K9 Search & Rescue – Trailing
Author: Paul Hamman
This write-up provides the reader with basic information about Search and Rescue (SAR) in general, with the main piece being on the journey my dog Mallie and I have gone through being a deployable K9 Search and Rescue – Trailing Team. I want to emphasize this writing isn’t the hard and fast only way; it’s what we did. The first 5 topics below will be covered briefly, while topic 6, “Our path,” will be presented in a little more detail:
- The SAR Members
- SAR Teams
- The K9
- K9 Search Disciplines
- The K9 Handler
- Our Path
>>> The SAR Member
Most individuals involved in Search and Rescue are volunteers and receive no compensation for equipment (radios, GPS, packs, etc.), need the required training, and obtain certifications.
They devote many hours of their time, continuously training to be proficient in SAR Techniques and Procedures to assist those lost and their families.
>>> SAR Teams
Many SAR Teams are 501(c)(3) organizations relying on donations and fundraisers to cover operating costs (i.e., Team Insurance, Training Locations that may charge for use, visiting trainers, etc.).
Each SAR Team is different, but the basic requirements for their members tend to be similar. Some require “special” certifications because of their team type and the geographic areas where they do most of their work, such as mountain, urban, air-sea, and ground.
SAR Teams don’t usually conduct any search until they are requested by law enforcement, the Department of Natural Resources, or the responsible agency managing the search.
>>> The K9
The question is often asked, “What breed is best for Search and Rescue?” The answer is any dog that is motivated to do the work. If the dog is motivated by something (food/treat, tug toy, ball), it can usually train toward certification as a search dog.
Some dogs are bred to be search dogs, while others flat out like to search since it is a game for them. Our two dogs were not bred to be search dogs. They both are rescues, one from Pennsylvania and the other from Louisiana. They just liked playing hide and seek.
>>> K9 Search Disciplines
K9s train in various disciplines (Live Area, Trailing, Tracking, and Human Remains Detection, to name a few). Many dogs work toward and get certified in one or more disciplines. Each discipline has its own characteristics, but as with most things, there can be some crossover.
The following describes the essential elements of each discipline.
Live Area Dogs
As the name indicates, dogs work in an assigned area the Search Manager sets. For example, they work “Off Leash” and are to find any human in their area. Once they find an individual, they will alert to indicate to their handler that they found someone.
Trailing Dogs
This type of dog is “Scent Specific,” meaning they are looking for a specific person. A scent article (hat, shirt, handkerchief, sock, pillowcase, etc.) is presented to the K9, and they are given the command to start the search. They can also scent on car handles, steering wheels, beverage cups, keys, etc. Anything the subject has come in contact with can be used for the scent. They are on a leash and follow the trail based on the subject’s scent. They will typically weave back and forth to stay in what is called the scent cone.
Author and Mallie Trailing
Tracking Dogs
This type follows the footsteps of the subject as opposed to following the scent of cone-like trailing dogs.
Human Remains Detection Dogs
Formerly called cadaver dogs is self-explanatory. These dogs are trained specifically for human remains and won’t alert on animal bones or other animal parts.
>>> The K9 Handler
The most basic requirement for the K9 Handler is to be physically capable of performing the search tasks and the terrain of the search area. Other skills include being comfortable with GPS, mapping, and using a compass. Knowing where you are at all times is critical.
Dressing appropriately for the area you’ll be working in is also a must. Most sites where we do our searches and training have significant undergrowth, including briars. Downed trees, hidden rocks, and fast-moving water are also hazards we come across that need to be accounted for not only for the handler but also for the K9.
Providing first aid and CPR, not only for the people but also for the K9, is a must. Online courses and in-person courses are available to meet this requirement.
>>> Our Path
Many people ask us how we got into Search and Rescue. The answer for us is straightforward. It is because of Mallie, our chocolate Labrador Retriever. We rescued Mallie through Labs 4 Rescue out of Connecticut. She was found somewhere near New Orleans. Because we said we wanted her, she was placed on a transport en route to Connecticut, and we met it while en route.
We got her home, and she was terrible at walking on a leash. She was always pulling, and her nose was on the ground. It was like she was looking for food. We maintained contact with the foster she was with in Louisiana and found out Mallie had been loose for an extended period. With that, we knew we had some work to do with getting her to be more manageable on the leash. Then, out of the blue, my wife commented, “I bet she would make a good search dog,” and that was the start!
A couple of phone calls later to National Search and Rescue (NASAR) and the Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Council (PSARC), we received a list of teams in our area. Chester County Search Dogs (CHESCO Search Dogs) was the team we contacted. We met with them (without Mallie) to observe their training and to see if SAR was something we wanted to get into based on the time commitment, etc. We decided to join CHESCO Search Dogs, and our SAR journey began.
Since we didn’t trust Mallie off-lead, the only option was to try her as a trailing dog. CHESCO didn’t have any trailing dogs on the team, nor did they have anyone with much experience with trailing, so we all started from the ground up, doing some of the same drills as the live area dogs.
Mallie and I, more than her, had a steep learning curve to get to where we wanted to be, NASAR Certified as a K9 Trailing Team. Her natural ability was evident right away. I was the one that needed the training more than she. We trained at least twice a month with the team.
During the first two years, seminars played a considerable part in our training. The expertise of the trainers with American Mantrailing and Police Working Dogs (AMPWDA) and John Salem with Georgia K9s was invaluable. Each trainer had a wealth of knowledge about trailing, would provide suggestions, and usually had something concrete I could take away to work on.
Key elements we worked on during training over the first two years were: The Start/Presenting the Scent Article; establishing the direction of travel; lead control; recognizing when Mallie is on/off scent; her body language at turns, and her proximity alert (what she does when she knows she is close to the subject).
This is an obvious statement, but the start is critical. We worked on this in every training session and during every seminar we attended. The key was getting a routine and doing the same thing every time. From getting out of the crate, putting the harness on, hooking up to the collar, moving toward the scent article, changing the lead from the collar to the harness, presenting the scent article, the command to search, and observing her as she works to get the trail. My other responsibility was to hold my place and watch Mallie’s body language to see if she had committed to a direction. This might take a few minutes, but I learned to be patient and let her do her thing.
Since I am “attached” to Mallie with the long lead, I had to recognize all of the clues Mallie told me during the trail. How did I know if she was on track or not? Mallie’s indicator is relatively simple to read, her nose is down, and she keeps a steady pace. One thing that really stuck with me from an AMPWDA Seminar was that 90-95% of training trails should be known instead of “blind” trails. Blind trails mean the handler doesn’t know anything about the course. Doing known trails is the best way to see what your dog does at a turn. Mallie may go past a turn by about 5 to 10 yards, and then she’ll pick her head up, OR she’ll turn on her own and work back. At this point, I hold my ground and tell her to work it out. She’ll work around the area checking for scent and then enthusiastically commit. There are times she might go the wrong way, and by knowing where the turn was, I can bring her back to the location, let her work it, and see if she picks up the actual trail. I don’t consider this a negative; it’s a necessary learning experience to know if I missed a clue Mallie gave me. She often gets on the right trail, and we work to the subject.
Mallie’s proximity alert is also simple to read. She digs in, her pace increases, and she pulls hard to the subject. Once at the subject, she turns and looks at me excitedly, knowing that she’ll be rewarded with multiple treats and praise. Her tail goes a mile a minute, and I have a happy dog!
In 2019 my wife and I retired and moved to our home in DE. We joined DelMarVa Search and Rescue and continued training. This worked out well since a couple of our members were experienced with trailing, and during the training helped to point out things I may have missed. With DelMarVA SAR, Mallie and I achieved our NASAR SARTech II Canine – Trailing certification in 2020. In 2022 we re-certified and are current until 2024.
The teams we have been associated with only recognize NASAR Certifications to be qualified to go on searches. Mallie and I have participated in two searches and were on standby for two other searches.
This is my editorial comment, but Volunteer SAR Teams can be a tremendous asset to Law Enforcement if we are requested as soon as someone goes missing. If called within hours, we can assist with trailing, but in many cases, it’s days before our assistance is requested. We would have more positive results if we could change this process. We are trained professionals and are available at no cost. We stand by our motto, “So that others may live.”
Our Timeline:
Sept 2014 – Rescued Mallie
2016 – Joined CHESCO Search Dogs
April 2017 – Completed NASAR SARTech II certification
April 2019 – Retired, moved to Delaware, and joined DelMarVa Search and Rescue
June 2019 – Attended GAK9/CHESCO Search Dog seminar with John Salem
Sept 2019 – Attended AMPWDA Seminar and passed the Man-Trailing Level 1 (Basic) certification
Nov 2020 – Passed NASAR SARTech II Canine – Trailing certification
April 2021 – Attended AMPWDA Seminar and passed the Man-Trailing Level 3 (Distinguished Expert) certification
Sept 2022 – Attended AMPWDA Seminar and passed the Man-Trailing Level 3 (Distinguished Expert) certification
Oct 2022 – Completed renewal testing for NASAR SARTech II Canine – Trailing certification
