NORTH VANCOUVER, BC
Canada
21 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2003 : 2:13 PM
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I have been training my two German Shepherd Dogs in the PEP Course Training Standard (CTS) for four years (Tracking & Search profiles). I have been fortunate to have been able to train with both the current and former RCMP Directors of PDS E-Div. and with a few PEP civilian SAR Dog handlers.
A dog trained in both tracking and search work has its advantages. It is extremely difficult to pick up a track of a lost person/s from the LKP / LPS even with a scent article of the lost person/s. The area is usually so contaminated from people/searchers/family members etc. already out in the search area/s.
In A Nutshell and this is very generalized:
Suppose there is more than one person lost e.g. two people. Put in a PEP SAR handler/team, certified/validated in both tracking and search. The handler would more than likely want to work his/her dog in the search profile in the area (assigned) with his/her dog. It would also be appropriate to have one or two PEP SAR team members assist the handler with maps/navigation, radio, recording of dog alerts, help search and attend to the lost person/s should they be found in the area assigned. This allows the handler to work his/her dog more effectively and expeditiously.
Suppose the dog finds one of the missing people but, their companion has wandered off (but in which direction?) The handler can now utilize the dog's tracking capabilities by harnessing the dog, attach the long line and commence circling the dog in ever increasing circles from where the first lost person was found (larger and larger if need be) until the track of the lost person is picked up.
It can be done in reverse as well e.g. track to the lost person and then search for the other person. It's a judgement call that the handler has to make.
For those of you who are aspiring to train a dog for SAR/Operational work...it is exactly that...a lot of hard dedicated work. You must maintain a log of all of your training (helpful in trouble shooting problems and/or in litigation). When time comes to go for validation the Director of PDS or his assigned designate will ask to see your log. So it's very important to maintain it (neatly) and faithfully.
Finding live quarries is probably one of the most difficult tasks. Try asking someone to go and sit deep in the woods (area 600 x 600 metres) for a few long hours in the rain, fog, snow, cold and damp...while you're down at T H's having a coffee (waiting for the scent to age etc.) before setting out to do your search.
I've quarried and laid tracks many times. I've quarried for the C.A.R.D.A. in Whistler. Being concealed (horizontally and the entrance sealed off)) in dark cramped snow caves with a radio and a PEEPs can be an interesting experience. You sort of get used to it after a week of a steady daily routine between the hours of 08:00 - 15:30 Hrs. The last day, I was buried under two feet of snow three times for 20 min. ea.! Just enough room to breathe in. You really have to want to do this with all your heart.
I have been lucky to have found a few people who are interested in supporting me as quarries and tracklayers.
Tracking is probably one of the most demanding and exacting tasks you'll ever encounter. Finding good track layers/quarries are also difficult to find. Try not to use family members or people the dog knows well too often. Try not to use food to train your dog to track. The entry level validation track is only 45 - 60 minutes old and about 1.5 miles long. Try asking your tracklayer/quarry to sit it out for that much time and if you're working your dog up to greater challenges - four to five hours and possibly a longer track up to three miles long through forest, across farm fields, over barbed wire fences, ditches and roads with various types of surfaces and weather conditions! It is very important to have the tracklayer/quarry at the end of the track as often as possible.
You should try and find person/s who understand fully what operational tracking is and, comprehends exactly what you want and need. If you're working an unknown track, it's sometimes good to have a knowledgeable person go with you (trail). By this I mean someone who knows where and how the the track was laid. This is helpful especially if you're working an inexperienced dog and may have trouble negotiating the track e.g. turns, back tracks, articles etc. This person can assist the handler by keeping him/her in the general area of the track so he/she can work their dog to refind the track.
Good quality FRS radios or commercial band radios (rentals if you don't own them) are extremely beneficial. You can keep in touch with the quarry/s or the track layer.
Finding a Police Dog Handler to come and help you in your training is another extremely difficult task.
The province has a newly formed Association for SAR Dog Handlers (British Columbia Search Dog Association BCSDA). You can join as a non-voting member, voting associate member (MIT w/dog), voting full member PEP SAR Certified/Validated and must be a member of a PEP SAR team. To learn more about this you can contact Mr. Ray Sullivan (Director & Membership) <raysullivan@shaw.ca>
If you want to learn more about tracking. The TRACKWIZARDS are conducting a tracking seminar on March 15'th & 16'th, 2003. The instructors are: RCMP S/Sgt. Tom Haworth Director of PDS E-Div. RCMP S/Sgt. Roy Fawcett (retired - former Director of PDS) and civilian handler/trainer John Stelfox who is qualified in both sport tracking and operational Tracking and Search work.
For information you can e-mail <TRACKWIZARDS@shaw.ca>
There is a great deal to know and learn about SAR Dog Operations. Combine this training with your SAR team training and call-outs...well, you get the picture!
PEP has a SAR Dog Manual you can get from their library. There are some really good books on tracking and search as well - some authors to include Milo Pearsall, Lue Button, John Rice, Sandy Bryson, William Syrotuck to name a few.
Hope this has been of some help.
TRACKWIZARD
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Coquitlam, BC
Canada
239 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2003 : 09:13 AM
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Sounds really interesting. I used to have a G. shepherd (passed away old age) that I had trained in tracking, she loved putting her nose to the ground and tracking. Looking forward to having another dog some day soon and hopefully doing doing Search and Rescue training. Would be fantastic to be helpful in Search and Rescues. Kudos for doing that! If only dogs were like cats and litter box trained. ;)
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TRACKING TRAINING
