Dog Training Secrets

Dogs are dependable and strong animals. They are always there when we need them. However, they do not have an ornamental value in our homes and our lives, but sometimes a more important task.

If you would like to train or get your dog trained as a professional ’search and rescue dog’, then it is important to know a few facts. First of all, always remember that the dog has to be physically sound and mentally very alert at all times. If the dog does not respond to strangers with a bark and is clearly disinterested, it is not a good choice for a search dog. There are certain attributes that it must possess in order to be fit to train as one. In times of tragedy and calamity, he would be expected to be sensitive enough to find victims and save them if he can. If he is not sharp, how will he be able to perform this difficult task? There are times when the canine is required to be gentle, which is another important aspect. You need to instill confidence or identify if your dog is confident enough. This quality will be required when he meets so many new faces, goes to different places and unfamiliar surroundings. He needs to be used to noise, traffic, even a boat or a plane, depending on the requirement. The job is important and hence you need a calm dog, rather than a howling frightened mouse! Identify all these factors in your dog before you decide to train him as a search dog, or else it will be a waste of money.

You, as the owner also need a certain amount of training, for you to be able to work as a team and know things like how scent travels, and be able to trust your dog and let him go. There are so many things like weather conditions and mood of the dog - listen to what he is trying to communicate. All this takes time but once you get the hang of it, it is not difficult. As much as you need to learn to trust your dog, so does he have to learn to trust you and this in turn builds up a great teamwork for search and rescue. When he barks, always know that he is trying to say something. He is not trying to waste you time and never ever doubt him. It is very rare that they make a mistake or a wrong guess. So learn to trust him and go along with his judgement. And if he is right, reward him. This will make him very happy to do the job the next time too. He will put in more effort to do the right thing, when he realizes how happy his master is.