Dogs are friends and faithful assistants person for many years. They perform many functions: nanny dogs, guide dogs, service dogs, and of course, rescue dogs.
Speaking about the latter, one immediately imagines a deathly blue sky in the mountains, and a dazzling - White snow. There, under the snow, there is a man. And who can find him, who will help? A large white and red St. Bernard or a fast and agile German Shepherd? Or maybe a cheerful and affectionate Labrador, or an intelligent, smart spaniel? In a word, a dog whose mission is to save people, a dog proudly called a “rescuer”.
Dedicated to Saint Bernards...
“St. Bernards, you know, don’t live long. One is loved in life, and only to him. And then together with him they go to Heaven...” - lines from Diana Arbenina’s song perfectly characterize this breed.
Good-natured, gigantic-sized “teddy bears” are all-rounders for saving people in the mountains. The breed received its name in honor of the dangerous mountain pass Grand Saint Bernard, located in Switzerland. In the area of the pass there was a monastery where the inhabitants lived, and with them dogs. There was also a steep and dangerous road, at an altitude of almost 2500 meters above the ground. The weather conditions of those places were known for frequent snowstorms, therefore, those unfortunate travelers who were forced to go this road had a hard time. Many lost their way and died. The monks provided shelter to travelers, and their four-legged assistants found spotted people, dug them out, and helped them get to the monastery. If the person was so weak that he could not do this on his own, the St. Bernards returned to the monastery and brought help to the victims.
The most famous four-legged rescuer is the St. Bernard named Barry der Menschenretter, or simply Old Barry (1800 - 1814). Over the twelve years of his work, the dog saved more than forty people. One of the people he saved was a little boy.
Barry found a freezing child in an ice cave, he had already lost consciousness. The dog warmed him up and then dragged him along the ground to the monastery. When the child came to his senses, he was able to climb onto the St. Bernard's back. Barry took the injured baby to the monastery. The legendary four-legged rescuer died of old age in Bern. To this day, the stuffed dog is in the Berne Museum of Natural History.
Rescuers of the Second World War
Dogs made a huge contribution to saving human lives during the war. On the account of animals who were in service in Soviet army, over 600 thousand wounded soldiers rescued from the battlefield. The orderly dogs had a stable psyche, they were not afraid of shots, worked under fire and during explosions, and found victims in fog, smoke, and at night. In general, when people could not come to the aid of their comrades, dogs did it. They carefully searched the area, finding wounded soldiers, notified their guides about this (with the help of a diarrhea - a pointer), and brought orderlies to the victims. The most famous orderly was a male German shepherd named Mukhtar. He saved about 400 wounded from the battlefield, including the shepherd’s guide, Corporal Zorin, who was shell-shocked from a bomb explosion.
A dog is a rescuer, what should it be?
For such dogs, a kilometer-long pedigree or a special breed is not important. Rescuers can be German shepherds, St. Bernards, Labradors, Newfoundlands and even collies. A four-legged rescuer must have a strong, stable psyche, a keen sense of smell, developed hearing and vision. To work in the mountains, a thick coat is required. Any rescue dog is strong and resilient, because its work is very hard and selfless. Under no circumstances should the dog show anger or aggression towards people and other animals. An ideal dog for search and rescue activities would be a dog of medium height (45-55cm), dry body type, with a pronounced indicative search type of behavior. Each animal has its own positive and negative qualities, so it is better not to look for an outstanding, ideal “ready-made” dog - a searcher or rescuer, but to engage your puppy in serious, professional training in this type of activity.
In the article I will consider best breeds rescue dogs. I’ll tell you about the size and character of each breed, in which emergency situations they have found their application.
Dogs - best friends, they protect territories, become companions to lonely people, and save lives.
Best Rescue Dog Breeds
Breeds of rescue dogs were bred specifically for search purposes and to protect people in extreme situations or natural disasters. Four-legged animals cope with assigned tasks faster, thanks to their sensitive sense of smell. The dog senses a person in trouble under a large thickness of snow, debris from natural disasters, and is rescued from the water. Let's take a closer look at the different breeds of rescue dogs.
Labrador
Large in size, height at the withers is 53-61 cm, weight 25-36 kg. They are friendly, playful, patient, reliable, require constant attention from the owner, and are easy to train. Not suitable for security, suitable for people with an active lifestyle.
Labradors are trained in a playful way; they perform all the exercises with pleasure.
The price of a puppy of this breed will be 20,000 – 40,000 rubles.
Retrievers often participate in rescue operations in water, their swimming speed is 5 km/h. They help rescue people from rubble after explosions, earthquakes, floods and other accidents. Can be used as guide dogs for people with disabilities. To help during disasters, special training and training is required: from simple obedience commands to acting out disaster scenarios.
Large in size, height at the withers is 66-71 cm, weight reaches 70 kg. Newfoundlands are patient, calm, obedient, loyal, easy to train, and suitable for families with children. Phlegmatic by nature, not prone to movement, but happy to go for a walk with the owner.
They are sensitive to comments, criticism and harshness of the owner, train them with affection, then the process will be more effective.
The price for a puppy of this breed will be 40,000 – 75,000 rubles.
They are used to rescue people on the water; it is not for nothing that they are called “divers”; they are distinguished by their friendliness, intelligence, and endurance. The Newfoundland does not freeze in water and is resistant to cold thanks to its water-repellent double coat. The animal has a special structure of ears, eyes, third eyelid, membranes between the fingers, which helps it swim long distances and dive deep under water. The survival instinct is inherent in nature; they rush into the water at the first sign of a person drowning.
Large in size, height at the withers 61-70 cm, weight 50-91 kg. They are distinguished by endurance, fearlessness, diligence and good learning ability. Saint Bernards are calm, kind, loyal, non-aggressive, have good physical strength, and do not like loneliness. Families who do not have time to spend with a pet and are good with children and look after them should not get one.
The price for a puppy of this breed will be 15,000 – 45,000 rubles.
Most often used to rescue people in the mountains, in avalanches and in water. Scientists have found that representatives of this breed sense a snowstorm 40 minutes before it begins. At a great distance they can smell people under thick snow, they can single-handedly dig a way to them, pull them to the surface and bring them to their senses.
Large in size, height at the withers 55-65 cm, body weight 22-40 kg. balanced, confident, has a good disposition, attentive, obedient, and has protective qualities. Suitable for people with a strong character; the animal requires constant physical activity, training and socialization are required.
The price of a German puppy will be 20,000 – 50,000 rubles.
Helping people is in the German Shepherd's blood; they are used to save people in the mountains, under landslides, earthquakes and explosions, and in reservoirs. Thanks to its instincts, the shepherd quickly finds the victims and pulls them out.
A large dog with well-developed muscles, height at the withers is 63-72 cm, body weight is 32-45 kg. intelligent, vigilant, obedient, self-confident, energetic, fearless, loyal, dexterous and resilient. They have a quick reaction and speed of completing tasks, while another dog is busy with one exercise, the Doberman will do five.
The price of a Doberman puppy will be 15,000 – 45,000 rubles.
Suitable for a self-confident owner with a strong character and an active lifestyle, who gets along well with children. This breed requires socialization and proper training; without this, it can grow up angry and unbalanced.
A keen sense of smell helps the Doberman to find people in extreme situations and pull them out of the rubble. This breed can be a guide to the blind.
German large breed dogs, height at the withers 65-80 cm, weight 45-78 kg. loyal, devoted, intelligent, calm, have protective qualities with a formidable appearance and a gentle character. They are non-aggressive, try to please the owner, strive to take the position of a subordinate in the family, and are easy to train. Suitable for a family with children, with whom he gets along well and allows him to do whatever he wants with him.
The price for a Leonberger puppy is 30,000 – 50,000 rubles.
The dog is an excellent swimmer and is used as a lifeguard on ponds. It takes a lot of effort and practice to quickly swim to a drowning person, save him and pull him to shore.
Or Malinois is a medium-sized dog, whose height at the withers is 58-62 cm, weight 20-30 kg. Cautious, responsible, energetic, does not show aggression, is always ready for action, and has watchdog qualities. Takes care of children, is not averse to playing with them, and is suitable for owners with an active lifestyle. Without physical activity, property will begin to deteriorate.
Price per puppy Belgian Shepherd will be 15,000 - 40,000 rubles.
Dogs learn through play; they respond well to training; all attention is focused on the owner.
Malinois work in the mountains, rescuing people from the depths of snow, just like St. Bernards. Thanks to their grace and dexterity, animals find people under rubble, which helps save their lives faster.
The dog is large in size, height at withers 57-68 cm, body weight 27-32 kg. By temperament they are balanced, manageable, courageous, fast, smart, loyal, with developed hunting instincts. The companion dog gets along well with children; commands are learned quickly in the form of a game.
The average price for a puppy will be 25,000 rubles.
Found its application in the coast guard to rescue drowning people from the water. They deftly and quickly reach, rescue and deliver to a safe place.
Four-legged rescuers must be obedient, flexible, intelligent, resilient, have a strong constitution and be well socialized in society. Every rescue dog has a natural sense of smell and stamina, but efficient work specialized training is required. The animal must find people in the ruins, give a voice, inform the guide, and then lead a rescue team to the place with the victims. Hard work requires quick completion, because human life depends on it.
By choosing one of the rescue dog breeds as a pet, you will gain true friend, a caring nanny for children and an active sports partner.
Everything you need to know
WOLMAR
Unfortunately, modern reality is such that the dynamics of growth of man-made disasters and the frequency of terrorist attacks are becoming alarming. In these conditions, the work of search and rescue services (SRS), created for the purpose of timely searching for victims and providing them with assistance, is extremely important. Along with people, specially trained and trained dogs serve as part of rescue teams.
In order to most vividly imagine what a search dog should be like, rescue service, it is enough to recall the already textbook story of a shepherd dog named Ajax. In 1954, in the Dachstein mountains, an avalanche covered a group of schoolchildren led by a teacher. The dog worked for four days without rest, one after another, rescuing people from under the thickness of compacted snow. She dug and clawed, even frostbitten her paws, until she collapsed from exhaustion. When rescuers took Ajax to the base to bandage him, it was impossible to keep the dog in place - he was rushing to the search site. With frostbitten paws, the dog dug out another child in the snow.
Necessary qualities of dogs for search and rescue services
Performing such complex and exhausting work is only possible if the dog has excellent natural abilities, which are developed and improved by special professional training of dogs. To work in the PSS, a dog must have excellent hearing, keen sense of smell, endurance and remarkable strength.
It is advisable that it be no higher than 45-50 cm, which will make it easier to transport and move in hard-to-reach places. A dog for PSS must have a strong and balanced character, be well trained and trust people. Even strangers and animals should not cause her aggression. Lethargic or, conversely, overly excitable animals are unsuitable for rescue work.
Despite the fact that PSS is a rather complex job, it does not require the selection of dogs of special breeds with special pedigrees. Experience shows that huskies, German shepherds, collies, St. Bernards, and mixed breeds do a good job. As for age, not only a puppy is suitable for training, but also a well-developed dog up to two years of age.
Taking into account the specifics of the work, trainers use both more hardy and strong males and attentive and cautious females. Not age, breed and gender, but competent preparation animals and proper care they influence the final result.
Initial dog training
Dog training includes proper rearing (growth, physical development) and consistent education (formation of behavior and nervous system). Both concepts are inextricably linked and are mandatory. One cannot expect a balanced psyche and a strong nervous system from a physically undeveloped dog.
That's why with early age, along with the unpretentiousness to food and vitamins for service dogs WOLMAR and the ability to work in difficult weather conditions, rescue dogs develop courage and interest in searching, perseverance in achieving goals. This is why it is important that training sessions on finding the source of an odor always end with finding it. Otherwise, interest in search work will be reduced or disappear altogether.Diseases and recommendations for the Rottweiler
However, this does not mean that you should make the animal’s task easier by making too simple digs. From the very first lessons, the dog should be focused on difficulties in work, which means that it is preferable if it finds a couple of difficult holes than many simple ones. If the animal does not cope with the task, the trainer can gradually narrow the search circle, helping his pet. If successful, the trainer encourages the dog more actively.
Dog training system
It is recommended to start every morning with a half-hour cross-country run to train endurance and strength. During daily walks, the dog is let off the leash, allowing him to sniff objects freely. It is also necessary to train her instincts by sending her for far-thrown retrieval items.
Once a week, the animal needs a long walk with increased physical activity: jumping, overcoming obstacles, swimming. To harden in winter, they practice spending the night in a snow hole.
In order to develop the ability to navigate the terrain, you should often change your walking route and take your dog on long hikes in areas with different types of terrain. Loads should be dosed and the animal hardened gradually, avoiding sudden hypothermia. You also need to be careful with the dog’s psyche, without overloading it.
If the task is successfully completed, the trainer should reward the animal with treats, expressions of joy and affection, creating motivation for correct behavior from puppyhood.Diseases and recommendations for beagles
Training methodology for search and rescue services
When teaching a dog to select an item by smell, you should ensure that it does not bring the found item to the trainer, but only gives a voice. This is extremely important in a real situation: when the dog finds the victim's belongings, it should not leave the area due to the threat of losing it.
Having barked about the find, the dog continues to sniff everything around, trying to find the person himself. You can achieve correct behavior in the following way: as soon as the dog finds the retrieving object, the trainer runs up to it, gives the command to sit and waves the found object in front of it, provoking barking.
To search for a victim, dogs develop the skill of zigzag examination of the area and finding two burrows with the scent of a helper. The conditioned stimulus in this case is the trainer’s command “Look!” and a characteristic hand gesture in the direction of the search. An auxiliary stimulus is the command “Forward!”.
Treats, affection and the trainer's expression of joy are unconditional stimuli for developing a skill. The shuttle method allows you to use the head wind to search for an object from different angles, making it easier to catch the smell. In addition to the shuttle search, such search methods as “fan” and “spiral” are used. As the dog masters one or another method, the training becomes more complicated, and the depth of burying a person and objects increases. The dog learns to find a stranger without first being familiar with his scent. In parallel with training search skills accustom to loud sounds, the smell of smoke and blood, transportation by various modes of transport.
Dog keeping
It is better to keep dogs in an open fenced enclosure with insulated booths. This way the animals will be hardened, they will retain their undercoat, which you cannot do without when working in the cold. It is more rational to keep not one, but 3-5 dogs in an enclosure. This method has the following advantages:
More space for every dog.
Animals don't get bored playing together.
Ease of care for trainers.
Conditions for physical development and hardening.
When keeping a house, the dog is given an unheated room or veranda, but without a draft. Burlap with a wooden shield underneath is suitable as bedding. If training in winter time will be quite frequent, dogs retain their undercoat even at home.Diseases and recommendations for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Equipment
Careful equipment is a necessary condition proper organization training sessions on the PSS course. For the coach, it consists of light, comfortable clothing and shoes made of waterproof material, over which is worn a red vest with the SPSS emblem. This form makes it possible to distinguish the trainer from other workers, and for the dog it is a conditioned stimulus in preparation for the search, activating the animal.
The dog's equipment consists of a standard harness with pockets with clasps, lined with red fabric. It serves as a belt for attaching a safety rope, allows you to see the dog against any background, and serves as a container for delivering notes and medications. In addition to the harness, the kit includes a long red leash. With this equipment, the dog can tow a skier or a loaded sled. Special shoe covers protect the dog's paws from cuts and wounds.
Dog certification
The training course for any PSS dog ends with a control session. This is a serious test for both the coach and his student. The commission assigns marks for the implementation of each technique. Dogs take this exam every year to obtain permission to participate in rescue work. Certification reveals the strengths and weaknesses of dogs and evaluates them search qualities, enriches the experience of trainers and their charges.
WATER RESCUE SERVICE
Published in Vienna in 1994
These rules have been adopted by the international organization IRO (International Recsue Dog Organization). The IRO unites national organizations and clubs whose members are amateur dog breeders who volunteer to train their dogs for various types of rescue services. Dogs that have undergone special training work as guides for the blind, together with mountain rescue teams they come to the aid of travelers buried in avalanches, and search for people buried under the rubble - victims of earthquakes, fires and other disasters.
IRO also unites clubs that train water rescue dogs. If other rescue services use dogs of different breeds and mongrel ones, then for water rescue almost one breed is used - Newfoundland. This is not only a tribute to a centuries-old tradition, but also the result of worldwide recognition of the unique working qualities of four-legged swimmers.
Water rescue training includes four levels of difficulty. Training begins at the bottom level and ends with passing tests.
Water rescue dog tests (RH-W) can be passed sequentially, according to the course of each subsequent stage, but not earlier than 26 days after the next test, provided the dog reaches the required age.
Age of dogs required to pass the RH-W test
1st stage (A) -- 15 months
2nd stage (B) -- 24 months
3rd stage (C) -- 36 months
Stage 4 (D) -- 37 months
During the test, the trainer can perform with several dogs in succession. A dog can only be controlled by one trainer. The trainer gives short commands to the dog (commands can be given in any language). It is allowed to pronounce the dog's name along with the command.
Bitches in heat are allowed to take the test, but must be isolated from other dogs and are tested last.
Dogs that fail the test are allowed to retake the test after a minimum of six days.
Sick dogs and suspected carriers of infection are removed from testing.
Before the start of the tests and during them, the judge observes the behavior of each dog. He must record any shortcomings he notices in his grade book.
Deviations from normal behavior are considered:
insufficient resistance of the dog to external influences;
inability to cope with challenging testing conditions such as long periods of work, multiple dogs working together, extreme heat or cold, loud noise, etc.;
weakness of the nervous system and associated aggressiveness, malice and associated cowardice, and the like.
Each trainer must have a test book with him, which he hands over to the judge before the start of the test. The instructor writes it down in a book and the judge signs the test results. Test results are expressed in grades and points received for each exercise. In the final calculation of individual scores to determine the score for each individual exercise, fractional numbers are rounded up.
Number of points required for award
ratings, and their percentage expression
RH-W Stages A, B, C, D
Scores: Number of points 300 100%
excellent 300--286 more than 95%
very good 285-270 95-90%
good 269-240 89-80%
satisfactory 239--210 79--70%
not enough 209--110 69--36%
unsatisfactory 109--0 35--0%
The test is considered passed if the dog scores at least 70% of the possible points in each individual exercise.
The test results are entered into an evaluation sheet, which is filled out in four copies. The original is given to the trainer along with the record book.
Copies are sent to:
referent of the national rescue dog training organization;
to a national organization;
trial judge.
Tests may be administered by licensed judges. One judge has the right to judge no more than 30 dogs per day. The judge cannot evaluate the performance of his dog. Overhead costs for judging are determined by the national organization. The judge's decision is final.
The safety of people and dogs must be guaranteed during testing.
Testing dogs for water rescue service.
Stages A, B, C, D(RH-W)
Obedience
The highest score is 50 points.
Moving nearby on a leash 5 points.
Free following next to the trainer
with turns and passage through a group of moving
people, consisting of at least four people 10 points.
The command “Sit!” 5 points.
The command “Lie down!” with a call to the trainer 5 points.
Command "Stop!" with a call to the trainer 5 points.
Importation on land 5 points.
Team "Forward!" 5 points.
Exercising on the command “Lie down!”
(checked individually or in a group) 10 points.
Requirements for performing techniques
At the discretion of the judge, obedience trials may be conducted individually or in a group of a maximum of three dogs. The dog must obey commands quickly and willingly.
To points 1 and 2
Moving side by side on a leash and freely following the trainer is carried out with turns to the right, left, in a circle, as well as changing the pace of movement (slow, normal walking and running). At the direction of the judge, the trainer and his dog walk through the group of people, making at least one stop. People in a group move in different directions. While leading the dog on a leash, the trainer unfastens the leash during the last stop and continues moving. The trainer can call the dog and give commands only at the start and at the moment of changing the pace of movement. During movement, the dog's shoulder is constantly located at the trainer's left knee. For running ahead, lagging behind, deviations of the dog to the sides, as well as uncertain execution of turns by the trainer, points are deducted. Only a dog that is indifferent to distracting external stimuli can receive the highest rating. Aggressive and cowardly dogs are excluded from testing.
To point 3
The trainer leaves the starting point with the dog walking next to him without a leash at his left leg. After walking 10 steps, he gives a command, according to which the dog must quickly sit down, while the trainer follows forward, without turning around or slowing down the pace of movement. After walking 30 steps, the trainer stops and turns to face the dog. At the judge’s signal, the trainer approaches the dog and takes the starting position.
To point 4
The trainer leaves the starting point, the dog moves without a leash at his left leg. After 10 steps, at the command of the trainer, the dog must quickly lie down, while the trainer follows forward, without turning around or slowing down the pace of movement. After walking 30 steps in the same direction, the trainer stops and turns to face the dog. At the judge's signal, the trainer calls the dog to him. The dog must approach willingly and quickly and sit in front of the handler. Then, on command, the dog takes the starting position.
To point 5
The trainer leaves the starting point, the dog moves without a leash at his left leg. After 10 steps, at the command of the trainer, the dog must quickly stop and remain standing in place, and the trainer follows forward, without turning around or slowing down the pace of movement. After walking another 30 steps, the trainer stops and turns to face the dog. If the dog tries to leave the place, points are deducted. At the judge's signal, the trainer calls the dog to him. The dog must approach willingly and quickly and sit in front of the handler. Then, on command, the dog takes the starting position.
To point 6
Importing an object. A dog sitting without a leash next to the trainer must, at the trainer’s command, quickly run up to an object thrown by him at approximately a distance of 10 m, take the object and quickly bring it to the trainer. The dog must come close to the trainer, sit in front of him, hold the object in his teeth for several seconds and, on command, give it to the trainer. Then, on command, the dog takes a place next to the trainer. During the entire time the dog brings and serves the object, the trainer does not leave the starting position.
To point 7
At the judge’s signal, the trainer with the dog following next to him without a leash walks several steps in a certain direction. With a directing hand gesture, the trainer sends the dog forward, while he himself remains standing.
The dog must quickly cover approximately 40 steps in the indicated direction, after which, at the command of the trainer, it immediately lies down. At the direction of the judge, the trainer calls the dog to him, stands to the right of it and the dog, on command, takes the starting position.
To point 8
Before the next dog goes to the start, the trainer puts his dog down with a command, without leaving any object near it. Remaining in the dog's field of vision, the trainer moves away from it about 40 steps, turns to face the dog and remains standing motionless. The dog must lie quietly, without any influence from the trainer, all the time while the other dog is performing exercises 1-7. When testing endurance in a group, distracting influences are applied to the dog. During the 2nd exercise, the trainer joins a group of moving people, after which he independently returns to his previous place. At the judge’s signal, the trainer approaches the dog, stands to its right, and the dog, on command, takes its starting position. After this, the trainer takes her on a leash.
Stage A(RH-WA)
Stage A consists of the following exercises:
2. Importation from the water
3. Obedience 50 points
General rules
Test rules
Required participants:
judge, shore instructor, motorboat driver.
Required equipment:
1 motor boat, 1 buoy, 2 retrieval items (pieces of floating boat rope with a diameter of 5 cm and a length of 30 cm).
Swimming 200 m
The trainer and the dog get into the boat, which sets off and stops 200 m from the shore. Having given the command, the trainer orders the dog to jump into the water. It is allowed to provide assistance to the dog. The boat is heading towards the shore. The dog should calmly swim to the shore. The trainer can encourage the dog with commands and gestures. The dog should not show signs of fear or fatigue. This exercise evaluates her swimming ability.
Fetching from the water
1. The retrieval object is thrown from the shore. The trainer throws a floating object from the shore into the water at a distance of at least 15 m. After making sure that the object lies calmly on the surface of the water, the trainer sends the dog after it. The dog must swim to the object, take it and deliver it to the trainer along the shortest route. A dog can release an object from its teeth only at the command of the trainer.
2. The retrieving object is thrown from the boat, the dog starts from the shore. The trainer with the dog is in the starting position on the shore. The retrieval object is thrown in a direction parallel to the shore from a boat that is approximately 25 m from the shore. After making sure that the object lies quietly on the surface of the water, the trainer sends a dog after it. The dog must swim to the object, pick it up and deliver it to the trainer along the shortest route. A dog can release an object from its teeth only at the command of the trainer. Two attempts are allowed.
After pronouncing the command, it is allowed to make a gesture that attracts the dog’s attention.
Obedience (see above) - 50 points.
Stage B (RH-W B)
Stage B consists of the following exercises:
1. Swimming distance 100 points
2. Working in water
(The minimum acceptable score is 75 points.
If you try again, 10% will be deducted.) 150 points
3.Obedience 50 points
Maximum score 300 points
General rules
When taking tests, safety rules must be observed.
During all exercises, two motor boats must be in the water. All people sitting on boats must wear life jackets or wetsuits.
Dogs must have special equipment for working in water: a harness with a handle firmly attached to the back, with which you can easily lift the dog out of the water.
Tests can be carried out in bodies of water with calm water. In the event of unfavorable weather conditions or strong roughness on the water, the judge has the right to postpone the test if it is impossible to carry it out normally.
Test rules
Required participants:
judge, shore instructor, assistant (drowning person), motor boat driver.
Required equipment: 1 motor boat, 2 buoys, 1 board (surfing).
Swimming 400 m
The trainer and the dog get into the boat, which sets off and stops 200 m from the shore at the first buoy. Having given the command, the trainer orders the dog to jump into the water. The boat follows. The dog must swim after the boat. At the second buoy (300 m) the boat turns and goes back to the shore. The dog, following the boat, must also return to shore.
This exercise evaluates jumping into the water and swimming behind the boat.
Working in water
1. Towing a surfboard with a person lying down. The trainer with the dog takes the starting position on the shore. In the water, 30 m from the shore, there is a surfboard on which the assistant lies. At the trainer's command, the dog swims to the board. A man lying on a surfboard gives the dog the end of a rope, she takes it in her teeth and tows the surfboard and an assistant to the shore. On the shore, the dog releases the rope only at the command of the trainer. Two attempts are allowed.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
2. Rescue of a drowning man, the dog starts from the shore.
The trainer with the dog takes the starting position on the shore. The assistant sets sail in the boat. Approximately 30 m from the shore, the assistant falls into the water, and the boat follows further. The assistant pretends to be a drowning man, waves his arms, but does not have the right to call the dog to him. At the command of the trainer, the dog swims as quickly as possible to the drowning person. As soon as the drowning man has the opportunity to grab the dog's fur, the dog turns and tows him to the shore. The dog itself should not actively grab the drowning person with its teeth. Two attempts are allowed.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture. The exercise is considered completed after the trainer reports to the judge and the latter is awarded a mark.
Obedience (see above) - 50 points.
Stage C (RH-W C)
Stage C consists of the following exercises:
Work in water 250 points
For exercises 1 and 4 minimum
60 points are awarded
For exercises 2 and 3 minimum
65 points are awarded
Obedience 50 points
Maximum score 300 points
General rules
When taking tests, safety rules must be observed.
During all exercises, two motor boats must be in the water. All people sitting on boats must wear life jackets or wetsuits.
Dogs must have special equipment for working in water: a harness with a handle firmly attached to the back, with which you can easily lift the dog out of the water.
Tests can be carried out in bodies of calm water. In the event of unfavorable weather conditions or strong rough water, the judge has the right to postpone the test if it is impossible to carry it out normally.
Test rules
Required participants:
judge, shore instructor, 2 assistants (drowning people), motor boat driver.
Required equipment:
1 motor boat, 1 lifebuoy, 1 retrieval item (a piece of floating boat rope with a diameter of 5 cm and a length of 30 cm).
Working in water
1. Towing an unconscious person; the dog starts from the boat.
The trainer and the dog, together with an assistant, get into the boat, which then moves away from the shore about 50m. The helper falls into the water, and the boat goes on for another 20 m. At the command of the trainer, the dog jumps into the water and swims to the helper, who, at the moment of her approach, lies motionless on the water. The dog grabs the helper's wrist with his teeth and tows him to the boat. The man and then the dog are lifted aboard. Two attempts are allowed.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
2. Towing two people; the dog starts from the shore.
The trainer and the dog stand in the starting position on the shore. Two assistants in a boat sail 50 m from the shore. One assistant, while moving, falls out of the boat, which continues to move parallel to the shore for another 20 m. The second assistant, a lifeguard, jumps into the water while the boat continues to move along the shore. The rescuer swims up to the drowning man and calls the dog to him. At the command of the trainer, the dog swims towards people in the water. The rescuer, who supports the drowning person with one hand, grabs the dog's fur with his free hand, after which the dog tows both of them to the shore. The dog should not grab swimmers' hands with its teeth. Two attempts are allowed.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
3. Towing the boat to the shore.
The trainer and the dog, accompanied by four other people, get into the boat, which departs approximately 50 meters from the shore, after which the engine turns off. At the trainer's command, the dog jumps into the water. The trainer puts a rope in the dog's teeth, and it tows the boat to the shore. Two attempts are allowed.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
4. Importation from the shore lifebuoy.
The boat moves away from the shore about 40 m. The assistant falls from the boat into the water, the boat continues to move on. The assistant pretends to be a drowning man, waves his arms, but does not have the right to call the dog to him. The trainer with the dog is on the shore in the starting position. On command, the dog takes the rope to which the lifebuoy is tied in its teeth and swims to the drowning person. The drowning man grabs the circle, and the dog tows him back to the shore. Two attempts are allowed.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
The exercise is considered completed after the trainer reports to the judge and the latter is awarded a mark.
Obedience (see above) -- 50 points.
Stage D (RH-W D)
Level D consists of the following exercises:
Swimming distance 100 points
Importation 100 points
For exercises 1.1 and 1.2, or 1.3,
or 1.4 minimum 50 points awarded
Delivery 100 points
For exercises 2.1 and 2.2, or
2.3, or 2.4 minimum 50 points awarded
Maximum score 300 points
General rules
When taking tests, safety rules must be observed.
During all exercises, two motor boats must be in the water. All people sitting on boats must wear life jackets or wetsuits.
Dogs must have special equipment for working in water: a harness with a handle firmly attached to the back, with which you can easily lift the dog out of the water.
Tests can be carried out in bodies of calm water. In the event of unfavorable weather conditions or strong rough water, the judge has the right to postpone the test if it is impossible to carry it out normally.
Test rules
Required participants:
judge, shore instructor, 2 assistants, 2 motor boat drivers.
Required equipment:
1 motor boat, 1 lifebuoy, 1 retrieval item (a piece of floating boat rope with a diameter of 5 cm and a length of 30 cm).
From the number of exercises from 1.1 to 1.4 and from 2.1 to 2.4, each test participant is required to complete only four exercises by lot. The draw is carried out by the instructor before the start of each participant. Only one attempt is allowed for all exercises.
Distance swimming (endurance test)
At the discretion of the judge, this exercise can be performed simultaneously by several (maximum three) participants.
Trainers and dogs are taken in a boat to a distance of approximately 1000 m from the shore so that the dogs can then swim behind the boat for about 20 minutes. The boat stops, and at the command of the trainers, the dogs jump into the water. The boat turns towards the shore, leaving the dogs alone, but does not move further than 20m so that the dogs remain constantly under observation. Dogs should swim calmly and fearlessly to the shore. They can go with the flow and do not have to come ashore exactly at the starting point. The instructor monitors the return of the dogs, meets them on the shore and takes them to the starting point.
After the endurance test, the dog should be allowed to rest for at least an hour before proceeding with further work.
Importation
1. Rescue of a drowning person (start from a boat).
The trainer and the dog sit in one boat, the assistant, portraying a drowning man, in another. Both boats move away from the shore and stop at a distance of 40m from each other. The assistant falls into the water. At the command of the trainer, the dog jumps into the water and swims to the drowning man, takes him by the wrist with his teeth and delivers him to the boat in which the trainer is located. A drowning man and a dog are lifted aboard the boat.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
2. Rescue of two drowning people (start from the shore).
The trainer with the dog stands on the shore in the starting position. Two assistants are sailing in a boat. 30 meters from the shore, first one assistant falls into the water, then, after about 20 m, the second. At the trainer's command, the dog swims to the first drowning person. He grabs her fur with his hand. The dog then swims to the second drowning man, grabs his wrist with his teeth and tows both people to the shore.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
3. Towing a surfboard with a lying person (starting from the shore).
The trainer with the dog takes the starting position on the shore. In the water, 30 m from the shore, there is a surfboard on which the assistant lies. At the trainer's command, the dog swims to the board. A man lying on a surfboard gives the dog the end of a rope, she takes it in her teeth and tows the surfboard and an assistant to the shore.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
4. Towing a drifting boat (starting from the shore).
The boat is towed 30 m from the shore. There she is left adrift with a rope hanging from the side, while the second boat returns to shore. The trainer with the dog stands in the starting position on the shore. At the command of the trainer, the dog swims to the drifting boat, finds a hanging rope, takes it in its teeth and tows the boat to the shore.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
Delivery
1. Delivery of a lifebuoy (launch from a boat).
The trainer with the dog and one of the assistants get into the boat. After the boat moves 40 m from the shore, the assistant falls into the water. The boat floats along the shore another 20 m and stops. The trainer throws a lifebuoy in the middle between the boat and the drowning man, who waves his arms and calls for help, but does not call the dog to him. At the trainer's command, the dog jumps into the water and swims to the life buoy. She grabs the rope of the lifebuoy with her teeth and delivers it to the drowning man. The drowning man holds on to the circle, the dog tows him to the boat. A drowning man is lifted aboard. The boat returns back to the shore. The dog swims to the shore after the boat.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
3. Delivery of a small inflatable boat to a drowning person. Forty meters from the shore, the assistant falls into the water from a boat, which immediately moves away. The trainer with the dog stands in the starting position on the shore. The trainer puts a short rope in the dog's teeth, the other end attached to the bow of a small inflatable boat. The dog swims to the drowning man and delivers him a boat, into which he climbs. A dog tows a boat with a man sitting in it to the shore.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
4. Delivery of rope from one boat to another.
The trainer and the dog get into a boat containing a 30-meter rope. This rope should unwind easily. The boat moves away from the shore, accompanied by a second boat, then both of them stop at a distance of 20 m from each other. At the trainer's command, the dog jumps into the water. She is given the end of a rope, and with the rope in her teeth she swims to the second boat, where she gives the rope to the driver. The dog then returns back to the first boat and is lifted aboard. The boat heads towards the shore, with the second one in tow.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
The exercise is considered completed after the trainer reports to the judge and the latter is awarded a mark.
It is impossible to imagine how human history would have developed if we had not had a dog - a loyal, brave, intelligent and strong friend. For thousands of years they have guarded and protected, helped in hunting and transported goods. They are the ears and eyes of those who need it. And if trouble comes, rescue dogs do everything to save the life of a stranger at any cost.
The best rescue dogs are the Labrador breed, some will say. No, no one can do the job better than a shepherd dog, others will object to them. Both are right, but Labradors can be gluttons, and shepherd dogs sometimes show anger towards strangers. Maybe spaniels? Or schnauzers? Collies, terriers?
Main tasks search dog- find a person and indicate the find by barking or taking a special “diarrhea” in your teeth. The dog cannot bandage wounds or make artificial respiration. In very rare cases, she is able to get the victim out 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 endurance and passion for work are not the only requirements. The dog must be mentally stable - not be distracted by noise and other extraneous stimuli, good-natured - not frighten the person it finds, not rush at strangers (medics, other rescuers, their “colleagues”). That's why strict framework There is no rule regarding what breed rescue dogs should be. The main thing is that the dog has all the qualities necessary for such complex work: endurance in every sense, acute hearing and scent, obedient disposition, the ability to concentrate on the task at hand and act independently if such a need arises.
A rescue dog is not just a profession, it is a noble cause to which the animal and its owner must devote a lot of time and effort. At the same time, the four-legged heroes simply do their job, without even suspecting that if it weren’t for them, there would be many 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 alarming regularity, sometimes leading to loss of life. It is difficult to find a person buried under an avalanche or a collapsed building. It is even more difficult to do this so quickly that the victim does not suffocate, is crushed, or dies from blood loss. A specially trained rescue dog can quickly find a victim under multi-ton rubble.
Dogs helped rescue people in trouble many hundreds of years ago. A drawing was found in the Pamir Mountains depicting a dog saving a man; The age of the drawing is about one and a half thousand years.
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 to search for people lost in the storm. Powerful animals covered with thick hair were not afraid of frost and, sensing a person in trouble under the thick snow, they dug him out, gave him a drink of warm wine from a barrel so that the traveler could quickly warm up, and brought help. This breed of dog was later named St. Bernard, in honor of the patron saint of the monastery.
It is impossible to count how many people the St. Bernards saved. But the most popular among them was a St. Bernard named Barry. The story about him has long become a legend. Barry sensed the approaching snowstorm intuitively more than an hour before it started, and became very restless. One day he saved a child who was deep under an avalanche, and no one even suspected that he was in trouble except Barry. Barry found the child and licked his face until the child 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 in ammunition, medicine and telephone cable, located the mines and found the wounded. During the First World War, gas masks were worn on dogs. And modern armies prefer to use dogs for service. German shepherds, collies, Dobermans and Rottweilers serve in different armies. Dogs with white coloring are not taken for this role, since they are easier for the enemy to notice.
Hero dogs are now called those who helped people during hostilities. The dogs were full-fledged fighters and took part in the search for missing people under the rubble, neutralized mines, and 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 are some of them.
During the war years, a nurse dog named Mukhtar rescued more than 400 wounded soldiers from the battlefields. The shepherd Dina was trained in sabotage and completed a course to destroy enemy tanks. During the days of the defense of Leningrad, the Nazis reported that “the Russians released mad dogs" In the famous “rail war” in Belarus, Dina derailed an entire train by dragging explosives directly under the wheels of a steam locomotive. The collie dog Dick was trained in mine detection. In his personal file There was this entry: “Called up for service from Leningrad. During the war years, he discovered more than 12 thousand mines, took part in demining Stalingrad, Lisichansk, Prague and other cities.” But Dick accomplished his main feat in Pavlovsk. He discovered a two and a half ton landmine in the foundation of an ancient palace, clocked by 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 full military honors, as befits a hero.
The search and rescue dog service was created in Russia in 1972, and one of the world's best methods for training rescue dogs was developed.
IN Lately More and more advanced technology is coming to the aid of rescuers, but a dog’s nose is still indispensable for finding people under rubble or avalanches - after all, it is able to distinguish the smell dissolved in the air in a ratio of one to ten million! One rescue dog saves the work of dozens of people. After all, in a dog’s nose there are 500 million cells capable of capturing smell, while in a human nose there are only 10-20 million. Therefore, the most modern devices cannot replace a dog’s nose and ear.
A specially trained dog is able to detect even the faintest odors and distinguish them from thousands of unnecessary ones; it is able to find a person under an 8-meter layer of snow, mud or the rubble of a collapsed building.
Once, the mountain rescue service conducted an experiment - on an area of 10,000 square meters, a “victim” was buried in the snow to a depth of 2 meters. A rescue team of twenty people, armed with avalanche probes, searched for him for four hours, and the dog found him in twelve minutes.
Many people are interested in the question - what 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 instincts. Initially, she should have a loyal, non-aggressive reaction to people. In general, anger is a sign of cowardice; a dog fit for service must be confident and calm. Also, when selecting candidates, attention is paid to the dog’s ability to withstand the climate in which it will have to work. Having collected statistics from all over the world, dog experts have identified the top five most capable dog breeds.
5th place went to Doberman Pinschers. The appearance of this dog breed dates back to 1800, when there was an urgent need for a protective dog that, if necessary, could attack the offender. Some people consider this breed to be stupid, but this judgment is wrong. Dobermans need to be trained and educated, otherwise there is a very high chance that a small funny puppy will grow into an uncontrollable dog who will do only what he wants.
Dobermans are very active dogs that are capable of fighting tooth and nail for their owner.
The Golden Retriever was in 4th place in the dog rating. He is very kind and gentle in character and is great with children. They are able to learn quickly and easily, understand commands literally the first time and literally grasp everything on the fly. They can often be seen in police service, rescue service, customs and as a guide dog. Thanks to their patience they can be good nannies for children and excellent companions for the elderly.
The honorable 3rd place went to German Shepherds. German Shepherds are very intelligent and trainable, and can be used as guards, bloodhounds or police officers. Representatives of this breed have proven themselves well as pets.
The second position is occupied by Poodles. They can not only jump and perform various tricks in the circus, but can also be good observers and serve in the rescue service. Poodles swim well and are ready to save a drowning person. Of course, there are a huge variety of poodles, both small and large, beautiful and not so beautiful, but they are all excellent companions and guards.
Representatives of the Border Collie breed became champions in intellectual abilities among dogs. Cynologists from all over the world unanimously recognized this breed as the smartest. These dogs are real hard workers, they do not like to idle, and are ready to work almost around the clock for the benefit of humans. They even say about the border collie that this dog lives to work.
They remember rules of behavior very easily, easily learn commands, are friendly and simply adore children. Overall, this is a unique dog that can be widely used - from a guard dog to a nanny, or just as a pet with good mental abilities.
Even very good innate qualities of a dog can fully manifest themselves only with proper upbringing and initial training from puppyhood. The growth and development of the animal body occurs more intensively in the spring and summer.
Although raising a puppy (ensuring good growth and physical development) and education (forming 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 functioning of the body, physical and mental principles are closely connected. Practice shows that a dog that is poorly developed physically cannot be expected to have a strong nervous system or a balanced psyche.
The necessary qualities of a PSS dog that should be developed from a very early age include:
- * interest and persistence in finding the source of human odor;
- * courage in overcoming natural obstacles;
- * activity at work;
- * sense of orientation in unfamiliar areas;
- * indifferent attitude towards wild and domestic animals;
- * unpretentiousness to food and maintenance;
- * ability to work at any time of the day, in difficult weather conditions.
The general principles of training and raising a puppy are as follows:
- 1) what an adult dog should not do, a puppy should not be allowed to do;
- 2) this period is the most crucial because “early experience” acquired in puppyhood affects the behavior and work of the dog throughout its life;
- 3) mistakes made by the trainer during raising and training are almost impossible to correct later;
- 4) “idling” and overload with activities should not be allowed. Constantly maintain and develop the dog's interest and passion for finding a person's ID - exercises for the search skill: give "not enough" and do stimulating intervals.
The search for a hidden or buried source of human odor (burrow) should always and everywhere end in finding it. It is better if in the very first lessons the growing dog finds 1-2 difficult burrows than a larger number of simple ones. But if the dog cannot find them on his own, the trainer must help him with this by pointing or in another way. When found, the trainer encourages it much more than when performing any other technique. Only under these conditions does the dog develop interest and persistence in searching. If the hole is not found or found too easily, interest in the search work disappears.
To develop sense of smell: during daily walks, let the dog off the leash; do not interfere with sniffing various objects, except for sewage; camouflage and bury retrieval items.
Every morning, do a 20-30 minute cross-country run with your dog. During it, the dog is sent at least 20 times for a far-thrown retrieval object, which gives it the opportunity to run during this time a distance 5 times greater than the trainer will run. This is an excellent exercise for the whole body. In the future, the dog is taught not to bring the object, not to run with it, but, having raised its voice, to return to the trainer.
Take long walks at least once a week: in winter - on skis, in summer - with an overnight stay in field conditions. During walks, the dog makes high and long jumps, overcomes forest debris and other obstacles. She must 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 the wing of a tent in summer.
Although dogs have a much stronger sense of orientation than humans, it, like any sense, is improved through exercise and training. To this end, you should constantly change your walking routes and take your dog with you on multi-day hikes in 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. Caution must also be exercised during mental stress. Overload leads to breakdown nervous activity, neuroses. The methods and techniques for training a young dog using OKD, scent sampling, and searching the area are generally accepted.
Training the dog not to show an aggressive attitude towards domestic and wild animals is important both for work and for keeping the dog itself. This must be taught from puppyhood, since it is almost impossible to wean a dog with a “manifested” instinct to pursue a fleeing animal from this. Due to its instinct, a dog cannot avoid reacting at all to animals that are a strong odor and visual irritant. It is enough that, having sniffed him at a distance, she immediately turned away from him and approached the trainer when called.
The scheme for teaching a dog this using a contrasting method on a long leash is as follows:
- 1) the dog is led 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 the dog tries to get closer to the animals, he is called to him and encouraged with a treat; if she doesn’t obey, they pull her with a leash;
- 3) approach the animals so much that they begin to move away. If the dog tries to chase, distract its attention with commands and pull it with a leash;
- 4) train the dog to calmly pass by and follow retreating animals until it can perform this technique without tugging at the leash.
Suppression of the pursuit of cats and game is carried out using the same methods: distraction, physical impact, encouragement when approaching the trainer. Under no circumstances should you punish a dog after it has run after the animal and returned to the trainer on its own.
It is best to keep both growing and adult dogs in an open enclosure or in a fenced yard with an insulated kennel. Such maintenance is very important in order not to pamper the dog and to preserve its undercoat, without which it will not withstand prolonged work in the cold. It is more rational to keep dogs in an enclosure not individually - one at a time, but all together - in a team of 3-5 pieces. This group content has the following advantages:
- 1. With the same size of plot and the same consumption of mesh 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), and get used to each other.
- 3. The problem of keeping the dog eliminated when the trainer is away from home for a long time - feeding and care is carried out by another team handler.
- 4. Feeding and care can be carried out alternately by one of the trainers.
- 5. Dogs do not need special walking.
- 6. Puppies in a large enclosure receive excellent conditions for physical development and hardening.
- 7. The enclosure can simultaneously serve as a training ground for young animals; for this purpose, a boom, barriers and other equipment are installed in it.
Inside the enclosure, food is prepared in an insulated hut, food and equipment are stored. For temporary isolation, each dog can be placed in a compartment of the enclosure. This “enclosure-group” type of housing at the rate of 20 m2 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 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 quite enough, under which, if the floor is cold, a wooden shield is placed.
The feeding rules, sufficiently covered in the literature, for PSS dogs should be supplemented with the following: use natural food products, including raw meat on the bones - weekly, fresh vegetables - daily at least 10% of the feed ration, vegetable fats - no more than 25% of the total fat. Feed concentrates, very easy to handle, to be used only in rescue operations and other necessary cases. Feeding them constantly pampers the dog’s digestive system, after which ordinary roughage is poorly eaten and digested.
In the morning after a run or walk, when the dog performs several exercises, he is given 2-3 dry foods or crackers to “awaken the stomach.” Lunch after classes is 40% of the daily ration, dinner is 60%. A good trainer eats at the same time as the dog, near or close to each other so that they can see each other. The norm for daily feeding is such that the bowl is licked clean after it, a well-fed dog would move away from it on its own without asking for more. It is better if the dog is “thin”, because excess weight, like in humans, leads to decreased performance and premature aging.
The dog PSS always and everywhere eats only from his bowl, the hands of the owner, his family members, and his helper. The instinctive picking up of food from the ground is difficult to overcome in some dogs and leads to a decrease in the quality of its search, since in the ruins of the emergency zone there is plenty of food. Eating any “appetizing” foods contaminated with toxic substances leads to poisoning and death of the dog.
Rejection
To assess suitability adult dog to PSS, used the following techniques. Over the course of several days, the dog is trained to flawlessly find a retrieval object disguised in grass or snow with the scent of its trainer. Then, in an area measuring 10 x 10 m, an object with the same smell is buried in the ground to the depth of half a shovel bayonet, and in the snow - to the depth of a bayonet. A few meters away from it, for the purpose of distraction, they dig up the surface with a shovel (false digging). If a dog, after several attempts, cannot find the source of the smell, this indicates a defect in its sense of smell - temporary or permanent.
To test hearing at a distance of 5-10 m from the dog, the trainer, approaching and moving away, pronounces its name several times in a whisper. These simplified methods of testing in field conditions allow us to detect the most severe defects in sense of smell and hearing and in no way give their exact assessment in any points.
The dog's motor and vestibular apparatus is checked while it is running, jumping and walking on a log. Often due to some internal factors(the dog’s ill health) or external (distracting stimuli), it may not show its true abilities. If, when checking the dog, the trainer has such suspicions, after 3-4 days they do a second check in a changed environment - place, time of day, weather conditions, etc.
There is no culling based on breed. For work, a good “mongrel” is better than purebred ones with pedigrees and medals.
Age and service
The highest mastery, close to the wisdom of both man and dog, comes only in adulthood. Only in adulthood can a PSS dog perform its complex 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 pointers and herding dogs. Therefore, smart and skillful handlers extend the life of their dogs to 12 years or more.
Interest in life and work creates mental health both in humans and animals.
Major state, mood keep it on long years. Keeping a PSS dog on a leash or a block, which is quite normal for dogs of other services, is completely unacceptable. Malice, aggressive behavior age the sensitive psyche of a rescue dog. Transferring an adult dog from hand to hand, buying and selling destroy the complex mental world of a PSS dog.
Requirements for a trainer
The most important quality of a trainer is the ability to observe the constantly changing environment: the strength and direction of the wind; air temperature and humidity; the presence and movement of strangers, pets, and transport in the area where the dog is being exercised; in a word, behind everything that interferes with classes are olfactory, sound, visual distracting stimuli. All this should not escape his attentive gaze; all this is necessary for a correct assessment of the situation and appropriate control of the dog. The trainer must be a kind of tracker and scout, and show maximum attention to the dog’s behavior. In all classes and training, he must be self-possessed, patient and persistent in achieving his goal.
The trainer and assistant must have sufficient theoretical training in the field of physiology, psychology, ethology, methods and techniques for training dogs. They must have high moral qualities. A dog's deception, rudeness, lack of will and softness are incompatible with the work of education, training and training. Also incompatible with this work are the two extremes of communicating with a dog - only using “command language” or humanizing the dog and talking to it. In their coordinated work, the methodology - the sequence of introducing and practicing techniques, their duration and the standards of the PSS course - are always inseparable from the technique - the ability in each specific case to influence the dog in developing the necessary skills so that they are developed quickly and held firmly.
Courage, resourcefulness, determination, self-control when training dogs - the mandatory qualities of a trainer and assistant are effective only if you love your four-legged friend, love for their joint noble cause.
The psychogenic impact in an emergency zone on people with physical injuries, only mental ones and those who arrived after a disaster (rescuers, workers of other services) varies. The psyche of victims of the 2nd group is more disturbed than others. They experience, in addition to the depressing contemplation of crippled people and staggering destruction, a break with the outside world, with life itself. No water, lighting, telephone, radio, television, etc. The lack of definite information about the disaster that occurred, its continuation or cessation is traumatic for the psyche. In predictable disasters, that is, when people learn in advance about the reality of the disaster from the radio, the behavior of animals or from other sources, in response to this, various types of reactions appear, up to a breakdown of nervous activity, neuroses.
The most common mental reactions in the latter case are: fear, confusion, erratic actions, loss of orientation, lack of understanding of the situation, euphoria, spreading panic. In contrast, people of other types of nervous activity exhibit lethargy, passivity, indifference, a state of stupor and numbness.
This “general mental atmosphere” that prevails in the emergency zone has an impact on both handlers and dogs.
Dog equipment and training location
The dog's special equipment includes a standard harness, covered with red material, with pockets with clasps. It serves as a safety belt, to which a safety rope is attached in dangerous places. This harness allows you to see the dog on any terrain from a great distance; deliver notes, medicines, and other small items. It is used to tow a skier and a loaded sled.
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 are used to protect paws in areas clogged with sharp objects, hard crust, and mountain glacier.
During training sessions, each trainer has the following in their bag:
- * 3 plastic bags marked with large numbers, where hairpins of a standard volume (underwear shirt, pants) with different smells are strictly stored; 1st package - the smell of the dog trainer, 2nd package - the smell of a family member or assistant, 3rd package - the smell of a person unfamiliar to the dog;
- * a bag with red flaps for marking the area and centimeter oil tape for precise definition burial depths;
- * a bag of treats for the dog's nutritional reward.
These bags are necessary to preserve the smell of the burials, prevent them from being contaminated by other odors and for hygiene purposes. If you don’t have special tweezers, you can use a wooden flyer to remove and put the buried items into bags. It is also advisable to have cellophane film or an old raincoat that protects from wet snow and soil when buried in extras during training. For burying holes and extras, ordinary bayonet and shovel shovels are quite suitable.
A place for training in a special course, as opposed to a training area, where only a few training sessions can be carried out. elementary lessons, is called a training ground. This is an area with rugged terrain, islands of bushes, groups of trees - all this makes it easier to disguise and bury odor sources, bringing the situation closer to the real one. A dense forest interferes with observation of the actions of the dog and trainer and the natural movement of air. The parade ground must have a shelter from which the digging being done on it is not visible.
In the first half of the training course, an area measuring 30x30 m is allocated for training each dog. From the second half of the course, its size increases to 70x70 m. To ensure that no odors are transferred from one area to another, they are all located in a chain across the main direction of the wind. Thus, the size of the training ground depends on the number of dogs trained on it and, accordingly, the number of sections. A training group must have several parade grounds, since it is impossible to conduct classes on the same one (taking into account the exchange of areas between groups) more than 3 times in a row. Dogs develop the habit of searching only in an area that is familiar to it, and its area is also polluted by distracting odors.
The training ground must meet the following requirements:
- 1) during initial search training, he should not be exposed to distractions that interfere with the dog’s development of the initial skill. These include: odors - various types of smoke, car exhaust gases, household waste, etc.; sound - noise from vehicles, railway, people and pets; visual - any moving objects that fall into the dog’s field of vision;
- 2) snow and soil should not be contaminated with sharp objects (glass, iron scraps, etc.), chemicals(mineral fertilizers, industrial waste);
- 3) in mountainous areas, slopes must be safe against rockfalls, mudflows and avalanches.
Transporting dogs to their destination is the most important link in the complex of every rescue operation. It is carried out as quickly as possible without harm to the dogs.
Delivering a dog by car or plane is a strong sound, olfactory, visual irritation, a load on the vestibular apparatus, that is, an overload of all receptors, the entire neuropsychic system. This will simply incapacitate an untrained dog; it will not be able to work. Therefore, PSS dogs must be gradually accustomed to the specified stimuli, and certain rules must be observed during transportation. preventive measures. Delivering a dog on your own is the simplest, 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 must be given a 10-minute break.
When delivered by road, the dog’s sense of smell can be impaired by exhaust gases and the smell of liquid fuel. In the presence of these harmful gases, the dog begins to breathe rapidly, sneeze, and strive for a window or crack, from where clean air enters the cabin. The simplest way To avoid poisoning, give the dog the opportunity to stick his nose out the window. The same should be done when transporting by helicopter, where the dog is also exposed to a strong sound stimulus. The noise from propellers and turbines in air delivery is more impactful during boarding and disembarking than in the aircraft cabin, where dogs tend to be quiet. The dog must be prepared in advance for strong sound stimuli through gradual training. If agitation or depression and cowardice appear, the dog should be distracted by play, a soothing tone, affection and treats.
The greatest danger for a dog is not the stay in any type of transport itself, but the approaches and waits at stations and train stations (the possibility of the dog being poisoned by car exhaust fumes).
When developing PSS skills in a dog, trainers often make the following mistakes:
- 1. Conducting initial search lessons in an area heavily polluted with distracting odors, which makes it difficult to develop the skill.
- 2. A long session with the dog in the same area, as a result of which the dog, having become accustomed to it, is poorly oriented and searches in a new, unfamiliar area.
- 3. The same type of burying of the assistant and objects - at the same distance from each other, in the same places in the training area.
- 4. Frequently pointing the dog to the source of the smell, that is, unnecessary hints that are necessary only in the first lessons.
- 5. Excessive restraint of the dog with a leash to maintain the correct zigzags of the “shuttle” search. Frequently pushing the dog and mistrusting its instincts.
- 6. Using the same assistant and his things in classes, as a result of which the dog gets used to looking only for this familiar smell.
- 7. Burying as belongings unworn underwear of assistants or used in classes for a long time and lost its smell.
- 8. Violation of the sequence of commands when developing the complex search skill “Search - dig - voice - lead.”
Perhaps, in a global sense, rescue dogs do not create history. But they are undoubtedly part of it and influence the development of humanity. Irreplaceable, always loyal, intelligent and selfless dogs are one of best gifts that Nature made for us. Saving even one child is a feat. And when there are dozens, hundreds of lives saved? In every big city there are monuments to rescue dogs, in every major city there live people whose destinies once depended on leather wet nose. Thank you, amazing and irreplaceable search and rescue guardians of human lives!
dog rescue training content
Bibliography
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- 2. Bergman E. Dog behavior. M., 1986.
- 3. Karpov V.K. About some factors influencing the sense of smell of service dogs // Service Dog Breeding Club. M., 1987.
- 4. Usov M.I. Training dogs for 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
