ON THE WATER RESCUE SERVICE
Published in Vienna in 1994
These rules are adopted by the international organization IRO (International Recsue Dog Organization). IRO brings together national organizations and clubs whose members are amateur dog breeders ~ on a voluntary basis, train their dogs according to various types rescue services. Specially trained dogs work as guides for the blind, along with mountain rescue teams, they come to the aid of travelers covered in snow avalanches, search for people buried under the rubble - victims of earthquakes, fires and other disasters.
The IRO also unites clubs involved in the training of water rescue dogs. If dogs are used for other rescue services different breeds and outbred, then almost one breed is used for water rescue - 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 with the lower level and ends with the passing of tests.
Tests of dogs in the water rescue service (RH -W) can be taken sequentially, at the rate of each subsequent step, but not earlier than 26 days after the next test, provided that the dog reaches the desired age.
Dog Age Required for RH-W Testing
Stage 1 (A) -- 15 months
Stage 2 (B) -- 24 months
Stage 3 (C) -- 36 months
Stage 4 (D) -- 37 months
During the test, the trainer can perform consecutively with several dogs. A dog can only be controlled by one trainer. The trainer gives the dog short commands (commands can be given in any language). Together with the command, it is allowed to pronounce the name of the dog.
Females in heat are allowed to test, but must be isolated from other dogs and are tested last.
Dogs that fail the test are allowed to retake a minimum of six days.
Sick dogs and presumed carriers of the infection are removed from the tests.
Before the start of the trials and during their conduct, the judge observes the behavior of each dog. Noticed shortcomings, he must enter in the record book.
Deviations from normal behavior are:
insufficient resistance of the dog to extraneous influences;
inability to overcome difficult test conditions, such as prolonged work, joint work of many dogs, extreme heat or cold, loud noise, etc.;
weakness nervous system and the associated aggressiveness, malice and associated cowardice and the like.
Each trainer must have a record book with him, which he gives to the judge before the start of the test. The instructor enters in the book, and the judge signs the test results. Test results are expressed in marks and points received for each exercise. In the final calculation of individual points to determine the mark for each individual exercise, fractional numbers are rounded off.
Number of points required to be awarded
ratings, and their percentage expression
RH-W Stages A, B, C, D
Grades: 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 score is considered passed if in each individual exercise the dog scores at least 70% of the possible points.
The test results are recorded in the evaluation sheet, which is filled in four copies. The original is handed over to the trainer along with the record book.
Copies are sent to:
referent of the national rescue dog training organization;
to a national organization;
test judge.
Trials may be taken by licensed judges. One judge has the right to judge no more than 30 dogs per day. The judge cannot evaluate the work of a dog belonging to him. Overhead costs for refereeing are determined by the national organization. The judge's decision is final.
The safety of humans and dogs must be guaranteed during trials.
Water rescue dog test.
Steps A, B, C, D(RH-W)
Obedience
The highest score is 50 points.
Movement nearby on a leash 5 points.
Free to follow next to the trainer
with turns and passing through a group of moving
people, consisting of at least four people 10 points.
Command "Sit!" 5 points.
The command "Lie down!" with a call to the trainer 5 points.
The command "Stop!" with a call to the trainer 5 points.
Aportation on land 5 points.
Team "Forward!" 5 points.
Excerpt on the command "Lie down!"
(checked individually or in a group) 10 points.
Requirements for performing tricks
At the discretion of the judge, obedience tests may be conducted individually or in a group of up to three dogs. The dog must follow commands quickly and willingly.
To points 1 and 2
Movement nearby on a leash and free following of the trainer are carried out with turns to the right, left, circle, as well as with a change in the pace of movement (slow, normal step and run). At the direction of the judge, the trainer with his dog passes through a group of people, making at least one stop. The people in the group move in different directions. Leading the dog on a leash, the trainer unfastens the leash during the last stop and continues to move. The trainer can call the dog and give commands only at the start and at the moment of changing the pace of movement. During the movement, the dog's shoulder is constantly at the handler's left knee. Points are deducted for running ahead, lagging behind, deflecting the dog to the sides, as well as uncertain performance of turns by the trainer. Only a dog that is indifferent to distracting external stimuli can receive the highest mark. Aggressive and cowardly dogs are removed from the test.
Go to point 3
The trainer leaves the starting point with the dog walking beside him without a leash at his left leg. After walking 10 steps, he gives a command that the dog must quickly sit down, while the trainer follows forward without turning around and without slowing down the pace of movement. After walking 30 steps, the trainer stops and turns to face the dog. At the signal of the judge, the trainer approaches the dog and takes the starting position.
Go 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 and without 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 signal of the judge, 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 its original position.
Go 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 should quickly stop and stay in place while standing, and the trainer should move forward without turning around and without slowing down the pace of movement. After walking another 30 steps, the trainer stops and turns to face the dog. Points are deducted for the dog's attempt to leave the place. At the signal of the judge, 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 its original position.
Go to point 6
Importing an object. A dog sitting off-leash next to the trainer must, at the trainer's command, quickly run up to the object thrown by him at a distance of about 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 gives the object, the trainer does not leave the starting position.
Go to point 7
At the signal of the judge, the trainer with the dog following him without a leash takes several steps in a certain direction. With a guiding hand gesture, the trainer sends the dog forward, while he himself remains standing.
The dog must quickly overcome 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 its original position.
Go to point 8
Before the start of the next dog, the trainer puts his dog down as a team, leaving no object next to him. Remaining in the field of view of the dog, the trainer moves away from it for about 40 steps, turns to face the dog and remains motionless. The dog must, without any influence from the handler, lie still while the other dog is performing exercises 1-7. When testing exposure in a group, distracting effects are produced on the dog. During the execution of the 2nd exercise, the trainer joins a group of moving people, after which he independently returns to former place. At the signal of the judge, the trainer approaches the dog, stands to the right of it, and the dog, on command, takes its original position. After that, the trainer takes her on a leash.
Step A(RH-WA)
Stage A consists of the following exercises:
2. Fetching from the water
3. Obedience 50 points
General rules
Testing Rules
Required members:
referee, shore instructor, motorboat driver.
Required inventory:
1 motorboat, 1 buoy, 2 fetch items (pieces of a floating boat rope with a diameter of 5 cm and a length of 30 cm).
Swimming at a distance of 200 m
The trainer with the dog gets into the boat, which sets off and stops 200 meters from the shore. Having given the command, the trainer orders the dog to jump into the water. You are allowed to help the dog. The boat is heading towards the shore. The dog should swim calmly 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. A porting 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 a dog after it. The dog must swim up to the object, take it and deliver it to the trainer along the shortest path. The dog can release the object from the teeth only at the command of the trainer.
2. The fetching 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 fetching item is thrown in a direction parallel to the shore from a boat that is about 25 m away from the shore. After making sure that the item lies calmly on the surface of the water, the trainer sends a dog after it. The dog must swim up to the object to take it and deliver it to the trainer along the shortest path. The dog can release the object from the teeth only at the command of the trainer. Two attempts are allowed.
After pronouncing the command, it is allowed to give a gesture that attracts the attention of the dog.
Obedience (see above) - 50 points.
Step B (RH-W B)
Stage B consists of the following exercises:
1. Swimming for a distance of 100 points
2. Work in water
(The minimum allowable score is 75 points.
For a second attempt, 10% is deducted.) 150 points
3. Obedience 50 points
Maximum score 300 points
General rules
When passing tests, safety rules must be observed.
When performing all exercises, two motor boats must be in the water. All people sitting in 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, by which you can easily lift the dog out of the water.
Tests can be carried out in reservoirs with calm water. In the event of unfavorable weather conditions or heavy seas on the water, the judge has the right to postpone the test if it is impossible to conduct it normally.
Testing Rules
Required members:
judge, instructor on the shore, assistant (drowning), driver of a motor boat.
Required equipment: 1 motor boat, 2 buoys, 1 board (surfing).
Swimming at a distance of 400 m
The trainer with the dog gets 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 follow 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 the shore.
In this exercise, jumping into the water and swimming behind the boat are evaluated.
Work in water
1. Towing surf with a person lying down. The trainer with the dog takes a starting position on the shore. In the water, 30 m from the shore, there is a board (surfing), on which an assistant lies. At the command of the trainer, the dog swims to the board. The man lying on the surf gives the dog the end of the rope, she takes it in her teeth and tows the surf with 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 a starting position on the shore. The assistant leaves in the boat. Approximately at a distance of 30 m from the shore, the assistant falls into the water, and the boat continues on. The assistant pretends to be drowning, waving his arms, but does not have the right to call the dog to him. At the command of the trainer, the dog quickly, as soon as possible, swims towards the drowning person. As soon as the drowning man gets the opportunity to grab the dog by the coat, the dog turns and tows him to the shore. The dog should not actively grab the drowning man with his teeth. Two attempts are allowed.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture. The exercise is considered completed after the report of the trainer to the judge and the award of the final score.
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 passing tests, safety rules must be observed.
When performing all exercises, two motor boats must be in the water. All people sitting in 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, by which you can easily lift the dog out of the water.
Tests can be carried out in still water bodies. In the event of adverse weather conditions or heavy seas on the water, the judge has the right to postpone the test if it is impossible to conduct it normally.
Testing Rules
Required members:
judge, instructor on the shore, 2 assistants (drowning), motorboat driver.
Required inventory:
1 motorboat, 1 life buoy, 1 fetching object (section of a floating boat rope with a diameter of 5 cm and a length of 30 cm).
Work in water
1. Towing an unconscious person; the dog starts from the boat.
The trainer with the dog, together with the assistant, get into the boat, which then moves away from the shore by about 50 m. The assistant 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 assistant, who, at the moment of her approach, lies motionless on the water. The dog takes the helper by the 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 with the dog stand in their starting position on the shore. Two assistants in a boat sail 50 m from the shore. One assistant, on the move, falls from the boat, which continues to move parallel to the shore for another 20 m. The second assistant, the lifeguard, jumps into the water while the boat continues along the coast. The rescuer swims up to the drowning man and calls the dog to him. At the command of the trainer, the dog swims towards the people in the water. The rescuer, who supports the drowning man with one hand, grabs the dog's fur with his free hand, after which the dog tows both to the shore. The dog should not take swimmers by the teeth with their hands. Two attempts are allowed.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
3. Towing the boat to the shore.
The trainer with the dog, accompanied by four more people, get into the boat, which leaves about 50 meters from the shore, after which the engine is turned off. At the command of the trainer, the dog jumps into the water. The trainer gives the dog a rope in the teeth, and it tows the boat to the shore. Two attempts are allowed.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
4. Fetching from the shore life buoy.
The boat moves away from the shore by about 40 m. The assistant falls from the boat into the water, the boat continues to move on. The assistant pretends to be drowning, waving 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 his teeth and swims to the drowning man. 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 report of the trainer to the judge and the award of the final score.
Obedience (see above) -- 50 points.
Stage D (RH-W D)
Stage D consists of the following exercises:
Swimming 100 points
Retrieval 100 points
For exercises 1.1 and 1.2, or 1.3,
or 1.4 minimum 50 points awarded
Shipping 100 points
For exercises 2.1 and 2.2, or
2.3 or 2.4 minimum 50 points
Maximum score 300 points
General rules
When passing tests, safety rules must be observed.
When performing all exercises, two motor boats must be in the water. All people sitting in 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, by which you can easily lift the dog out of the water.
Tests can be carried out in still water bodies. In the event of adverse weather conditions or heavy seas on the water, the judge has the right to postpone the test if it is impossible to conduct it normally.
Testing Rules
Required members:
referee, shore instructor, 2 assistants, 2 boat drivers.
Required inventory:
1 motorboat, 1 life buoy, 1 fetching object (a piece of floating boat rope with a diameter of 5 cm and a length of 30 cm).
Of the exercises from 1.1 to 1.4 and from 2.1 to 2.4, each test participant must complete only four exercises by lot. The draw is conducted 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 may be performed simultaneously by several (maximum three) competitors.
Trainers with dogs are taken in a boat to a distance of about 1000 m from the shore in such a way that the dogs can then follow 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 go further than 20m, so that the dogs remain under continuous observation. Dogs should calmly and fearlessly swim to the shore. They can go with the flow and are not required to come ashore at the exact 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 must be allowed to rest for at least an hour before proceeding with further work.
Fetching
1. Rescue of a drowning person (start from a boat).
The trainer with the dog sits in one boat, the assistant, representing a drowning man, in another. Both boats depart 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. The drowning man and the 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 sail in a boat. At 30 meters from the shore, first one assistant falls into the water, then, after about 20 m, second. At the command of the trainer, the dog swims up to the first drowning person. He grabs her hair with his hand. Then the dog swims to the second drowning man, takes him by the wrist with his teeth and tows both people to the shore.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
3. Surf towing with a person lying down (start from the shore).
The trainer with the dog takes a starting position on the shore. In the water, 30 m from the shore, there is a board (surfing), on which an assistant lies. At the command of the trainer, the dog swims to the board. The man lying on the surf gives the dog the end of the rope, she takes it in her teeth and tows the surf with an assistant to the shore.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
4. Towing a drifting boat (start from the shore).
The boat is towed 30 m from the shore. There she is left to drift with a rope hanging from the side, and the second boat returns to the 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, looks for a hanging rope, takes it in his teeth and tows the boat to the shore.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
Delivery
1. Delivery of the life buoy (start from the 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 sails along the coast for another 20 m and stops. The trainer throws the lifebuoy in the middle between the boat and the drowning man, who waves his arms, calls for help, but does not call the dog to him. At the command of the trainer, the dog jumps into the water and swims to the life buoy. She grabs the rope of a life buoy with her teeth and delivers it to a drowning man. The drowning man holds on to the circle, the dog tows him to the boat. The drowning man is lifted aboard. The boat returns to shore. The dog swims to the shore following 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 the boat, which is immediately removed. The trainer with the dog stands in the starting position on the shore. The trainer puts a short rope in the teeth of the dog, with 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 rises. A dog tows a boat with a person sitting in it to the shore.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
4. Delivery of the rope from one boat to another.
The trainer with the dog gets into the boat, in which there is a 30-meter rope. This rope should untwist 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 command of the trainer, the dog jumps into the water. They give her the end of the rope, and with the rope in her mouth she swims to the second boat, where she gives the rope to the driver. The dog then returns to the first boat and is taken aboard. The boat is heading towards the shore, leading the second one in tow.
The trainer can accompany the command with a gesture.
The exercise is considered completed after the report of the trainer to the judge and the award of the final score.
Good afternoon reader, not so long ago we came to the conclusion that we have absolutely no information on our portal dedicated to our smaller brothers, rescue dogs.
Yes, it is to them, the four-legged companions of the rescuer and the hope of a person in need of their help. Usually people call such heroes like this: “ Dogs of the Ministry of Emergency Situations“, “Rescue dogs”and other names, dogs would be more correct” Search and cynological service“
Back in 1996, on June 20, an order was signed and issued on the creation of a search canine service of the Centrospas detachment, since that time, dogs have been taking part in any rescue operations that require finding victims. The development of this service began rapidly. At the time of this writing, more than 1,800 victims have already been rescued by four-legged fighters.
Rescue dog, who is it?
When we talk about rescuers, we imagine strong men in full technical equipment, but dogs don’t have this, their main “weapon” against it is their nose and sense of smell. Thanks to a good sense of smell, the dog will lead its owner to the place of the blockage, where there may be a person, or help the rescue team find people lost in the forest.
Almost every day for such a dog begins with training in the form of a game, because training and education is the basis for a successful operation to search for victims. For example, with a dog they go to an initially unfamiliar place (abandoned construction site, quarries, factories, forest), and hide from it. The task of the four-legged friend is to find you, if he does this, he will receive a reward in the form of a treat or a toy. It is worth noting that each dog (several dogs) has its own owner, who conducts training and raises a pet from puppyhood.
Let's see what breeds are rescue dogs and their place of service.
Service in the structures of the Ministry of Emergency Situations is carried out by dogs of the following breeds
- labradors
- shepherd dogs
- spaniels
- terriers
- pit bulls
- ridgebacks
- rottweilers
- Giant Schnauzers
- likes
- staffordshire terrier
- fox terriers and even spitz.
Dog calculations are divided into:
- Mine Investigation Service
- Mountain avalanche service
- Search for the bodies of the dead
- search and rescue service
- Water rescue service
- Search for victims by scent trail
At the time of this writing, the search and cynological service of Russia has 470 cynological crews, including volunteers. It should be noted that in Russia one of the highest levels of dog training.
Given the fact that canine calculations cannot be provided systematically, but young dogs and new participants require long, painstaking training, the situation with the involvement of dedicated volunteers suits everyone. When volunteers need specific assistance, specialists help in training, for example, safety measures. As a result, competently operating groupings are obtained, from among which, on the whole, groups of Moscow and the region, Kaliningrad, Kazan, and Crimea stand out. The nicknames of individual dogs and their trainers are well known - outstanding experts in their field. These are Labrador Irga and cynologist Mikhail Tipukhov from Stavropol, who won the "Constellation of Courage" competition in 2015, Irina Fedotkina and her pupil were recognized as the "Best Cynologist of the Ministry of Emergencies of Russia" belgian shepherd Farta from Kazan, on their account more than 300 effectively carried out rescue operations, first class rescuer Alexei Bochkarev and his labrador retriever Bernie (veteran of his craft) from Moscow, they distinguished themselves during rescue operations in Beslan and other places. And how many still unnamed names!
Dogs rescue people affected by man-made disasters, look for missing mushroom pickers, being on duty at the beaches and stations of the State Inspectorates for Small Vessels and in other hot spots.
Since its inception, canine crews of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation have taken part in a huge number of rescue operations:
- they found mines in places of military operations, such as Croatia, Kosovo, the Chechen Republic;
- they rescued people in Neftegorsk (Sakhalin, 1995) after earthquakes;
- 1999 was the time of mass disasters that occurred in Turkey, Greece, Taiwan, Colombia, Russia (terrorist acts);
- they found victims of the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka and so on.
Cynologists say that medals, unfortunately, are not given to brave and smart dogs. But the realization that they are helping the owner is above all for them.
Essential Skills for Rescue Dogs
- Socialization (friendly attitude towards others)
- Obedience
- complaisance
- Strong constitution (not for all breeds)
- Endurance
- Do not be afraid of an aggressive external environment (frost, wind, showers)
- Psychological preparation (the dog during the task, nothing should be distracting)
All these qualities are determined by special tests that are carried out with a puppy from the age of 3 months!
How do you know that a puppy can and has the talent of a rescuer?
Probably it's like people, from birth, a dog should be born a rescuer. Do not forget about the physical and psychological qualities of the pet. If a puppy is very mobile from childhood, loves to play, and is always interested in something new, these are good signs.
During further training, game form it will be easier to instill search skills. It is worth noting that for a dog, the realization that he saved a person comes only with the first real case. The rest is just a game. When it is not possible to smell a person (heavy smoke, building dust, other extraneous odors), dog training plays an important role.
Reference:
- It takes up to 1.5 years to train a four-legged specialist. Game form of learning. Pet preparation starts from 6 months, the dog can pass its first qualifying tests not earlier than its age reaches 1 year.
- Rescue dogs are used in different situations: search for dangerous explosive devices in mined areas, search for victims of blockages, avalanches, landslides.
- A four-legged pet works only in tandem with its cynologist. This is called cynological calculation. The owner understands his own pet well, conducts classes with him and can help to adapt to different conditions such as flying in an airplane, helicopter, or staying in a mountainous area for a long time.
It is unlikely that a more devoted creature will ever appear in the history of mankind than a dog. And now, 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 devotion 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 disaster) or rescue on the water - all this is feasible for our sometimes defenseless comrades. Where do they get the strength to overcome such difficult trials?
Finding those lost in the storm
The very first rescue dogs, which began their career several centuries ago, were looking for travelers lost in a storm. Surely you have ever seen paintings that depict large shaggy dogs with a barrel around his neck. Service dogs of the St. Bernard breed due to their endurance, excellent physical qualities they found and warmed them with a strong drink brought in a barrel, and then led the lost travelers to the people. The most famous of these rescuers was St. Bernard Barry, who even had a monument erected in a 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), inflicted a knife wound. The dog survived, but he could no longer save anyone.
Search for people under the rubble
Distinguishing the smell of a person from the mass of other smells under the rubble a meter high is considered the most difficult job. But our devoted friends cope with this task too. 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 lives of people themselves. For example, the guide dog Dorado saved his blind owner, 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. A crowd of fleeing people demolished the Labrador several floors below, but after a while the owner felt his pet poking his nose at his feet. With the help of a dog and a colleague, the man went outside, after which the building collapsed. Rivera considers himself indebted to his faithful dog for his life.
Along with the Labrador Dorado that day for 12 hours a day, another tailed worker worked at the site of the tragedy - a service dog named Bretan. As part of the Texas Ground Zero search and rescue team, the two-year-old dog helped save the lives of people in trouble.
Rescue of the drowning
As they say, the salvation of the drowning is the work of the drowning themselves, of course, but even here we can rely on our faithful four-legged comrades. Handsome Newfoundlands possess excellent qualities for carrying out this service. These dogs are physically strong, they are not afraid of any waves, their powerful tail like a steering wheel helps to accurately choose the direction, and 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, at critical moments they are simply irreplaceable. And the effort it takes to raise a rescue dog is worth it. One trained dog saves the labor of dozens of people.
Newfoundland dogs are used in the rescue service on the water. This breed got its name from the island of Newfoundland, where these dogs were first bred and used by humans.
Newfoundlands are excellent swimmers, endowed with the instinct to bring various floating objects ashore, as well as to help drowning people. Therefore, they have established themselves as excellent lifeguards on the water.
It is known, for example, that during Napoleon's escape from the island of Elba, he fell into the sea and was rescued by a ship's Newfoundland dog. Many drowning people spae in the UK Newfoundland Bob, for which he was awarded a gold medal. In 1919, during a storm, the ship "Et" ran aground and suffered distress. The captain sent a sailor ashore to report what had happened, but he could not swim and drowned. The last hope was the Newfoundland Tang. The dog swam to the shore, and the people in distress, including the infant, were saved.
In Vyaino Bay (Estonia), a Newfoundland Lados Bay (owner M. Mägi) prepared to help people on the water rescued a 16-year-old girl. The wind carried her, unable to swim, on a rubber mattress into the open sea. Attempts to catch up with the girl and help her were unsuccessful. Then the "Save" team sent Lados-Bey, and he did an excellent job with his responsible task.
The Newfoundland has long been used to carry heavy loads. An engraving by Philippe Ringley (1740-1833) shows a black and white Newfoundland pulling a loaded sled in the foreground among a group of other dogs. In 1837, a decree was issued in London prohibiting the use of dogs for the carriage of goods.
Newfoundlands were also used as guard dogs. And although this type of service for the Newfoundlands is secondary, it should be borne in mind that, if necessary, despite its friendliness, the Newfoundland nl will offend its owner.
In our country, the first experiments on the use of Newfoundlands in the water rescue service were carried out in the summer of 1975 in Estonia by the Water Rescue Society (OSVOD). In 1976, an experimental group of Newfoundland dogs was created, with which "work was carried out according to a specially developed methodology. At about the same time, similar work began in Leningrad and somewhat later in Norilsk and in the Latvian SSR.
The main activity in the use of rescue dogs in Tallinn is carried out by the section of Newfoundland dog owners of the Estonian Republican Service Dog Breeding Club DOSAAF with the active participation of the Tallinn City OSVOD.
The city committees of DOSAAF and OSVOD approve and support all the undertakings of the section aimed at developing rescue service on the water with dogs. At the Tallinn rescue station OSVOD, the section built a small berth for three or four-seater boats, and a shed for storing sails and other property. On the bank of the Pirita River, a special sports and training ground is equipped. All this serves as a basis for conducting the necessary educational and training sessions with dog owners and their four-legged helpers.
The training of puppies, future rescuers of people on the water, begins with educational training, carried out according to the generally accepted for all service dogs methodology. When the puppies reach 4-6 months of age, classes are conducted with them on the initial (preliminary) general training of puppies. At the same time, we conduct short-term, usually monthly, with classes twice a week, training of dog owners on the basics of keeping, educating, and training dogs.
One-year-old dogs are prepared according to general exchange rate training, according to the method generally accepted in DOSAAF, but taking into account the appointment of dogs for rescue service on the water. Additionally, animals are trained to enter the boat and swim in it, swim behind the boat up to 500 m.
Having mastered OKD, they begin special training of dogs. At the same time, their owners are trained in the methods and techniques of special training and, in addition, in the methods of helping drowning people: artificial respiration, massage, wound dressing, help with fractures, bruises, etc. During this period Special attention refers to the development of skills in dogs to swim behind a boat up to 1000 m, to find on the water and take out fetching objects, tow drowning people to the shore, etc.
When starting to train Newfoundlands, you need to know that the opinion that existed among dog breeders that Newfoundlands are stupid dogs and can only be trained from the age of two is wrong. Animals of this breed are perfectly trained, you just need to have with them good contact and correctly, taking into account their previous preparedness and individual features, build each occupation. It is necessary to strive to observe the principle of gradual introduction of complications, not to overload the dogs, always monitor their general condition. You need to learn to "read" the mood of the dog in her eyes. As soon as you notice indifference, "boredom" in them, you need to stop classes, provide the dog with active rest (a short walk in a free state for the dog) and then continue classes. Do not give commands, including repeated ones, too loudly, rudely. This does not help, but rather harms the training. Moreover, this is unacceptable when carrying out patrol service on the shore, in the presence of people having a rest.
In our section, general training of dogs, as mentioned above, is usually started when they reach one year of age, and by two years the animal is completely ready for rescue service.
In the initial, educational training of puppies and young dogs - future water rescuers, special attention is paid to teaching them to swim, first near the shore, and then behind the boat. At first, swimming behind the boat is limited to 50-100 m and gradually brought to 1 km.
Special training also includes training the dog to calmly enter swimming facilities, sit, lie down, stand on them, swim and go ashore on command.
Teaching a dog these skills is recommended as follows. The trainer with the dog at the left foot makes a guiding gesture with his right hand and, at the same time giving the voice command "Forward", directs the dog to the boat or other watercraft, and comes after it. On the command "Sit", "Lie down", "Stand" forces the dog to take the appropriate place and position, which can periodically change on command. The dog must calmly, without leaving its place, swim on the floating craft and, at the command "Forward" and with a gesture, go ashore from them.
Teaching a dog to fetch in the water is done by giving the command "Fetch" by voice and gesture right hand in the direction of the thrown object with a slight tilt of the body forward. Classes are held without equipment.
The trainer with the dog at the left foot comes to the shore, sits it down, throws the fetching object into the water (at first near the shore, gradually further) and the “Fetch” command and sends the dog for the object with a gesture. The dog must swim to the object, bring it afloat to the shore to a depth when the paws of the animal reach the bottom. It is not necessary to carry items ashore, since when saving drowning people, the dog must deliver them through the water to the shore to a shallow place.
At the next stage of special training, the dog - the future rescuer - is taught to swim behind the boat. This is done by giving the voice command "Forward", with a guiding gesture with a slight tilt of the body forward if the dog is sent for the boat by an assistant, or "Come to me" if the dog is called to the boat by the trainer swimming on it. While the dog is swimming behind the boat, the speed of the boat should be balanced against the physical abilities and swimming experience of the dog. The swimming distance of the dog increases gradually and is brought up to 500 m.
All techniques are practiced without a leash, with the exception of the techniques "Forbidden to take food scattered on the ground and given by an outsider" and "Cessation of unwanted actions." Here, at first, a short leash is used. For the correct execution of commands (gestures), dogs are rewarded with the exclamation "Good" and a treat (the latter is used less often in well-trained dogs).
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Rescuer is not a breed, it's a calling!
No, they can't provide the first medical care, cannot give a person life-giving moisture and will not relieve pain. But rescue dogs are able to give more - life, by finding the victim in a timely manner and notifying people about it. Representatives of what breeds can engage in such a necessary and important activity, and what skills and abilities should they have?
Rescue dog breeds
In general, history keeps a lot of evidence of devotion and fearlessness of our four-legged friends. They showed remarkable courage and ingenuity during hostilities, saved people during floods and other weather disasters, sacrificed themselves for the sake of children. Moreover, these heroic deeds are sometimes not at all connected with the breed of the dog.
But still, to work in harsh conditions and in connection with the specifics of the activity, certain innate qualities are required from the dog, which the following breeds possess:
- - this breed has long been intended for rescue work in high mountain areas, it is not for nothing that they can anticipate an avalanche in a few hours and notify people about it. The second name of this breed is "avalanche dogs". They can dig out a person buried under the snow and drag him to a safe place, or lead rescuers to this area.
- - these representatives work in the conditions of another element - water. Them anatomical structure and physiological properties are intended for finding an animal in water, even ice, without harm to health. This is the third eyelid, paws and auricles special structure, interdigital membranes and not wet coat. Newfoundlands have incredible diving and swimming abilities, as well as an amazing instinct to rush to help along the slightest sign indicating that the person is in trouble.
- – for a long time protecting livestock from predators, and living in harsh conditions, representatives of this breed have acquired a lot of qualities necessary for survival. Naturally, one cannot do without developed intellectual abilities in this matter. Becoming an almost universal dog, German Shepherd She also showed herself in rescue work.
- - the history of the breed is such that from its very beginnings, dogs have already been rescuers. They helped fishermen catch fish and also looked for people during storms. In addition, due to their strength and endurance, they were draft animals and helpers during the hunt. Modern intellectual abilities allow these dogs to memorize two hundred commands!
Of course, this is not the whole list, and representatives of other breeds often participate in rescue operations. But in these dogs, whatever you say, the rescue instinct is in the genes.
Among the skills required from rescue dogs, two main ones can be distinguished - this is to find a person who is in trouble and inform his fellow people about it. Of course, some strong dogs they are able to get the victims out from under the rubble, dig them out in the snow, but more often they still need the help of specialists. In addition to a subtle scent, physical strength and a desire to work, a number of requirements are imposed on the dog:
- Stable psyche. A working dog should not react to what is happening around, but be completely focused on the task at hand.
- Kindness and benevolence. four-legged lifeguard should be glad to see the victim he found, and not growl and grin, frightening. In addition, usually during an emergency, the scene is filled with many people - doctors, rescuers, etc., and the dog should not show alertness or aggression.
- Ability to make decisions independently. In critical situations, when a person is not around, the dog must be able to act without waiting for a command.
- Obedience. Dogs that like to run away when they sense freedom or see another dog are absolutely not suitable for the role of rescuers. This work requires strict discipline and the fulfillment of the task at any cost.
Is it worth saying that a dog can be the only chance for salvation, risk yourself and not demand anything in return? These smaller friends can perform heroic deeds, which once again confirm their selflessness and fearlessness.
See how rescue dogs are trained:
