Training

Training a SARDA search dog is a huge commitment which can only be made by highly dedicated mountain rescuers. SARDA South Wales has a detailed set of training standards, against which all of our handlers and dogs are regularly examined. In addition to training the dog, handlers must also be highly proficient in medical and rescue skills used by the mountain rescue teams.

A typical training programme for a novice handler would be around 12 months minimum experience with a mountain rescue team, to gain the skills relevant to all rescues. After this period, prospective handlers can think about getting a puppy. Actual search training can begin very early with puppies, by building a good relationship between handler and dog, and playing lots of fun hide & seek games with young puppies. By making finding things fun from a young age, a grown up dog will always be keen to search.

From around 6 to 12 months old, puppies can start being taught basic searching skills. This starts with "Run outs", where a body runs away from the puppy and lays on the ground close by. The whole process must be made as exciting as possible for the puppy, and must be repeated over and over again.

Once the puppy has mastered finding on Run outs, the training programme advances through building on these skills with other elements such as Indicating, where the dog returns to the handler after finding, and takes the handler right to the body. This entire process is then repeated, and built up into larger search areas with more bodies, until the dog becomes proficient and can be assessed.

Assessments are stressful times for handlers and dogs alike, but ensure that all SARDA graded dogs meet the rigorous standards necessary to be safe and effective on emergency callouts. The assessment is by no means the end of the training, all dogs and handlers train on a weekly basis to develop their skills and learn new techniques. The handler and dog team are then regularly assessed to ensure that both are still meeting the standard. There is always a need for bodies throughout the training, and this is where anybody can help - if you are interested in becoming a body please contact us.