How to Train Your Dog for Urban Search & Rescue

Urban search and rescue, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), involves locating, rescuing and initiating medical treatment for victims of earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes or terrorist attacks. In many situations the trapped individual will be in a tightly confined place. FEMA suggests individuals interested in urban search and rescue invest hundreds of hours in training for themselves and the dogs.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog toy
  • Leashes and collar
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Instructions

  1. Training for Urban Search and Rescue

    • 1

      Select an appropriate puppy. Most urban search and rescue dogs are German shepherds, labrador retrievers, border collies, golden retrievers and Belgian malinois. Dogs with a ̶0;toy drive̶1; or a drive to look for their toys are most successful. Dogs don̵7;t understand the work aspect of searching and rescuing people. They are simply playing an elaborate game of hide and seek by trying to find the hidden individual.

    • 2

      Train the dog in all the basic obedience commands. The dog must be able to work off leash and respond immediately to commands like come or stay. An urban search and rescue dog will often do its search work without a collar due to the risk of the collar becoming entangled with obstacles during the search. The dangerous situations inherent to a search and rescue situation is not the place for a dog that won̵7;t come when called.

    • 3

      Have a friend take the dog̵7;s favorite toy and hide nearby.

    • 4

      Give the command. "Search" or "seek" are common, but any command can be used if it is used consistently for the dog to begin searching.

    • 5

      Give the dog its toy when it finds your friend. Allow the dog some play time and maybe a treat. As training progresses, have your friend hide in more difficult locations and allow more time to elapse from the removal of the toy from the dog and the search command. The ultimate goal is for the dog to start searching for a hidden person anytime it is given the command.

    • 6

      Get certified and become part of a search and rescue team. FEMA certifies handlers and canine/handler teams. The team will need to demonstrate proper control, agility skills, alerting for finds and a willingness to work in difficult situations. Expect it to take several years to reach a level of proficiency at search and rescue work to achieve a basic certification.