"Working a SAR dog is incredibly rewarding. The teamwork and trust between handler and dog is a bond that can only be experienced by putting in the time, effort, and heart - and deploying together in the field."



--Mary Cablk, President WOOF Search Dog Teams



what it takes: dog + Handler



Search and Rescue is a lifestyle. It involves being willing and able to respond to searches at inconvenient times, in bad weather, day or night. Being a SAR dog handler is incredibly rewarding, for those who have the right stuff, and the right dog. Scroll down to read about the time and cost involved.



Handler skills



Dog characteristics



big picture



time commitment





The time commitment is substantial. Initially there is training on one's own time at home, every day. Trainees attend an official organized training under the guidance of a trainer every weekend, and this can require driving long distances or even staying away from home overnight. After each training is over, there is time spent recording the training via written logs, which are reviewed by a trainer and re-worked if needed. There are other training and skills development such as medical, online classes, and other SAR related classes that take time to complete. In short, if someone's weekends are already filled with scheduled activities, then this is not the right time to get into SAR. For those who are willing to spend their free time working with a team and his/her dog, at the expense of other hobbies and interests, this might be a good fit.



money - all out of pocket





The initial costs to become a SAR volunteer are significant. Handlers need specialized equipment such as GPS, radios, snowshoes and avalanche gear, water equipment, canine gear and equipment including a crate, batteries, overnight gear, backpacking gear, and a vehicle with 4WD. They need appropriate clothing for themselves. Once a handler and his/her dog is certified, the equipment and gear costs are mostly maintenance, including high quality dog food and access to veterinary care. As driving is a big part of SAR, the fuel and vehicle maintenance costs are high. For training in areas that take handlers out of town, there can be lodging costs, and meals/incidentals. Some specialized training has associated fees. Expect to spend a few thousand dollars a year or more working a SAR dog. This is a volunteer endeavor, and teams are NOT paid or reimbursed for their out of pocket expenses.



Handler skills





search skills



Handlers have the skills needed to be a searcher: expert with GPS, read maps, use a compass, route finding, tracking skills, basic medical, CPR, radio protocols, excellent verbal and written communication, operate within the Incident Command System.



Ability to read dog behavior



The handler trains his/her dog under supervision of a qualified trainer. He/she has to have the ability to execute training and understand dog behavior. Not everyone can train a dog. Being a student during the training program is necessary.



team player



Handlers are part of a team, and must be able to take direction, instruction, and criticism. They work towards the bigger picture alongside others. It's never about them. They are leaders and followers, whatever is needed to get the job done.



independent & reliable



Handlers are team leaders, responsible for everyone's safety.​ They are responsive, engaged and actively participate in their training. They understand their role in the bigger picture. A handler completes their assignment to the best of their ability.



calm and capable



Handlers have good judgement and remain calm in stressful situations. They can think under stress and make decisions based on their training, knowledge and experience. What they report is an accurate reflection of what they did in the field.



physically fit



Handlers can meet the physical demands of searching in rough terrain. They have good balance, endurance, and strength to execute their assignment without injury and while carrying a backpack.



dog characteristics



Working dogs possess the right combination of temperament, drive, and physical ability for the job.
These are not pets and are not treated like pets. They are working partners.



Temperament



A SAR dog is temperamentally stable, meaning it is not fearful of noises, people or animals. It is is not dog or people aggressive. A SAR dog comes out of the truck eager to get to work, and new environments or unfamiliar locations are taken in stride. They are well socialized and confident in all aspects of their job. A SAR dog is not fearful of slick surfaces, or unstable footing, or confined spaces. They can be transported safely in helicopters, on OHVs, in others' vehicles, or on snowmachines, among others and get right to work.



drive



A SAR dog is motivated by play (tug or retrieve) or food - which is their reward. SAR dogs work to play with their handler, not because they love people. The most successful dogs have a combination of drives that involve desire to hunt, chase and play. The motivation to get their reward (for example, play tug with its handler) and the desire for that reward is why they will work for hours over many days, in difficult weather and tough conditions.



physical



SAR dogs, like any working dog, are athletes. They require physical conditioning and training to be able to work off-trail in demanding terrain for long time periods. They are physically fit and free of health conditions or illnesses that affect performance on the job. They are agile and strong and require daily exercise and mental stimulation to keep them from being destructive at home and ready to perform on deployment.



associated costs



Training and maintaining a working dog is costly. They need high quality food, veterinary care, and professional gear designed for the demands of SAR work. They are crate trained. Expect to spend as much as a few thousand dollars while you and your dog are going through the training program, on gear, food, specific equipment, veterinary expenses... the list is lengthy. High quality gear is built to last, and should not need replacing often.



the big picture - dog teams are one part of a search operation





handlers are searchers first



Anyone participating in a search has the skill sets required for deployment without a dog - map/GPS/compass, clue awareness, incident command system, radio communication...



dog teams are one of many resources



Multiple resource types will typically be deployed along with the dog teams. Interoperability is critical for a safe and effective search operation. Drones, ATVs, horses, aircraft, ground pounders all contribute to the mission.



Dogs can provide clues



Sometimes the dog team finds the missing person and sometimes they find clues. Knowing where is a person is NOT is important information. Search managers use a variety of clues, or lack thereof, in their planning process. ​



That others may live



The dog team can play an important role in a search, potentially saving a person's life. Handler and dog, having trained and certified together, are integral to the overall search mission. They are "professional volunteers".





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