Why do we insist on only using fully trained tracking dogs to search for lost dogs? Claire from NK9 Lost Dog Tracking explains:
Many people do some scent work or tracking with their dogs; it’s a brilliant thing to do and has so many benefits. However, there are many differences to doing some tracking for fun/sport and using a dog for operational search work for people or animals.
Our Lost Dog Tracking dogs and handlers go through 3 levels of complex training, have to pass a robust assessment, and commit to ongoing training and CPD before being accepted onto the Operational team. This may seem like a lot to some people, especially if they have tried some tracking and had success because the dog/person was nearby. The difficulty comes when the track isn’t easy. Here are some of the difficulties faced by our Operational teams:
- Often the missing dog was lost days (or even weeks) previously
- No defined start point, and the dog needs to work into scent
- Difficult terrain or environments
- The dog indicates things that the handler cannot read (such as entries into water, for example) when a dog is vulnerable
- Scent trails close to road traffic or railway lines
There are other factors to consider other than the track itself, as well. Our teams are also providing information to families of lost dogs; we are providing hope, but it is so important to know that the information being shared is correct, as it changes the search picture for the wider team. Without training, you simply can’t know whether your information is reliable.
Additionally, the lost dog is vulnerable. We assess all our cases before we deploy a dog, and these assessments ensure safety for both the tracking dog and lost dog. We never chase/pursue or hunt a lost dog, and once we have an alert we stop the dog and hand over to ground search and drones.
Finally, we must also consider the emotional impact of this type of work on both the handler and dog. Dogs have big emotions around scent, and handlers can also have big emotions around certain situations in search, and these aren’t always positive. It’s essential to know how to support both our dogs and handlers through the process, especially after a difficult search. Part of our process includes a debrief after every search, and handler and dog welfare is a top priority.
I would ask people to really think about taking an untrained, un assessed, under prepared dog out to track on a live case. I fully understand this only comes from a good place, because you want to help, but there are other ways you can assist search teams without putting yourself, the lost dog, or your own dog at risk.
Written by Claire at North K9 Lost Dog Tracking, reposted with permission and thanks.