The search and rescue competition consists of obedience
and search elements
Training a dog for search and rescue requires a greater amount of
time compared to training a dog for tracking, despite the fact that
the dog's natural behaviours is also exploited here. There are two
types of search dogs.
1: Barking dogs. The dog searches for and stays with the search object,
barking,
until the handler appears
2: Reel dogs. After locating the search object the dog takes a reel
from its collar
and runs to the handler with the reel to indicate that the search
object has been
located. The handler then puts a leash on the dog and follows the
dog to the search object. The handler is not permitted to guide the
dog in any way.
Training for this element begins by arousing the
dog's interest in searching for
an object in a wooded area. The dog learns to work with a so-called
high nozzle.
A problem which may arise is that the dog starts tracking instead
of searching.
When searching the dog learns to pick up a scent. Many titbits are
consumed beforethe dog learns to use a reel and a lot of training
is required before the dog learns to thoroughly search the search
area even when there is no object in that particular area.The competition
in the Appel Class (Basic Class?) consists of search and Appel (Basic)obedience.
As is the case where the other competitions are concerned, sufficient
pointsallow for movement to a higher class.
