Consider brief description four breeds of rescue dogs. These will be: St. Bernard, German Shepherd, Newfoundland and Labrador.
St. Bernard
One of the oldest known to man rescue dog breeds. Dogs of this breed were bred in France. It was the well-known monastery of St. Bernard, from the name of which the name of the breed came. The St. Bernards are designed to rescue people high in the mountains.
They are called "avalanche dogs" for their exceptional scent and ability to find people buried alive under avalanches. St. Bernards are able to anticipate the coming disaster in 6-7 hours thanks to their extraordinary intuition.
They easily find a person under a layer of snow several meters deep. Thanks to their strength, they can easily dig out a person buried under snow or other rubble, heat him with their body and drag him to a safe place, or lead rescuers to the scene.
Newfoundland
Newfoundland is a breed of dog designed to rescue people on the water. Dogs of this breed are not afraid of frosts. Newfoundlands can safely be in icy water. The anatomical difference in the structure of dogs of this breed, such as the presence of the third century, the special structure of the paws and ears, the presence of membranes between the toes. All this allows Newfoundlands to dive to great depths, about thirty meters and swim very long distances up to twenty kilometers.
The human rescue instinct is so strong that the dog throws itself into the water at the slightest suspicion that the person is drowning.
German Shepherd
At the very beginning, the German Shepherd was used as a protector of livestock from predators. However, the dog handlers noticed that German shepherds are distinguished by their special ingenuity, great strength, dexterity, and devotion. Gradually, German shepherds began to be used for border protection, as rescuers during emergencies both in wartime, and now they are used to catch criminals and protect property. German Shepherds do this job much better than their brethren.
Labrador
Labrador (Labrador Retriever) is one of the most good-natured obedient, active and hardy dogs. The Labrador retriever has many functions. He is a hard worker, guide, rescuer and hunter. But the main thing is that the Labrador is a loyal and devoted friend! Labradors learn easily and quickly because they are smart and quick-witted. It was originally a breed of working dogs. Now, thanks to the ease of learning, Labradors memorize and execute about two hundred commands! The history of the breed originates in Canada, on the island of Newfoundland. According to another version, their homeland is the island of Labrador, which gave the name to the breed. Dogs helped local residents in fishing, in search of people lost during the storm, served as carriers of goods, and helped during the hunt ..
Currently, the Labrador is considered one of the best dogs- rescuers and human assistants. He can save people on the water, both Newfoundland and high in the mountains, like St. Bernard. Labradors tend to bedridden people and so on. In addition, this is a great dog for a family, he easily finds mutual language with other pets.
Most Popular Rescue Dog Breeds
If a person, for example, is weak in spirit and lonely, if he needs a reliable protector, or his work is associated with a risk to his life, then rescue dog breeds are what you need! Take your pick and feel safe!
Animals performing search and rescue operations in mountainous areas serve in any, even the most unfavorable weather conditions, after earthquakes, avalanches and other emergencies. Throughout the history of their existence, they managed to save thousands of people. In this work, high speed and organization are very important, since the minutes count and the lives of the affected people are at risk. The reliability of the rescue operation depends on the working qualities of the dog.
Search Dog Tasks
The main goal search dog in mountainous areas is the detection of victims in a short time and the designation of their location by barking.
In addition, he must be able to:
- contact with the guide, understand his commands and tasks and obey implicitly;
- if necessary, escort rescuers, medical workers, and other dogs to the scene of the accident and adequately respond to them;
- firmly grasp and carry special diamonds in the teeth;
- to be as focused and concentrated on the task at hand in order to detect victims even at a depth of 10 meters, and at the same time not be distracted by extraneous stimuli, for example, the smell of burning.
What qualities should a rescue dog have?
In order to educate and train a dog that is competently performing search and rescue operations, it is necessary to select the best one, which has a number of necessary qualities. The following requirements are put forward for dogs saving human lives:
- 1.strong constitution, muscular physique;
- 2. endurance and excellent physical fitness to overcome any difficulties and obstacles;
- 3. a balanced nervous system, increased stress resistance to withstand heavy psycho-emotional stress;
- 4. healthy sense organs: nose, eyes, ears and, accordingly, a well-developed sense of smell, sight and hearing are necessary assistants in the search for injured and wounded;
- 5. strong-willed disposition and the ability to make decisions independently;
- 6. the ability to navigate the terrain, adapt to various weather conditions (heat, cold, snowfall, etc.) and adapt to the desired rhythm;
- 7.high intelligence;
- 8. no fear of various obstacles and trials;
- 9. excellent ability to train and teach even the most difficult teams;
- 10. obedience and complaisance;
- 11. good nature, sympathy for a person, adequacy;
- 12. high level of socialization, the ability to make contact with strangers and other animals.
There is another recommendation regarding the external data of the dog: an animal serving in search expedition, should not be too large, since he has to wade through the rubble and penetrate into small holes. In order not to damage the skin, not to get tangled and not to get injured in caves, the walls of which are often covered with powerful rhizomes of plants, the dog should have a coat of medium length, but long-haired or short-haired breeds are not excluded, but the risk of injury is quite high.
Mine Rescue Breeds
There are varieties of dogs that help to save dozens of people every year and have a number of innate qualities necessary for successful work at height. But experts say that it is possible to instill search and rescue skills in absolutely any member of the canine family, provided he has the necessary inclinations.
Have the right one and trained dog search actions take about 10 minutes. For comparison, twenty specialists of the Ministry of Emergency Situations can perform the same amount of work in 4–5 hours.
The top three breeds are presented below.
St. Bernard
This is the most efficient dog in work at height.
The Tibetan Mastiff is considered the ancestor of this ancient breed. In the 11th century, the monastery of St. Bernard was established on the territory of the Swiss Alps, which received the status of a refuge for travelers. The monks living in it have been breeding large guard dogs for many centuries.
In the 18th century, the natural and climatic conditions in these parts began to change, there were frequent avalanches, which not only caused irreparable damage, but also caused the death of people. It was then that the St. Bernards began to be used as rescue dogs, easily finding victims among the mountain debris.
They were accustomed to find victims of natural disasters covered with snow or fallen through at the St. Bernard Pass, and for a long time to warm them with their bodies and frequent licking of the face and hands, until their relatives brought help.
One of the features of the dogs is their impressive size. The growth of adults varies from 68 to 90 cm, and the weight is from 70 to 100 kg. Nevertheless, this dog is to this day the most popular and indispensable rescuer who helped out many mountain climbers. For this, the St. Bernard has all the necessary qualities:
- coat - short or medium, tight to the body, but with abundant undercoat, which allows the dog to easily tolerate temperature extremes inherent in mountainous areas, and work effectively in difficult weather conditions (frost, snowfall, etc.);
- the physique is powerful, muscular, with strong limbs;
- high intellectual abilities and learning ability, ingenuity;
- the highest reaction speed, the ability to independently and quickly make decisions;
- a unique ability transmitted at the level of genes - excellent orientation in space, which allows dogs to always return home despite the harsh conditions of the area;
- natural endurance that allows you to walk more than a dozen kilometers without rest;
- strong character and fortitude, increased stress resistance, lack of fear and panic even in the most extreme situations;
- willingness to come to the rescue, using at the same time to the maximum physical and mental abilities;
- benevolence, especially towards children, and an adequate attitude even towards strangers, which is observed in dogs from birth;
- good obedience, devotion, contact.
The most famous mountain rescuer of the 19th century is a St. Bernard named Barry. For twelve years of good service, the selfless four-legged hero saved more than 40 people in the Alps, including children.
German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is one of the most famous and oldest breeds... According to one version, her ancestors are the northern wolves, from which the species inherited such qualities as endurance and great physical strength. These dogs have established themselves as the best search dogs, excellent guards and, of course, search engines. Therefore, such a versatile species is successfully used both in service and on guard, to guard livestock and help in rescue operations, to search for climbers in unforeseen situations on mountain slopes.
According to standard data, the weight of shepherd dogs ranges from 22-40 kg, and their height is 55-66 cm. For work in the mountains, these dogs have the following useful qualities:
- good physical shape, strong physique, with a developed muscular corset, powerful paws;
- a coat with an abundant undercoat, which gives the dog the opportunity to work effectively even at low temperatures and snowfall;
- high mental abilities, according to official data, shepherd dogs are among the three most intellectually developed dogs;
- easy learning, inclination to obedience;
- excellent sense of smell and hearing, which help in orientation in the terrain;
- benevolent character, ability to get along with people (including small children), desire to come to the rescue in dangerous situations;
- the ability to take the victims to a safe place, to be a guide even for the blind;
- fearlessness, strength, dedication, allowing the dog to help out everyone who desperately needs his help
Sheepdog Ajax rescued more than a dozen people from the snow captivity, working 96 hours in a row without rest. Even when her paws were frostbitten and worn down to the bones, she continued to scrape the tightly compressed snow and did not calm down until she freed the last survivor from under the rubble.
Alaskan Malamute
One of the oldest breeds native to Alaska, used for driving and transporting heavy loads in harsh climatic conditions, which once helped to conquer both poles of the planet Earth. Along with this, the malamute was also used in search and rescue expeditions.
The height of these dogs varies from 57 to 63 cm, and their weight does not exceed 38 kg. Other performance characteristics include the following:
- Medium-length hard coat on the outside with a soft undercoat is moisture-proof. Allows the dog to work even in the worst weather conditions.
- A strong constitution with powerful legs and well-developed musculature is the basis of the strength, power and endurance of dogs. Malamutes are capable of transporting loaded sleds weighing up to 400 kg. It will not be difficult for them to bring the wounded person home if necessary.
- Strong-willed character, the ability to independently make decisions without the command of the owner. This quality has repeatedly saved people's lives in the harsh northern expanses.
- High efficiency. Dogs perfectly tolerate even increased physical activity.
- Decent orientation on the terrain, choosing the right road to the house. Malamutes move freely on the snow crust, overcoming high drifts and drifts, pass in those places where neither other dogs nor people can pass.
- Increased friendliness even to strangers, especially children, excessive kindness and compassion. A dog will never leave a person in trouble.
- High intelligence. The animal can memorize commands the first time. However, against the background of natural stubbornness, difficulties with upbringing often arise. This breed is trained only by competent specialists.
Love to dig deep holes - this property is often used by search and rescue expeditions. In a short period of time, the dog digs a large depression due to its dexterity. It is not at all difficult for him to dig out the victim from under the rubble in a matter of minutes, without causing any harm.
Other suitable breeds
The following breeds can be recruited to participate in high-altitude search and rescue expeditions with proper training.
| View | a brief description of | Photos of species representatives |
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| Labrador Retriever | This is a fairly compact and agile dog with well-developed muscles and a proportional build, capable of crawling under any blockage. Its weight varies from 25 to 36 kg, and the maximum height at the withers is 57 cm. Retrievers are considered the most good-natured and compassionate breed in the world. That is why they can often be found among search and other rescuers. In addition, the breed has the following essential qualities:
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| Australian Shepherd (Aussie) | In the rocky western regions of America, where there are frequent elevation changes, farm dogs that are insensitive to this phenomenon have appeared, capable of managing huge herds even in difficult weather conditions. Aussie of medium height (up to 58 cm), weighing up to 25 kg, muscular and balanced constitution without looseness. She has earned immense popularity due to her selfless dedication and willingness to serve people. In addition, the breed has the following useful characteristics:
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| Leonberger | According to one of the versions, the ancestors of the Leonberger were mountain Pyrenean dogs. And also the famous rescuers - St. Bernards - took part in the formation of the breed. They are huge, but proportionally built, powerful dogs, not devoid of elegance and grace. Despite their impressive size (height at the withers 65–78 cm, weight up to 78 kg), they are characterized by agility and amazing plasticity, which allows them to jump perfectly, easily and freely move over any terrain. Numerous talents of lion dogs are used in search and rescue activities, including on the water and in the mountains. The breed has the following advantages:
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| Spaniel | Spaniels are medium-sized dogs (height at the withers in different subspecies does not exceed 50 cm), with a lean physique, increased activity and agility. Their excellent hunting nose is also used in search and rescue activities. All spaniels have the following positive qualities:
In the 90s of the XX century, the Spaniel Lenka was involved in the service of the Russian Emergencies Ministry, which saved many people from the rubble, including small children. He accurately determined whether a person was alive or dead, and informed the rescuers about the whereabouts of the victims either with a loud bark or a quiet whine. |  |
| Drathhaar | The best of the Pointing Dog breeds comes from Germany with a height at the withers up to 68 cm, weighing up to 32 kg. Despite the fact that it is a hunting breed, humans have learned to use its agility and energy for search and rescue purposes. The features of this type include the following:
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| Rottweiler | Rottweilers are powerful dogs with a balanced constitution and even temperament. Height can reach 68 cm, and weight varies from 42 to 50 kg. The role of this breed in the process of its development periodically changed. It was also used for driving livestock, guarding, transporting goods, as a service dog. In the Scandinavian countries, Rottweilers are designed for mountain and forestry rescue and search operations, since they have the following necessary qualities:
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| Doberman | One of the most common breeds with a muscular, harmonious physique, the height of which can reach 72 cm, and the body weight reaches 45 kg. Indestructible energy and endurance, the desire to be useful to humans, speed, strength and agility have made this breed a versatile working dog. The Marines used these dogs to carry out the most difficult special assignments, they were trained for reconnaissance, guarding, delivering messages, detecting mines and exploring caves in mountainous terrain. TO positive properties Dobermans also include:
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| Laika | Likes come in various subspecies (average height reaches 58 cm, weight - up to 30 kg), but they all have one thing in common - fearlessness. These rescue dogs will no doubt risk their lives to help someone in trouble. The northern breed is universal, used for transporting goods and as a sled, herding or hunting breed. Thanks to its positive qualities Likes also become excellent lifeguards. They are endowed with the following qualities:
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| Border Collie | A very good option for search service, because it is one of the smartest breeds in the world, ranking first in intelligence. These small dogs (maximum height up to 54 cm, weight up to 21 kg) are able to work independently, being at a great distance from the guide, which allows them to be used as guards and rescuers in any terrain, including in the mountains. Borders have the following important qualities:
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It is impossible to imagine how the history of mankind would have developed if we had not had a dog - a loyal, courageous, intelligent and strong friend. For thousands of years they have been guarding and protecting, helping in hunting and transporting goods. They are the ears and eyes of those who need it. And in case of trouble, the rescue dogs do everything to save the life of the stranger at any cost. What are they, our four-legged guardian angels?
A small lump, which is no more than three months old. He is still such a silly person: he chases his own tail, jumps awkwardly on the sofa, constantly climbs to kiss. But already at this age, one can understand whether a funny puppy will be able to become a faithful, capable and strong rescue dog, whose life will be closely intertwined with the life of people who find themselves in terrible situation- situations when it is almost impossible to help yourself.
During the Second World War, after the bombing of London, the four-legged rescuer Irma found seventeen people in the ruins of buildings.
One day a stranger visits the house. He has kind eyes, a gentle voice and smells pleasantly of something imperceptibly familiar from him. How curious and fun! For some reason, the owner is worried and all the time says that he really wants to become a volunteer, that he admires the rescue dogs working in the mountains, on fires, rubble and in many other places, whose names mean nothing for a puppy yet. The stranger tells the owner about some tests. I wonder if they are as delicious as dough? It seems that the stranger is about to play: he touches his nose, teases with a bone, claps his hands, drops a rattle on the floor, runs away and hides, invites the owner to play.
St. Bernard Barry saved four dozen people in twelve years of service. In total, throughout the history of the breed's existence, St. Bernards have saved the lives of thousands of people.
It’s so simple, at one request of the owner, the path of two heroes begins - the dog of the rescuer and its owner. So far, this is only a small step, and there are still two long years of training for the main teams, training in different conditions and testing for "professional suitability". Of course, the fate of many puppies is determined even before birth, if, for example, the parents of the baby work in the Ministry of Emergencies. But throughout the history of dogs, rescuers who work in tandem with owners have achieved very high results - either because of emotional attachment, or because of the amount of time that the owner devotes to his pet.
It is impossible to imagine how the history of mankind would have developed if we had not had a dog - a loyal, courageous, intelligent and strong friend. For thousands of years they have been guarding and protecting, helping in hunting and transporting goods. They are the ears and eyes of those who need it. And in case of trouble, the rescue dogs do everything to save the life of the stranger at any cost.
The best are Labrador rescuers, some will say. No, no one can do the job better than a shepherd dog, others will object. Both are right, but Labradors are gluttons, and shepherd dogs sometimes show anger towards strangers. Maybe spaniels? Or schnauzers? Collies, terriers?
The main tasks of a search dog are to find a person and designate the find by barking or taking a special "ponosca" in the teeth. The dog cannot bandage wounds or make artificial respiration... In very rare cases, she is able to get the victim from under a pile of stones. To help, even the most dexterous and strong dog the rescuer herself needs human help. Therefore, a keen sense of smell, physical stamina and a passion for work are not the only requirements. The dog should be mentally stable - not distracted by noise and other extraneous stimuli, good-natured - not to frighten the found person, not to rush at strangers (doctors, other rescuers, their "colleagues"). That's why strict framework there is no question of what breed a rescue dog should be. The main thing is that the dog possesses all the qualities necessary for such a complex work: endurance in every sense, keen hearing and scent, obedient disposition, the ability to concentrate on the task at hand and act independently, if the need arises.
A rescue dog is not just a profession, it is a noble deed, to which the animal and the owner must devote a lot of time and effort. At the same time, the four-legged heroes simply do their job, not even suspecting that if it were not for them, then there would be much more broken destinies, destroyed families and cut short lives in the world!
The world is not safe for humans. Accidents, natural disasters and catastrophes occur with frightening regularity, sometimes leading to human casualties. It is difficult to find a person covered by an avalanche or a collapsed building. It is even more difficult to do this so quickly that the victim does not suffocate, was not crushed, and did not die from blood loss. A specially trained rescue dog is able to quickly find the victim under the multi-ton rubble.
Dogs helped rescue people in trouble many hundreds of years ago. In the Pamir mountains, a drawing was found depicting a dog that rescues a person; the drawing is about one and a half thousand years old.
In Europe, the first rescue dogs appeared in the 19th century, in the Alpine monastery named after St. Bernard. When a snowstorm began, the monks tied small barrels of rum around the dogs' necks and sent them in search of people lost in the storm. Powerful, thickly furred animals were not afraid of frost and, sensing a person in trouble under the thickness of the snow, they dug him out, gave him a drink from a barrel of warm wine so that the traveler could get warm as soon as possible, and brought help. This breed of dogs was later named St. Bernards, in honor of the patron saint of the monastery.
How many people were saved by the St. Bernards, it is impossible to count. But the most popular among them was the St. Bernard named Barry. The story about him has long become a legend. Barry had sensed a blizzard approaching intuitively more than an hour before it started, and became very restless. Once he saved a child who was deep under an avalanche, and no one even suspected that trouble had happened to him, except for Barry. Barry found the baby and licked his face until the baby came to his senses. Barry saved forty people. After Barry's death, a monument was erected to him in one of the Parisian cemeteries.
Even in the very first wars, dogs served as sentries, messengers and scouts. Later, they brought ammunition, medicine and telephone cables, determined the location of mines and found the wounded. During the First World War, gas masks were worn on dogs. And modern armies prefer to employ dogs. German Shepherds, Collies, Dobermans and Rottweilers serve in different armies. White dogs are not accepted for this role, as they are easier to spot for the enemy.
Hero dogs are now called those who helped people during the hostilities. The dogs were full-fledged fighters and took part in the search for people missing under the rubble, defused mines, worked as messengers. They have saved thousands of lives. Many four-legged warriors have gone down in history. Stories about their exploits have survived to this day. Here is some of them.
An orderly dog named Mukhtar pulled out more than 400 wounded soldiers from the battlefields during the war years. Shepherd Dina was trained in sabotage and took a course of training for the destroyer of enemy tanks. During the days of the defense of Leningrad, the Nazis reported that "the Russians had released rabid dogs into positions." In the famous "rail war" in Belarus, Dina derailed an entire train, dragging explosives right under the wheels of a steam locomotive. Collie dog Dick was trained in mine detection. In his personal file there was such a record: “Called to serve from Leningrad. During the war years, he discovered more than 12 thousand mines, took part in the demining of Stalingrad, Lisichansk, Prague and other cities. " But Dick performed his main feat in Pavlovsk. He discovered in the foundations of an old palace a two and a half ton landmine with a clockwork mechanism, an hour before the explosion. After the war, Dick participated in many exhibitions. He died of old age and was buried with all military honors, as befits a hero.
The Search and Rescue Dog Service was established in Russia in 1972 and developed one of the world's best training methods for rescue dogs.
Recently, more and more advanced technology has come to the rescue of rescuers, but the dog's nose is still indispensable for finding people under rubble or avalanches - after all, it is able to distinguish a smell dissolved in the air in a ratio of one to ten million! One rescue dog saves the labor of dozens of people. Indeed, in a dog's nose there are 500 million cells capable of capturing a smell, and in a human one there are only 10-20 million. Therefore, the most modern devices will not replace the dog's nose and ear.
A specially trained dog is capable of capturing even the faintest odors and distinguishing them from thousands of unnecessary ones; it is able to find a person under an 8-meter layer of snow, mud or debris of a collapsed building.
Once the mountain rescue service conducted an experiment - on an area of 10,000 square meters the “victim” was buried in the snow to a depth of 2 meters. A twenty-man rescue team armed with avalanche probes searched for him for four hours, and the dog found it in twelve minutes.
Many are interested in the question - which breeds are the best rescue dogs? There are certain working qualities that a rescue dog must have. First of all, it is controllability, physical strength (needed to overcome obstacles), and, of course, excellent flair. Initially, she should have a loyal, non-aggressive reaction to people. In general, anger is a sign of cowardice, an able-bodied dog should be confident and calm. Also, when selecting candidates, attention is paid to the dog's ability to tolerate the climate in which it will have to work. Collecting statistics from all over the world, dog handlers have identified the five most capable dog breeds.
5th place went to the Doberman Pinschers. The emergence of this breed of dogs dates back to 1800, when there was an acute need for a protective dog, which, if necessary, would be able to attack the offender. Some people consider this breed to be stupid, but this judgment is erroneous. Dobermans need to be trained and educated, otherwise there is a very great chance that an uncontrollable dog will grow out of a funny little puppy, who will only do what he wants.
Dobermans are very active dogs that are capable of fighting for their master for a lifetime.
The Golden Retriever was in 4th place in the dog rating. He is very kind and gentle in nature, he treats children well. They are able to learn quickly and easily, literally understand the commands from the first time and literally grasp everything on the fly. They can often be seen in the service of the police, in rescue service, at customs and as guide dogs... Thanks to their patience, they can be good nannies for children and excellent companions for the elderly.
The honorable 3rd place went to the German Shepherd Dogs. German Shepherds are very intelligent and trainable, they can be used as guards, as well as bloodhounds or police officers. Representatives of this breed have also proven themselves well as pets.
The second position is taken by Poodles. They are capable not only of jumping and performing various tricks in the circus, but they can also be good observers and serve in the rescue service. Poodles swim well and are ready to rescue a drowning person. Of course, there are a lot of poodles, both small and large, beautiful and not so, but they are all excellent companions and guards.
Representatives of the Border Collie breed became champions in intellectual abilities among dogs. Cynologists of all countries of the world unanimously recognized this breed as the most intelligent. These dogs are real hard workers, they do not like to mess around, and are ready to work almost around the clock for the good of a person. They even say about the border collie, this dog lives in order to work.
They very easily remember the rules of behavior, easily learn commands, are friendly and just adore children. In general, this is a unique dog that can be widely used - from a guard dog to a nanny, or simply as a pet with good mental abilities.
Even very good innate qualities of a dog can only be fully manifested with proper education and initial training from puppyhood. The growth and development of the animal organism occurs more intensively in the spring-summer period.
Although raising a puppy (ensuring good growth and physical development) and education (the formation of a healthy nervous system and a certain type of behavior) are independent concepts, they are inextricably linked and cannot be carried out in isolation. In the process of normal development and vital activity of the organism, the physical and mental beginnings are closely connected. Practice shows that a strong nervous system and a balanced psyche cannot be expected from a physically poorly developed dog.
To the necessary qualities of a PSS dog, which should be developed from the very early age, relate:
- * interest and persistence in finding the source of a person's odor;
- * courage in overcoming natural barriers;
- * activity at work;
- * a sense of orientation in an unfamiliar area;
- * indifference to wild and domestic animals;
- * unpretentiousness to food and maintenance;
- * the ability to work at any time of the day, in severe weather conditions.
The general principles of training and education of a puppy are as follows:
- 1) what an adult dog should not do, the puppy should not be allowed;
- 2) this period is the most responsible because the "early experience" acquired in puppyhood affects the behavior and work of the dog throughout its life;
- 3) mistakes made by the trainer during growing up and upbringing are almost impossible to correct later;
- 4) you must not allow "idleness" and overload with classes. Constantly maintain and develop the dog's interest, passion for finding a person IZ - exercises for the search skill to give "not enough", to do stimulating intervals.
The search for a hidden or buried source of a person's smell (burial) should always and everywhere end with its finding. It is better if, at the very first lessons, the growing dog finds 1-2 difficult digits than a large number of simple ones. But if the dog cannot find them on its own, the trainer should help her with guidance or in another way. When found, the trainer encourages her much more than when performing any other technique. Only under these conditions does the dog develop interest and persistence in searching. If you do not find a burial place or find it too easy to find interest in search work disappears.
For the development of flair: during daily walks, release the dog from the leash; do not interfere with the sniffing of various objects, except for sewage; mask and bury aorting items.
Do a 20-30 minute cross every morning with your dog. During it, the dog is sent at least 20 times behind a far-thrown grappling object, which gives it the opportunity to run during this time a distance 5 times greater than the trainer can run. This is a great exercise for the whole body. In the future, the dog is taught not to bring the object, not to run with it, but, having given a voice, return to the trainer.
Take long walks at least once a week: in winter - on skis, in summer - with an overnight stay in the field. During walks, the dog makes high and long jumps, overcomes forest debris and other obstacles. She should do all this not under compulsion, but on the basis of a natural desire for movement, which is constantly stimulated and encouraged by the trainer. With this technique, the dog develops the activity and courage necessary for work. To harden the body, the dog must swim in any weather (only in a clean reservoir), spend the night in a snow hole in winter, and under a tent wing in summer.
Although the sense of orientation in the terrain in dogs is much stronger than that of humans, it, like any sense, is improved through exercise and training. To this end, you should constantly change the walking routes, take the dog with you on multi-day trips to new places with varied terrain.
All means of physical development and hardening of a young dog's body should be used so that there is no physical overload and hypothermia, which can cause various diseases. Care must be taken with mental stress. Overloads lead to a breakdown of nervous activity, neuroses. The methodology and technique of training a young dog according to OKD, odor sampling, and area search are generally accepted.
It is important both for the work and for the maintenance of the dog itself, teaching it not to show an aggressive attitude towards domestic and wild animals. It is necessary to teach this from puppyhood, since it is almost impossible to wean a dog with a "manifested" instinct to pursue a fleeing animal from this. By virtue of its instinct, the dog cannot not react at all to animals that are a strong odor and visual stimulus. It is enough that, sniffing at him at a distance, she immediately turned away from him and approached the trainer at the call.
The scheme of training a dog in this contrasting method on a long leash is as follows:
- 1) the dog is guided several times past and around a herd or a single animal (cow, goat) so that it gets used to the new smell and appearance of the animal;
- 2) approach him at a distance of 10-15 meters, stop and start playing with the dog. When a dog tries to get closer to animals, they call it to themselves, encourage it with a treat; if she does not obey, they pull on the leash;
- 3) approach the animals so much that they begin to move away. If the dog tries to chase, distract its attention with commands, pull it with a leash;
- 4) train the dog to calmly walk by and follow the receding animals until it can perform this technique without tugging on the leash.
The suppression of the pursuit of cats and hunting game is carried out by the same methods: distraction, physical influence, encouragement when approaching the trainer. In no case should a dog be punished after it, having run after the animal, independently returned to the trainer.
It is best to keep both growing and adult dogs in an open cage or in a fenced yard with an insulated booth. Such maintenance is very important in order not to pamper the dog and preserve its undercoat, without which it will not withstand prolonged work in the cold. Keeping dogs in an open-air cage is more rational not individually - one by one, but all together - in a team of 3-5 dogs. Such group content has the following advantages:
- 1. For the same plot size and net consumption for the enclosure, each dog receives 3-5 times more "living space".
- 2. Living together, they do not get bored, frolic, play (especially important for young people), get used to each other.
- 3. There is no problem of keeping a dog when the trainer is away from home for a long time - feeding and care is carried out by another team leader.
- 4. Feeding and grooming can be carried out alternately by one of the trainers.
- 5. Dogs do not need to be specially walked.
- 6. Puppies in a large enclosure receive excellent conditions for physical development and hardening.
- 7. The aviary can simultaneously serve as a training ground for young animals, for this purpose a boom, barriers and other projectiles are installed in it.
Inside the enclosure, food is prepared, food and equipment are stored in an insulated change house. For temporary isolation, each of the dogs can be placed in a compartment of the enclosure. This kind of "enclosure-group" type of keeping at the rate of 20 m 2 for each dog has proven itself in practice in all respects.
The dog's undercoat is preserved even if it is kept in an unheated part of the house or on a veranda or loggia. With a sufficiently long exercise and training of the dog in the cold season, the undercoat can be preserved even when kept in an ordinary apartment. This is facilitated by the location of its place in the coldest part of the apartment, but not in a draft. The dog's bedding should not be too warm - burlap is enough, under which, if the floor is cold, a wooden board is placed.
The feeding rules, sufficiently highlighted in the literature, for PSS dogs should be supplemented with the following: use natural food including raw meat on the bones - weekly, fresh vegetables - daily at least 10% of the feed ration, vegetable fats - not more than 25% of the total fat. Fodder concentrates, which are very easy to handle, should be used only for rescue operations and in other necessary cases. Feeding them constantly pampered the dog's digestive system, after which ordinary roughage is poorly eaten and absorbed.
In the morning after jogging, when the dog performs several exercises, he is given 2-3 dryers or a crouton to "wake up the stomach". Lunch after class - 40% of the daily ration, dinner - 60%. A good handler takes food at the same time as the dog, near or near, in order to see each other. The daily feeding rate is such that the bowl is cleanly licked after it, the well-fed dog would walk away from it without asking for a supplement. It is better if the dog is "thin", because being overweight, like in humans, leads to decreased performance and premature aging.
The PSS dog eats always and everywhere only from his bowl, the hands of the owner, his family members, and his assistant. The instinctive selection of food from the ground, which is difficult to overcome in some dogs, leads to a decrease in the quality of its search, since there is plenty of food in the ruins of the emergency zone. Eating any "appetizing", but contaminated with poisonous products leads to poisoning and death of the dog.
Rejection
To assess suitability adult dog to the PSS, the following techniques are used. Within a few days, the dog learns to flawlessly find an apparel disguised in grass or snow with the smell of its trainer. Then, on an area of 10 x 10 m, an object with the same smell is buried in the ground to a depth of half a shovel bayonet, in the snow - on a bayonet. A few meters away from it, in order to distract, they dig up the surface with a shovel (false digs). If the dog, after several attempts, cannot find the source of the smell, this indicates a defect in its sense - temporary or permanent.
To test the hearing at a distance of 5-10 m from the dog, the trainer, approaching and moving away, utters its nickname several times in a whisper. These simplified tests in the field can detect the most severe defects in scent and hearing and in no way give them an accurate assessment of any points.
The motor and vestibular apparatus of the dog is checked during its running, jumping and walking on a log. Often due to any internal factors(dog's ill health) or external (distracting stimuli) it may not show its true abilities. If, when checking the dog, the trainer has similar suspicions, after 3-4 days they make a second check in a changed environment - place, time of day, weather conditions, etc.
Rejection based on the breed principle is not carried out. A good "mongrel" for work is better than thoroughbreds with pedigrees and medals.
Age and service
The highest skill, close to the wisdom of both man and dog, comes only in adulthood. Only in adulthood can a PSS dog perform its difficult work, even with some physical weakening of the body. Her work does not require great strength and speed of reaction, as in protective and guard services. PSS is closer to such "intelligent" services as the work of cops, herding dogs. Therefore, smart and skillful handlers extend the lifespan of their dogs to 12 years or more.
Interest in life, work done creates mental health both in humans and animals.
Major state, mood keep it on long years... Keeping a PSS dog on a leash, a block, which is quite normal for dogs of other services, is completely unacceptable. Anger, aggressive behavior ages the sensitive psyche rescue dog... The transfer of an adult dog from hand to hand, purchase and sale destroy the complex psychic world of the PSS dog.
Trainer requirements
The most important quality of a trainer is the ability to observe the constantly changing environment: the strength and direction of the wind; temperature and humidity; the presence and movement of strangers, pets, transport in the area of study with the dog; in a word, behind everything that interferes with studies - smell, sound, visual distracting stimuli. All this should not escape his attentive gaze, all this is necessary for the correct assessment of the situation and the appropriate control of the dog. The trainer should be a kind of tracker and scout, to show maximum attention to the behavior of the dog. In all classes and trainings, he must be self-possessed, patient and persistent in achieving his goal.
The trainer and helper must have sufficient theoretical training in the field of physiology, psychology, ethology, methodology and technique of training dogs. They must be of high moral character. Deception of a dog, rudeness, lack of will and spine are incompatible with the work of education, training and training. Also incompatible with this work are the two extremes of communicating with the dog - only "the language of commands" or humanizing the dog, to use words with it. In their coordinated work, the methodology - the sequence of introducing and practicing techniques, their duration and the norms of the PSS course - are always inseparable from the technique - the ability in each specific case to influence the dog when developing the necessary skills so that they are developed quickly and held firmly.
Courage, resourcefulness, decisiveness, self-control in the training of dogs - the obligatory qualities of a trainer and an assistant are effective only with love for their four-legged friend, love for their joint noble cause.
The psychogenic impact in the emergency area on people with physical injuries, only mental ones and those who arrived after a disaster (rescuers, workers of other services) is different. The psyche of the victims of the 2nd group is disturbed more than others. They experience, in addition to the depressing contemplation of crippled people, striking destruction, a break with the outside world, with life itself. There is no water, lighting, telephone, radio, television, etc. The absence of certain information about the disaster that has happened, its continuation or termination is traumatic for the psyche. In predictable disasters, that is, when people learn in advance about the reality of a disaster by radio, animal behavior or from other sources, various types of reactions are manifested in response to this, up to the breakdown of nervous activity, neuroses.
The most common reactions of the psyche in the latter case are: fear, confusion, disorderly actions, loss of orientation, misunderstanding of the situation, euphoria, and the spread of panic. In contrast, people with a different type of nervous activity show lethargy, passivity, indifference, a state of stunnedness and numbness.
This "general psychic atmosphere" prevailing in the emergency zone affects both the handlers and the dogs.
Dog equipment and place of employment
The dog's special equipment includes a standard harness, lined with red fabric, with pockets with fasteners. It serves as a safety belt, to which a safety rope is fastened in dangerous places. This harness allows you to see the dog on any terrain from a long distance; deliver notes, medicines, other small items. With its help, towing of a skier, a sled with a load is carried out.
A long nylon leash, 5-6 mm thick, red, in addition to its main purpose, is used as an avalanche cord, as well as for various auxiliary purposes (insurance, transportation). Special stockings - "shoe covers" with holes for claws serve to protect paws in areas clogged with sharp objects, hard crust, mountain glacier.
In training sessions, each trainer has the following in his bag:
- * 3 plastic bags marked with large numbers, where hairpins of standard volume (undershirt, pants) with various smells are strictly fixed; 1st package - the smell of a dog trainer, 2nd package - the smell of a member of his family or an assistant, 3rd package - the smell of a person unfamiliar to the dog;
- * a bag with red patches for marking the area and a centimeter oilcloth tape for precise definition burial depth;
- * package with a treat for food rewards for the dog.
These bags are necessary to preserve the odor of the cask, to prevent contamination with other odors and for the purpose of hygiene. If there is no special tweezers, you can use a wooden flyer to take out and remove the buries in the bags. It is also advisable to have a cellophane film or an old raincoat that protects from wet snow, soil when burying extras in the classroom. For burying burrows and extras, ordinary bayonet and shovels are quite suitable.
The place for specialty classes, in contrast to the training ground, where only a few initial classes can be held, is called the training ground. This is a terrain with rugged terrain, islets of shrubs, groups of trees - all this makes it easier to camouflage and bury odor sources, and brings the situation closer to reality. The dense forest interferes with the observation of the actions of the dog and the trainer, the natural movement of air. The parade ground must have a shelter from which the burials made on it are not visible.
In the first half of the training course, a 30x30 m area is allocated for training each dog.From the second half of the course, its size increases to 70x70 m. So that no odors are transferred from one area to another, they are all arranged in a chain across the main wind direction. Thus, the size of the parade ground depends on the number of dogs trained on it and, accordingly, the number of sites. The training group should have several parade grounds, since it is impossible to conduct classes on the same (taking into account the exchange of sites between calculations) more than 3 times in a row. Dogs develop the habit of looking only in a familiar area, and besides, its area is polluted with distracting odors.
The training ground must meet the following requirements:
- 1) on initial training When searching, he should not be influenced by distractions that interfere with the development of the initial skill in the dog. These include: odor - various kinds of smoke, exhaust gases from cars, household waste, etc .; sound - noise from vehicles, railroad, people and pets; visual - any moving objects that fall into the dog's field of vision;
- 2) snow and soil should not be clogged with sharp objects (glass, iron scraps, etc.), chemicals (mineral fertilizers, industrial waste);
- 3) in mountainous areas, the slopes must be safe against rockfalls, mudflows and avalanches.
Transportation of dogs to their destination is the most important link in the complex of every rescue mission. It is carried out as quickly as possible without harming the dogs.
Delivery of a dog by car, plane - this is the strongest sound, olfactory, visual irritation, load on the vestibular apparatus, that is, an overload of all receptors, the entire neuropsychic system. It will simply put an unprepared dog out of action, it will not be able to work. Therefore, PSS dogs must be gradually accustomed to these stimuli, during transportation to observe certain preventive measures. Self-propelled dog delivery is the easiest, cheapest and most reliable option if the distance does not exceed 10 km. A trained dog does not get tired after such a transition, but before the start it should be given a 10-minute break.
When delivered by road, the dog's sense of smell can be disabled by exhaust gases, the smell of liquid fuel. In the presence of these harmful gases, the dog begins to breathe rapidly, sneeze, strive for a window or crack, from where clean air enters the cabin. The simplest way avoid poisoning - let the dog stick his nose out the window. The same should be done when transporting by helicopter, where the dog, in addition, is exposed to a strong sound stimulus. The noise of propellers and turbines in air delivery is more affected during embarkation and disembarkation than in the cabin of an aircraft, where dogs tend to behave calmly. For strong sound stimuli, the dog should be prepared in advance, through gradual training. When excited or oppressed and cowardly, the dog should be distracted by playing, soothing tone, affection and delicacy.
The greatest danger for a dog is not the stay in any form of transport itself, but approaches and waiting at stations and train stations (the possibility of poisoning the dog by the exhaust gases of cars).
When developing a dog's PSS skills, trainers often make the following mistakes:
- 1. Conducting initial search sessions in an area heavily contaminated with distracting odors, which makes it difficult to develop the skill.
- 2. A long session with a dog on the same site, as a result of which she, having got used to it, is poorly oriented and makes a search on a new, unfamiliar to her.
- 3. The same type of burial of the assistant and objects - at the same distance from each other, in the same places in the training area.
- 4. Frequent pointing of the dog to the source of the smell, that is, unnecessary hints, which are necessary only in the first lessons.
- 5. Excessive restraint of the dog by the leash to maintain the correct zigzags of the "shuttle" search. Frequent prodding of the dog and distrust of its instinct.
- 6. The use of the same helper and his things in the classroom, as a result of which the dog gets used to looking only for this familiar smell.
- 7. Burying as things not worn underwear of assistants or used in the classroom for a long time and lost its smell.
- 8. Violation of the sequence of giving commands when developing a complex search skill "Seek - dig - voice - lead".
Perhaps, in a global sense, rescuers do not create history. But they, undoubtedly, are part of it, and affect the development of mankind. Irreplaceable, always loyal, intelligent and selfless dogs - one of the best gifts that Nature has given us. Saving even one child is a feat. And when dozens, hundreds of lives have been saved? In each big city there are monuments to rescue dogs; in every major city there are people whose destinies once depended on a wet leather nose. Thank you, amazing and irreplaceable search and rescue guardians of human lives!
dog rescue training content
Bibliography
- 1. Korytin S.A. Orientation in dogs and other animals // Service Dog Club. M., 1984.
- 2. Bergman E. Behavior of dogs. M., 1986.
- 3. Karpov V.K. On some factors affecting the sense of smell of service dogs // Club of service dogs. M., 1987.
- 4. Usov M.I. Training of dogs for the search and rescue service // All about the dog. M., 1992.
- 5. Usov M.I. Workout four-legged rescuers// Military knowledge. 1985. No. 11.
- 6.http: //vashipitomcy.ru/publ/sobaki/interesnoe/sobaki_spasateli_poslednjaja_nadezhda_v_strashnyj_mig/24-1-0-334
It is unlikely that in the history of mankind there will ever appear a more devoted creature than a dog. And at the present time, when an unpleasant, and maybe even tragic event can happen in everyone's life, our four-legged friends come to our aid.
Thanks to their dedication and dedication, the concept of "service dogs" appeared in human everyday life. They are ready to serve us to their last step, to exhaustion, to their dying breath, forgetting about everything in this service. They help everywhere: whether it is the search for lost wanderers during a snowstorm, the search for those doomed to certain death under the rubble (snow or after a catastrophe) or salvation on the water - all this is within the power of our sometimes defenseless comrades. Where do they get their strength to overcome such difficult trials?
Finding the Lost in the Storm
The very first rescue dogs, which began their labor activity several centuries ago, were looking for travelers lost in a storm. Surely you have ever seen pictures of large shaggy dogs with a barrel around their necks. Service dogs Due to their endurance and excellent physical qualities, the St. Bernard breeds were found and warmed with a strong drink brought in a barrel, and then they brought lost travelers to the people. The most famous of these rescuers was St. Bernard Barry, to whom a monument was even erected in the Parisian cemetery. During his life, the dog saved forty people, and the forty-first rescued, confusing him with a bear (the dog lay down to warm the victim with his body), stabbed him. The dog survived, but he could no longer save anyone.
Finding people under the rubble
Distinguishing the smell of a person from the mass of other smells under the debris a meter high is considered the most difficult job. But our loyal friends are coping with this task as well. Everyone knows the events of September 11, 2001 in the United States, but how many people know about such heroes who helped save and saved the very lives of people. For example, the guide dog Dorado rescued its blind master, computer scientist Omar Eduardo Rivera. After the plane crashed into the tower, Rivera unhooked the leash and gave the dog the command to leave, wanting to save at least the dog. The crowd of fleeing people carried the Labrador several floors below, but after a while the owner felt his pet poke his nose at his legs. With the help of a dog and a colleague, the man went out into the street, after which the building collapsed. Rivera considers herself to owe her life to a devoted dog.
Along with the Labrador Dorado, that day, 12 hours a day, another tailed worker worked at the scene of the tragedy - a service dog named Brittany. As part of the Texas Ground Zero search and rescue squad, the two-year-old dog helped save the lives of people in trouble.
Rescue of the drowning
As they say, the salvation of drowning people is the work of the drowning people themselves, of course, but even here we can rely on our faithful four-legged comrades. The handsome Newfoundlands have excellent qualities for this service. These dogs are physically strong, they are not afraid of any waves, their powerful tail like a rudder helps to accurately choose the direction, and their long hair with a dense waterproof undercoat makes it possible to work in icy water. What can I say, even if Napoleon was once saved by Newfoundland.
Service dogs help us at every step, in critical moments they are simply irreplaceable. And the effort it takes to train a rescue dog is worth it. One trained dog saves the labor of dozens of people.
