situations with lots of support and encouragement. Often only certified dogs will be allowed to go on a search and rescue mission and not just any dog and handler, according to the book "Dog Heroes of September 11."

    • 6

      Keep on repeating these lessons in a variety of indoor and outdoor situations as long as the beagle is healthy and willing to work.