It is no news that the dog isn’t only a pet and that it can also help saving human lives in various catastrophes. But have you ever thought about what it means for dogs to become rescuers? You haven’t? Well, then it’s the right time to set off together on a short excursion into the life of search and rescue (SAR) dogs.
While you can read on the history of dog rescuers in one of the previous articles, the one today is going to focus in more detail on their training and on all that it relates to. For example, did you know that dog rescuers undergo a long training and that they are selected into the program not only according to their health state and breed, but mainly according to their desire to work, temperament and relationship with the trainer? However, most often, the dogs of the shepherd or hunting kind are chosen.
If a dog rescuer is supposed to perform their work well, they have to trust their handler unconditionally. From a very tender age, the dog has to be absolutely composed and it mustn’t show any fearfulness or aggressive behaviour. Such dog should therefore calmly stand sounds of shots, of a saw and the like, which normally scare the other dogs. Enormous demands are laid also on their physical shape. The size of the dog is also determining. The dog handler must count with the fact that they are going to lift the dog in the future, help them up or hand them over. Therefore, extremely large breeds are not suitable, same as the ones that are extremely small.
During the training, a SAR dog prepares even for extreme conditions. They are subjected to unexpected obstacles. These are represented by unusual situations that the dog may encounter. The dog can reach the top level “already” in two to four years. However, such training isn’t something one-off: on the contrary, training takes place for the entire life of the dog.
Even SAR dogs may specialize and pass numerous expert exams that test their readiness in various situations. Since they need different skills for every activity. Among the rescue disciplines belongs:
aerial search and rescue – the dog searches for lost persons in terrain, e.g. in the forest, it usually concerns children or elderly people;
disaster search – locations of buried people, in the Czech Republic most often in collapsed family houses after gas explosion, in collapsed buildings or various factory structures;
avalanche search – search of persons buried by an avalanche;
rescue from ice – help to the people who have fallen under ice;
drowning search – search for the drowned and rescue of the drowning – this is the youngest discipline during which the dog lies beside the handler on the bow of the boat and it searches using their scent on the surface of the water for the drowned;
and rescue tracking.
Experts estimate that one dog rescuer can cover the work of up to twenty people! Since they are able to explore wider areas mainly due to the fact that they have a much better developed scent, sight and hearing. This way, they are able to register even subtle signs of life. The high number of survivors is helped also by the fact that dogs are capable of working faster than humans.
The largest organisation that devotes itself to the training of search and rescue dogs in the Czech Republic is the Association of rescue brigades of dog handlers of the Czech Republic . The association is active abroad as well, where it helps e.g. after earthquakes of a larger scale.
I believe that these hard working dogs deserve genuine respect and acknowledgement. And I only wish you that you would never need their help. But if this has already happened to you or you witnessed such an event, I would be glad if you shared your experience with us.
In this cycle, we’re going to have a look together on how cats and dogs are doing around the world. Where they are pampered and people forego them and where, to the contrary, the pets suffer and their situation is critical. Today, I will introduce you...
Especially outdoor cats are often suffering from ear mites. What is it actually, and how to get rid of it?
In this series, we will get to know famous dog personalities. Dogs play an important role in our life, so let’s take a look what they have already achieved during the time of our lives together. With his determination, Balto saved lives of many people...
Everyone likes to take their four-legged friend along with them on a holiday, but the situation just won’t allow it sometimes. Not all the dogs take well to long trips by car or high temperatures, or are A graders in obedience, some are habitual...
Already since about 100 thousand years ago, when people started with domestication, we have been aware of positive effects of living together with animals. And this doesn’t concern only healing methods. Already the very presence of our pets helps us to...
If you have a cat at home, you have certainly encountered the issue of who will take care of it at times. Especially now, at the time of holidays and departures for vacations. Relatives or friends are not always able to come over and to take the cat...
I have already written about dangerous foods for dogs. But how about cats?
All of us probably know that chocolate is dangerous for dogs. However, did you know that you can poison your furry friend even with nuts, for example?
The time of kittens is getting closer. Outside, however, the kittens may lose their mum from various reasons. Besides, people will start getting rid of unwanted family arrivals. So it can easily happen to you, that you will find little cat new-borns....
Do you know, that you can insure your pet? But does it even pay off, what does the insurance cover and what are the conditions?
You may have already met a dog with a tied yellow ribbon on its collar or on its leash in the street. Did you know, that it is not a fashion accessory, but a message for the passers-by?
Rabbit hopping is a relatively young discipline that is quickly gaining new fans. After all, rabbits are virtually born for jumping, so why not use it for both their and their master’s entertainment.
