Advanced Tracking & Detection

This is always nothing more than a game for the dog, it loves to play and pleasing you by finding what you ask it to is a great reward for the dog.

Anyone registering for this course will also receive upon payment a FREE  Tractive tracker for their dog and a FULL year-paid subscription.

  There are several different ways of teaching scent detection.

 When training for this it is important to know that this can be overwhelming for your dog, the scent pool can be small or in some cases very large.

 • Class size 4-6 students

 • 8 hours usually over 4 days of up to 2 hours each.

 • Cost $545

 • Dates will be determined depending on the availability of class time.

This is not HRD - Human Remains Detection.

However, is required before HRD classes

What is not allowed on the course:
• Choke Collar
• Prong Collar
• Electric shock collar

A regular collar and/or harness is all that is required with a leash.

We promote a positive attitude with the dogs so they enjoy the time.

What is required for the course:

Canine Requirements:

The canine must be at least 12 months of age at the time of certification testing.
 The canine must be in good health and proof of vaccinations provided at the time of testing.
 The canine must be of sound physical structure and temperament.
 The canine must be of adequate strength and size to negotiate the terrain.
 The canine must be friendly and well-mannered

Handlers Requirements:

The handler must produce written training records in the discipline that they are testing.
The handler at the time of certification testing should be in good health.

The canine and handler must pass the Obedience Control Evaluation for Search and Rescue, before testing in any discipline.

This is an advanced course and you will need to have your dog very focused to conclude this part of the course.

The following is an outline of the course agenda:

This is a minimum of 6 hours.

Held over either a 4-day course of 1½ hours each day or 2 days of 3 hours each.

Prerequisite, Sent Detection course completed successfully.

    • This is more about learning what your dog will do when tracking and how to work your dog in different environments and terrain.
    • Working your dog on and off leash, including tracking with a change of direction.
    • How to get your dog to respond upon finding articles/person.
    • Recall how to get your dog to come back and notify you upon finding the person.
    • Some minor agility, as your dog may need to go under a road etc. and we need to know the dog is not afraid to.

Dogs are not taught to play together, as these are working dogs, so interaction with the dogs is not allowed. Each dog will be brought in one at a time for their time of training, with all handlers watching, but their dogs are out of the training area.

Make sure your dog has adequate water and shade for the time in the field. There is very little time to take your dog back to the car, so prepare for it to be outside most of the time.

Handlers must dress appropriately for the outdoor time of the course including adequate sustenance if required.

The canine and handler must pass the Obedience Control Evaluation for Search and Rescue, before testing in any discipline.

Obedience Control Evaluation for Search and Rescue:

The purpose of this testing is to ensure that the canine handler has reasonable control over their canine to perform search and rescue functions.  This shall be administered to the canine team every two years as part of the recertification process.  

The test is not required if the same canine team attempts another certification in another scent discipline within the same two-year period unless this agility was not included in those tests.

The canine must perform the following to the satisfaction of the evaluator:

Heeling ability:
The heeling will be done either on or off leash and will include (2) right turns (2) left turns and (2) about-face turns.  This will include a slow, normal and fast pace.  The order of events is up to the evaluator.
    
Come ability:
The canine will come when called from a down-stay (Off leash).
    
Vehicle Load ability:
The canine will load into a vehicle on command (Off leash).
 The canine will allow a stranger to take the canine from the handler on the leash and load them into the handler's vehicle.

Agility Section:
This is a short exercise. The dog must successfully navigate each obstacle on the course. The dog is only allowed three attempts at each obstacle. The handler may encourage the dog but cannot physically assist the dog on any of the obstacles.
    
The following obstacles are mandatory

Elevated plank walk
The canine will walk over a 2" x 12" x 8' board suspended at least 24" but no more than 36" off the ground without falling, (off leash).  A similar catwalk may be used at the discretion of the evaluator.
Tunnel
The Canine will navigate a tunnel-style enclosure with at least one bend in it.
Sea Saw
The Canine will navigate over a plank balanced on a mechanism to tip, with a certain amount of control over the plank. The handler can encourage along the way, but not touch the dog.

Search and Rescue Trailing Test:

 Purpose:  
To establish a minimum level of proficiency and reliability for dogs used in scent discrimination trailing for missing and lost persons.

 Need:  
The canine team is required to demonstrate their ability to follow an aged, realistic trail to locate and identify the subject(s).

Age of Trail:  
The trail shall be not less than twelve (12) hours and no more than twenty-four (24) hours old.

Length of Trail:
The trail shall be not less than 1.6Km or more than 2 Km.  The trail shall follow a wandering pattern and include a minimum of seven (7) changes in direction.

Trail Layer:  
The trail should be set by two or more individuals.  If a minimum of two subjects are not available, the trail may be set by one person as long as there are two subjects at the end for scent discrimination.
    
Terrain:  
The terrain shall be either urban, rural or a combination of both.  The trail shall travel over a variety of surfaces which may include pavement, grass (field), foot trails, water hazards and/or wooded areas.  If the location is not subject to foot traffic, two deliberate fresh cross trails will be set just before the commencement of the evaluation.

Scent Material:

The handler will be provided with bagged scent material from one of the trail layers.  The handler will not know the identity of the owner.

Time:  
The team must locate the trail layer in a reasonable amount of time exhibiting handler strategy and search skills.  The handler must articulate the dog’s indication of the proper subject to the evaluator before the start of the trail.  The team must follow the path taken by the subject, considering the weather conditions, wind direction and traffic.  The handler must advise the evaluator of the location of the victim using mapping/GPS technology.   The handler must complete a Search and Rescue form or equivalent search report.

    Evaluation:  

Evaluation is Pass/Fail.  The dog must identify the subject at the end of the trail.

Note:  Certification is valid for two years upon receiving a PASS evaluation.