The SAR team is exactly what I’m looking for and Rudi is going to “get it” straight away I feel. They have a number of dogs/handler teams that are certified, or getting ready for evaluation, for different situations. Tracking with distinctions living/missing or HRD, cadaver dogs, one air scenting, and other titles. Things have changed since I was involved with the Georgia SAR Team. I had to ask what the D stood for in HRD – Human Remains DETECTION. Interesting too that when I worked with my Gus he was trained (just air scenting) to find living, lost/dead or drowning victims. The concern in this area for air scenting teams is the amount of urban searches and traffic.
Rudi will probably pick his own expertise, who knows, he might be able to do both tracking and air scenting. Patience and time will tell. He is so darn smart. I just hope his human can keep up.
Rudi was introduced to one of the HRD sources box this morning. He was interested and pretty much sniffed away. I didn’t realize this, but some dogs have an aversion to the smell of, how should I put it lightly, the decomposition of the human body, otherwise known as death. He was allowed to come up to the box and sniff, show interest or whatever reaction that was going to come from him and he sniffed away, was interested in the scent and didn’t try to get away. There are no “body parts” in the box…just stuff like teeth, blood soaked cloth, perhaps some bone or hair. I have to admit I really haven’t asked. All I need to know is that it’s human remains. I am not sure how many people really want to hear about this but it is interesting and the science of it all is just mind blowing. Did you know there was something called pseudo scent …a chemical concoction to mimic human smell. It is controversial from what I learned today and I the team doesn’t use it or recommend it.
He did well on his puppy runaways and any faults are from his handler, me. I need to get used to having all the tracking line in my hand and not letting him just run like a thoroughbred out of the running gate. I did better on the last run.
I am honored to have Rudi to take us on this adventure. and thrilled with my new friends, human and K-9 alike. What a wonderful group of people I’ve met through Rudi.
Hugs, from Rudi and me 🙂
SAR team member Brian and Rudi
Julie H and Rudi
Julie H you are right someone has to do it. It is a lot of hard work. I can not think of a better dog to do SAR work, he is so eager to work and has perfectly stable temperament. Oh and off topic— Rudi is looking fantastic!
Rudi is eager to work and play along with perfectly stable temperament as you say. Glad you think he’s looking good. Carole’s suggestion of adding ground beef to his kibble has made meal time less taxing. Rudi would rather play than eat if given a choice, though he does have his favorite treats. JH
I think it is a really interesting subject also. Good for you making the time to explore something so rewarding and fun for him also.
I must have missed the post about the food. Is he a picky eater so the ground beef is an enticement?
When Chief gets picky I mix in a chopped up hard boiled egg. That usually does the trick.
Woooo yay Rudi and Julie H!
Thanks Becky! Can you believe our little puppies??? 😉
Good for him! I know what you mean about the decomp. When I did pet assisted therapy training with Chopper, they used a sea sponge. She was one of three dogs that reacted by being a bit spooked (the other two were a little toy dog and a HUGE Leonberger puppy that was very afraid of it). Chopper sniffed it, wasn’t exactly afraid, but you could tell she knew there was *something* about that sponge and she wasn’t quite she she liked it.
I’m not put off by your post, I think it is interesting. I wanted to join the local SAR team but I don’t feel like I can put in the time commitment. We kind of dabble in a lot of dog activities and sports but SAR should probably be something I’m more committed to before getting a SAR dog.
Interesting about the assisted therapy training and the use of a sea sponge. Why the sponge?
Yes SAR is a time commitment, fortunately my schedule allows me to reschedule my private students if needed.
As always, I so enjoy your posts and photos. Congrats to you and Chopper! JH 🙂
Hi Kimberly,
It’s not so much that Rudi is a picky eater, he’d just rather PLAY than eat (wish I had that problem). I’m using the ground beef to help entice him and stay focused on the task at hand. Thanks for mentioning the hard boiled egg. If he becomes less interested in the ground beef, or just to change things up a bit, I’ll give it a try. Thanks! JH 🙂
Julie H & Rudi—you do the Alta-Tollhaus family proud!
Please keep posting info on your SAR training!