What Makes a Great Rescue Dog

Rescue dogs are frequently used to aid in finding missing people, whether in avalanche areas or in the forest, since they have such a fine sense of smell. Just one dog can do the work of nearly two dozen rescue workers, by covering the same amount of ground in a fraction of the time and far more thoroughly. But how are these dogs chosen and what type of dog training do they go through?The Selection ProcessMost rescue dogs are chosen as puppies. The first selection is usually done around 2 months of age, but the puppies will be weeded out to select the best candidates again at one year, once they`ve matured a bit. While there are some specific breeds (German Shepherd, bloodhounds, etc.) that work better for this type of training, they still need to meet certain standards.The qualities looked for in these puppies include the following:• Strong "prey" drive, the ability to hunt something for extended periods of time, which is useful when searching for lost hikers for several hours.• A calm temperament. Excitable or nervous dogs rarely do well in the field and are not selected for training.• Dog obedience. If a dog isn`t interested in following commands, it won`t be possible to control him in the field, which is essential for tracking.Puppy training begins once the dog has proven to fulfill all the requirements.Training a Rescue DogThe first step in training a young dog to track people is to lay the foundation. This basic puppy training is actually very similar to what any working dog would need to learn and once the puppy has mastered the basic skills, he is ready for more specialized training.The foundation training includes socialization, desensitizing the dog to external distractions, dog obedience classes and barking on demand, among other things.

These dogs also learn to follow hand signals, rather than simply voice commands. This makes it easier to direct a dog that is too far from its trainer to receive voice commands and also allows for silent work when needed.Once the dog is adept at these skills, it`s time for more advanced dog training that will prepare him for the real world of scents. One of the first things a puppy learns is to track by air, following a scent carried on the wind or simply lingering in the air. This is very important for areas that don`t hold a scent, such as river beds. The dog is also trained to track scents left on the ground.To help train these dogs, they are often taken on courses where a person has laid a trail on purpose. The dog is given an object or item of clothing with the person`s scent and is allowed to smell it before casting for the scent in a specific area. In these cases, the person laying the trail will purposely cross roads, walk through water and double back, so the dog can learn to distinguish the true trail. Distractions are also provided, including other animals and people walking across the trail.Since rescue work often requires the collection of evidence, particularly in the case of death, rescue dog training includes learning to point out objects dropped by the person they are tracking and to handle any evidence with care. The most common method of alerting their masters to the fact that they have found something of value is to bark.These dogs participate in specialized rescue dog training and in most areas, are required to pass a tracking and ability test in order to become a certified rescue dog. They then need to be recertified every couple of years or so, depending on the area. They provide a very valuable service and are instrumental in the recovery of missing people every year.

By: Amy Nutt

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Various Dog Rescue Groups

Dog rescue groups are designed primarily to rescue any breed of dog that is being abused by their owners. The various dog rescue groups can legally go into a house and take any dog out that is being mistreated. In addition to rescuing dogs from abusive owners dog rescue groups will also recover the various dogs that are at the overcrowded pounds.The other types of dogs that dog rescue groups go to the aid of is that of the many different strays and abandoned dogs. These dogs are all taken to dog rescue centers. At these centers the staff will calm the frightened animal down. Once the trust of the animal has been gained the staff will wash and clean the dirt and other matter that has accumulated on the dogs.When the dog has been thoroughly cleaned the veterinarian from the dog rescue group will begin healing the many cuts, scrapes and wounds that are on the dog. In addition any internal and external parasites are gotten rid of. The result of this is the dog has a better chance for a full recovery.Once the grooming process and the medical examination has been finished the dog is petted and given lots of love. For many of these dogs this is the first time in their entire life that they are cared for and made comfortable and free. These dogs will also be given a nutritious meal so that they can begin to look healthy.Before these dogs are ready to be adopted the dog rescue groups will place the dogs in foster care. The various families who take care of these unwanted dogs are used to caring for and training these dogs to become loving members of a family.

The various social and behavioral lessons that many adoptive families want from their new four legged family members will be well learnt before the dog rescue groups will consider that the dogs in their shelter are ready for adoption.When a successful adoption has been accomplished the dog rescue group will provide counseling for the adoptive family to get used to the presence of their new pet and the changes that are present in their lives as a result of a pet. These are the many faces of dog rescue groups.These dog rescue groups provide us with a valuable alternative to euthanizing unwanted dogs and puppies. The next time that you hear about a dog rescue group in your area you may want to see how you can help these groups look after the many needs of their doggy tenants.
By: Pertic Brendon

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Rescue Dogs

We have all grown up with at least one hero in our life, but how many people can call their hero Duke or Kiva? The answer- anyone who has had their life saved by a rescue dog.Whether it is a house fire, tornado rubble, leftovers from an earthquake, or flowing water behind a hurricane front, these specially trained rescue dogs rush in with no concerns for their own welfare, pulling out victims, some dead and some still alive. They do this time and time again.With a powerful snout and the ability to smell things a human may not, rescue dogs are hard-working and very loyal to doing what is expected of them. And what do they ask for in return? A hug, a treat or a little one-on-one play time. Not a huge reward, however for these special dogs, it is very satisfying.There are different types of breeds who make better rescue dogs than others. For example, bloodhounds have a talent for prowess and are known for uncovering criminals. Newfound lands are good avalanche rescue dogs and Labrador Retrievers are good cadaver dogs. Any dog can become a rescue dog as long as they can concentrate on tracking scent, such as German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Golden Retrievers.Before being allowed to track, each rescue dog is put through extensive evaluations. Scent detection training is then started and their skills are developed through regular sessions.

In order to track, the dog will pick up on the odor of the person’s skin cells that flake off the body. These skin cells float in the air and hit the ground as a person moves along, and they float to the surface of the water if the victim has drowned.The men and women behind these furry heroes are all volunteers who are fit, enjoy spending time outdoors, and take pride in training and communicating with their rescue dogs. These men and women may also belong to rescue teams such as SOSARD or SWOSAR, who are called out by the police department and may travel several hours to reach a search site. Along with their rescue dog they search in all different types of weather and terrain for lost children, missing fishermen and hunters, accident victims and injured hikers.There is yet another type of rescue dog, who can sniff his trail from the air. Air-scenting rescue dogs work directly and specifically from aircraft, tracking the air and searching for victims. These dogs specialize in structural collapses and drowning victims. Because these air-scenting rescue dogs work on scent trailing above the ground and away from handlers, they become very useful in areas that have been contaminated by human searchers, after it is allowed to be aired out for awhile.In many survivors’ eyes, these furry canines, which make wonderful family pets, make the best heroes of all!

By: Simon Harris

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Rescue Dog Romance

A good friend of mine rescued a dog a while back. He didn't get him from the pound, he sort of "inherited" him when his owner (who had been gravely ill for some time) passed away. The dog, a male, 3-something-year-old named "Busy" had been abused through neglect due to the owner's illness and he brought with him a whole bunch of emotional baggage."Busy" only responded positively to one person in the household, one of my friend's daughters. Everyone else was mostly avoided like the plague. Men especially were feared and given the "low growl" treatment. Since I was over at the house on average 3 times a week, I got a lot of growls...and barks too. I decided early on that I was going to change that.I got out my tools...Kindness, and PersistenceEvery day that I went to the house and walked up the drive I'd get barked at. So I responded with an uber-friendly "Hello Busy Man!"...and sort of "woofed" back in a friendly way. When I'd get in the gate he'd high-tail it around a corner and I'd poke my head around it and keep up the friendly banter. I'd do just about the same thing when I left the house too.This went on for literally weeks!I didn't care though; I was going to keep doing it forever if that's what it took to get "Busy" to start to recognize me and trust me. It didn't take much effort...I just needed to keep at it until he was ready to come to me.

Then one day he did.Instead of skulking around the corner, he actually (tentatively) stretched out to sniff at me. I slowly squatted down and kept up my usual friendly greeting. Then, for a few visits, this became our new dance.Some more time passed, and by then he was actually smelling and touching my outstretched hand. A little more time passed and I was giving him "Knuckle rubs" in that space between his eyes.Today, he barks once or twice until he hears my voice and then he calmly waits for me to walk through the gate and give him a good "pet" because he knows it's coming every time he sees me.Am I a magician?...NOBut I am persistent and I knew it was just a matter of time because he wasn't overly aggressive and he was living with a truly loving family. All I had to do was keep making emotional deposits into his "doggy bank account" until I had enough credit built up for him to take a chance on me. Of course, when he did, I had to deliver even more strokes...and I did. Now we're buddies.Most dogs are truly loving animals who want to be part of your "pack." In the case of Rescue Dogs though, sometimes that natural desire for attachment has been abused right out of them...often to the point where they become overly aggressive. You can rekindle that spark though if you're prepared to be persistently kind.So if there's a Rescue Dog in your future, remember he or she will need more time and understanding from you than other dogs. Be prepared for that. And remember too that the training may take longer, but that just makes the reward at the end sweeter.Thanks for reading...

By: Michael Royce

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Puppy Rescue

While many of us have heard of large dogs needing to be rescued we may not realize that this fact holds true for puppies as well. The different breeds of puppies may look adorable to us when we first see them but some owners abandon these little cuties once the novelty of having a pet wears off. This is where puppy rescue steps in.Here the various breeds of puppies are found from the various places that they have been left in. These places can be large cardboard boxes, garbage bags, puppies left on the sides of the roads, in puppy mills and other types of places. Once the puppy rescue centers are informed about the different types of puppies who need a place to stay, they move into action.The puppy is found and carefully brought into the rescue center. At the rescue center while the puppy’s trust is being gained the center’s vet will examine the puppy. All of the wounds that are found on the puppies will be treated and any parasites that are on the puppies’ body or inside of the puppy will be destroyed with the medication that is given by the vet.Once this medical examination has been completed the puppy rescue team will see that the puppy is carefully washed and cleaned so that the puppy is not frightened or hurt. When the grooming process is finished the puppy will be placed in a cozy kennel. This is where the puppy will live until the puppy rescue centers find good families to place these puppies with.

Before the puppy rescue will allow potential owners to take their pets’ home these owners will need to fill out forms stating that they are willing to give these puppies a loving home and the care that is required. To make sure that there is no problems for the puppies or their potential owners the puppy rescue will have a trial period where the puppy is taken home by the adoptee parent.Once the adoption is considered to be a success, the adoption papers are filled out and the puppy is taken to its new home. With a family who is willing to care for these puppies the puppy rescue can be sure that this puppy will have a good life. Puppy rescue centers have been developed to make sure that puppies have a safe and loving environment. The work that puppy rescue teams perform saves many puppies from being euthanized. The next time that you are looking to adopt a puppy you should see the different puppies that are available from your local puppy rescue facility.

By: Pertic Brendon

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How to Care For a Rescue Dog

Your rescue dog must be checked over by a veterinarian as soon as possible after you have made the dog comfortable with you and your home. It is not a good idea to take the dog to the veterinarian until poochie trusts you since the trip to the veterinarian can be a traumatic event for a dog and there is no way you can have knowledge of how the dog has reacted to the vet in the past unless the rescue society has provided you with that information, which is highly unlikely unless the society took the dog to the vet when it was rescued. When trying to find a vet for your dog, make sure you ask if the veterinarian has worked with rescue dogs in the past and tell the receptionist as much as you know about your dog so they are ready when you bring your dog in. On the day of the veterinary appointment, give your dog some extra attention so they know you are not going to desert them. Be calm when you are putting your dog in the car for your trip to the vet. If the dog has developed an attachment to a specific toy or blanket, make sure you bring it with you. Make sure you have the dog's harness on it and have it's lead with you. When you arrive at the veterinarian's office, put the dog's lead on and take it for a walk so it can still be relaxed prior to you taking it into the office. When you get into the office, keep your dog as calm as possible. When the veterinary assistant calls your dog into the examining room, be prepared for any type of reaction at all. The dog may be fine, may shake like a leaf, may go into a submissive stance, urinate on the floor or table, bark or howl or screech. The dog may try to bite.

Be firm. Tell your dog it is okay, but issue a firm “no” if he or she snaps. The veterinarian team has lots of experience and will help you with your dog. Don't panic.Calm yourself and your dog. Tell the veterinarian anything you have noticed about your dog. If you have questions, ask them. The veterinarian will examine your dog and take blood work and, if you do not have any records that the dog has its latest shots, a rabies and distemper shot will be administered as well as any other shots the veterinarian determines the dog needs. These are all necessary to keep both you and your dog healthy.Oral health for the dog will also be checked. The veterinarian will check its teeth and gums and make recommendations as to oral care for the teeth, including brushing them once a month. Yes, just like you need to brush your teeth daily, your dog needs its teeth brushed too. Your veterinarian will also make recommendations as to diet for your dog to keep it healthy and its teeth healthy too. Some veterinarians recommend only dry dog food, others canned and dry dog food. Listen and try what is recommended, but recognize the fact that your dog may not eat the exact brands the vet recommends and you may have to try a couple of different things before you get it right. Work with your vet on this, they usually are more than willing to make recommendations. Once the examination is complete and all the tests are done, your vet will recommend any medications needed for your dog's health. Nearly all dogs will have to be given monthly heart worm medication to be given orally as well as flea and tick medicine that is applied on the dog's skin between the shoulder blades. There may be other medications necessary as well or other indications of treatment. Pet insurance is available and most veterinarians offer some type of payment plan for their services to keep treatment affordable. When the appointment is concluded, praise your dog for its good behavior and give it lots of love and attention so it knows the veterinarian's is a good place to go. Give your dog a treat too, so the dog knows it has been a good dog. It is very important to make sure your dog has regular veterinary care so you can keep your puppy as healthy as possible.

By: Vikki Gigante

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Dog Training Aids To The Rescue

You can go through your dog training activities in a breeze if you are equipped with all the right stuff. Among the basic items that you will need in training your dog are a 6-foot leather leash, a slip or choke collar, a 15-foot line, cotton rope or webbing, bait pouches, a crate or exercise pen, baby gates, motivational toys and grooming tools.Leashes or LeadsThere is a wide variety of leashes available in the market today. Leashes can be made from a number of different materials and may come in different sizes and widths. Among the most common materials used for leashes are leather, nylon and chain.For maximum comfort for both you and your dog, it would be advisable to choose a 6-foot leash made from good quality leather and use it during your dog training sessions. Among the many advantages of using leather leashes are the following:.It can provide more comfort for you and your dog during trainings. Unlike nylon leads, good quality leather does not cut or burn your skin. And unlike chain leashes, leather leads do not produce earsplitting noises..It is lightweight and is therefore easier to carry..Leather leashes last a lot longer. They can even last for several years!

CollarsUsing slip or training collars can be a logical choice when you are trying to train your dog. These collars tighten as the dog pulls and loosen as he/she relaxes giving your dog the appropriate signals whenever he/she is making a mistake. However, collars should never be used to punish or choke your dog. When buying a collar, make sure you pick one that fits your dog properly. Collars that are either too small or too large can be dangerous and extremely irritating to your dog.Dogs who do not respond to slip collars would do better with a halter. A halter fits over the dog's head and muzzle while allowing him/her to pant and to drink. You can easily control the direction of the dog's head and his entire body as well by using a halter.The 15-Foot LineA 15-foot line is like a long leash that enables you to control your dog even at a distance. You can easily grab it at different places to show your dog who the boss is and as such, can be a very good dog training device.Bait PouchesHaving dog treats in your pockets can be one of the worst inconveniences you can encounter during your dog training sessions. When the treats are scattered on your pockets, you might fumble for a while just to find where they are. As a result, there will be a delay between the time your dog performs something worthy of a treat and the actual time when the treat is given. You may not promptly give your dog the reward he or she deserves and hence, defeating the purpose of the activity altogether.To solve this, consider purchasing or making your own bait pouches. These bait pouches can be made up from any ordinary canvas tool pouches and tied around your waist during your dog training activities. This will make access to the goodies a lot easier and your dog wouldn't have to wait around indefinitely as you fumble for the doggie treats they just earned!A final word of advice - do not trust every word your friendly salesman has to say. All of these items were designed to make your dog training efforts incredibly easy but with the popularity of these products in the market, a lot of manufacturers are out there to make a buck or two from unsuspecting dog owners! Know what really works and what doesn't. You need to know which of these gears deliver on their promises and which ones were designed specifically to make a profit. It would be best to do your research extensively and seek advice from credible sources to know more about these things.

By Michael Russell

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