After the dog or puppy is very focused in the first runaway exercises and doesn’t slow down or get distracted, we start the real scenting problems.
In the very first runaways, the dog is let go to run after the volunteer as soon as he/she tucks behind a tree or other object. As soon as the dog arrives at the “hidden” person, the volunteer plays with the dog — it is a big party. The best search dogs are highly focused on the toy, so are easy to motivate.
While working on the first runaways, you need to begin teaching the dog a signal command. That signal — I use a “bark” — is how the dog will tell me that she has found the person.
The second half of runaway training involves calling the dog back to you after they’ve run to the person. Your volunteer, at this stage, hides the toy and doesn’t offer it. The handler calls the dog, and the dog should be reluctant to leave. That focus on the subject is an excellent sign.
When the dog does come back to you, ask for her for her signal, whether it is a bark, a jump up, or a more passive behavior like lying down or sitting. I prefer the bark signal, as it’s easy to read, it doesn’t wear on their body or yours like a jump up, and easy to do in any terrain. A passive alert can slow down the dog’s enthusiasm too. A passive alert is critical to use for dogs who search in dangerous areas such as a collapsed building, however.
When the dog returns, finally, give the command for the signal. You might have to try a few times, calling the dog back, with a dog that is properly enthused about getting to the subject.
During all of the beginning search training weeks, it’s an excellent time to practice obedience skills. Those include:
- Walk politely on a loose leash around unfamiliar people, dogs, other distractions
- A reliable down stay and sit stay around distractions
- Come when called
- “Leave it” to make sure the dog does not eat, or roll in, dangerous or disgusting things (or other searchers’ lunches!)
This is also the time to familiarize the dog to many situations common on searches:
- Get the dog on the transportation it will experience on searches: ATVs, sitting with you in the back of a pickup truck, floatplanes, helicopters, boats.
- Expose the dog to loud noises, chaotic groups of people.
Rain City K9 