1 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Canine Search Specialist Training Unit 1: Canine Selection and Screening

2 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Objective Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to describe the components of canine selection

3 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Enabling Objectives Explain why there is a need for a standardized screening process Identify the pros and cons of choosing a puppy versus a young adult Describe the characteristics of a qualified disaster canine candidate

4 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Introduction — Canine Selection and Screening

5 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Purpose Select a canine candidate Which will train to CE level in least amount of time With highest likelihood of success That can do the job on deployments

6 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Rationale for Standardized Selection Process Improves Certification Evaluation success rate Reduces training time Is able to be repeated by multiple screeners Gives objective basis for selecting or rejecting a canine candidate Aids in maintaining a viable canine element at all times Provides a means to support a canine-in- training prior to certification

7 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Puppy Versus Young Adult

8 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Puppy — Pros More options on breed, sex of dog Control of early training Early exposure to US&R environment Socialization Drive and reward building

9 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Puppy — Cons Low prediction of success based on puppy tests Intensive training delayed until puppy is 6 to 12 months old Will take longer to train Physical and temperamental problems may develop when puppy matures

10 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Young Adult — Pros What you see, is what you get High prediction of success Reduced training time Can screen for physical problems

11 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Young Adult — Cons Dog must be at least 12 months old Limited selection of qualified dogs Unknown early socialization and exposure May not have access to dog’s genetic history (pedigree) if wanting to breed dog

12 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Puppy Selection Should be based on success and quality of both parents Should be based on success and quality of previous same parent litters

13 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Breed Selection Working breeds statistically more successful Labrador Retrievers German Shepherds Golden Retrievers Border Collies Belgian Malinois

14 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Standardized screening will select best candidate of any breed or mixed breed dog

15 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Screening and Selection Process

16 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Screening Process Dog is at least 12 months old In good physical condition Performed in an unfamiliar area

17 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Selection Process Components Sociability Drive Nerve strength Physical screening

18 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Sociability Comfort around dogs and people Critical for dog’s ability to cope with the pressures of deployment

19 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Sociability Test 1 minute tie out with handler out of sight Person with dog walk by Stranger retrieves dog

20 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Select canines that Attempt to greet or ignore stranger and canine

21 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Drive Innate impulse that prompts a canine into action The more instinctive, the more reliable Desire for the reward

22 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Measuring Drive Independent possession Play drive Hunt drive

23 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Toy Possession and Play Drive Test Initially plays with handler and familiar toy Plays with unfamiliar person with favorite toy One minute observation of dog with toy

24 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Independent Possession Test Determine level of internal motivation for reward article Handler plays with dog on flat ground Once dog is engaged with toy, ignore the dog for 1 minute

25 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Select canine that Plays vigorously with toys, guards or carries Maintains focus on toys Presents toy to play or self-plays with toy

26 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Play Drive Performed on rubble Handler plays with dog using familiar toy Hands dog off to stranger

27 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Select canine that Engages with stranger Plays enthusiastically Never loses interest in toy or play

28 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Hunt Drive Test Assesses dog’s willingness to search for non-visible toy Performed on easy to moderate rubble (FSA level) Dog is allowed 15 minutes to acclimate to rubble prior to test

29 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Hunt Drive Test (continued) Handler holds dog at base of rubble while helper throws toy on rubble Process is repeated and dog is released after varying delay times, from no delay to 1 minute Start point is relocated at least one time

30 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Select canine that Runs up on and navigates rubble with little or no hesitation Hunts out of sight of handler for at least 1 minute on at least one hunt test Will run directly on rubble from any start point Maintains focus on search Holds toy until returns to handler

31 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Nerve Strength Emotional stability in uncomfortable and unfamiliar environment

32 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Incorporated into Play and Hunt Tests Willingness to traverse different surfaces Comfort in moving across a moderate rubble environment Will retrieve toy from a hole or depression

33 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Select canines that Enter the rubble by the most direct route and without delay Hunt for toy at a fast pace Show little or no hesitation on surface changes Search until locates toy or times out (1 minute)

34 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Select canines that (con’t) Retrieve toy and carries back to handler Stay in search area and maintains focus on search

35 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Physical Screening Screen for Hips Elbows Other breed specific issues (such as cataracts in Labradors)

36 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Other Screening Considerations Trainability of dog Focus on handler Makes eye contact Reacts to handler commands

37 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Specific Screening Tool FEMA US&R Proposed Process for Screening Canine Candidates Available on Disasterdog website (

38 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Components Measures Drive Nerve strength Sociability Defines Specific scoring criteria Pass/fail limits

39 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training

40 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training

41 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training

42 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training

43 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training

44 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Other Testing Considerations Train screeners to common definitions Screen in same location with same props

45 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Quick Field Screening

46 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Quick Field Screening Advantages Performed on-site Determines if canine is worth additional time Tests Repeated retrieves Hunt in grass, debris or under objects (vehicles) Elevated plank (park bench)

47 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Good screening eliminates the mediocre dog Always re-fixing the same problems Trainers are working harder than the dog Does not want to do the job

48 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training We have NO RIGHT to train a dog unsuitable for the disaster environment!

49 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training They may have another idea about their job! “A Friend in Need” by Cassius M. Coolidge circa 1870

50 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Screening does not guarantee success! It selects canine candidates most likely to succeed in the least amount of time with a regimented training program and dedicated handler

51 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Field Demonstration

52 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Summary and Evaluation

53 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Summary Explain why there is a need for a standardized screening process Identify the pros and cons of choosing a puppy versus a young adult Describe the characteristics of a qualified disaster canine candidate

54 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Evaluation Please fill out the evaluation form for this unit