OVSAR uses all working breeds of dogs, such as Border Collies, German Shepherds, Labradors, and Golden Retrievers. We like to begin training a dog as young as 12 weeks of age, but older dogs are also considered. Wilderness search dogs must be trained and certified in one of three methods: tracking, trailing ,air scent  or cadaver. 

Dogs first taught to track or trail may later be trained in air scent. However, dogs first taught to air scent can rarely be taught to track or trail because air scenting is the easiest and most natural for the dog. Often air scent dogs naturally combine all three methods to locate a subject. Dogs instinctively use their noses to locate things in everyday life, so the real training is to teach them (1) to locate the lost person or article and (2) to notify the handler that the subject or article has been found. This notification is called the alert.

Dogs can locate people because all humans have an individual human scent left behind by the 40,000 skin cells dropped per minute. Air currents carry these cells that dogs can detect with their sensitive nose.

Search Dog Training - General
Training search and rescue dogs is a gradual and careful process because each dog responds differently. All dogs progress at different rates and their reactions to training challenges and rewards will also vary. OVSAR regards training as a team effort. We use a variety of subjects for mock search exercises and we rely on each other for support and advice. OVSAR uses the training methods described in this section but is not restricted to these only. 

TRACKING SEARCH DOG

Phase I
The tracking dog is worked in a harness attached to a 20 - 30 foot lead. The handler puts the harness on the dog just as the team (handler and dog) get ready to work. This way the dog associates the harness with the tracking and is more focused to start working. To start training a tracking dog, we begin by having a familiar subject drop a scent article and make a scent pad, then walk 10-20 feet, laying food treats in each step. The subject then hides in an easily detected location. The handler shows the scent pad and scent article to the dog, then the handler gives a command such as "find" or "search." The dog follows the scent and the treats to the subject and is given enthusiastic praise and a reward such as more treats or a favorite toy. We continue these short searches using fewer treats each time. We also use different terrain's, such as fields, yards, parks, lightly wooded areas, etc., but with no heavy vegetation or concrete surfaces in this phase.

Phase II
We continue using the scent article, scent pad and a few treats (every 5-10 steps), but we increase the length of the search. These short searches should always be in a straight line. When the dog starts getting the idea of the search, keep him from seeing the victim hide. We add more variety to the locations used, and even use some with heavy vegetation.

Phase III
In this phase we add curves and eventually stop the track treats. As the dog's ability increases, we start adding distance and age to the track and continue exposing the dog to a wide variety of terrain's. The use of the scent article is always needed but the scent pad must be phased out as the dog becomes more accomplished.

Phase IV
When the dog is reliably finding the victim through these phases with no treats and a trail of ten minutes or more, we next use a subject unknown to the dog. We add variables to the searches as the dog is able to successfully complete each level. 

Phase V
Two people are now used: one as the victim and one as a distraction. The subject leaves the scent article and both the subject and the distraction walk away together. At a predetermined distance the distraction breaks off and leaves the search area while the victim continues on. The tracking dog must stay on the subject's track and locate the subject, even though the distraction turned in another direction. 

The tracking dog team (handler & dog) should be able to consistently work trails up to 24 hours old that are 1-2 miles long in all terrain's. This phase is basically for the tracking dog that is ready for the tracking certification test. 

TRAILING DOG
A trailing dog works similarly to the tracking dog. A scent article is used so the dog can pick up the subject's scent and trail. The dog may waiver from the person's actual track by several feet by cutting corners and using the wind to his advantage. Again, the dog is generally in a harness attached to a 20 -30 foot lead. 

AIR SCENT SEARCH DOG
The air scent dog works off lead, ranging back and forth in an area to pick up the human scent left by the subject. Ranging often takes the dog out of sight for several minutes at a time, so the handler must trust his dog and listen for an alert. Once the dog gets the subject's scent, he moves in to its source. The dog must then "alert" by either barking while staying with the subject or by returning to the handler and "indicating" her in some way that the handler should follow. The dog then "refinds" the subject and leads the handler to the subject. 

To train an air scent dog to issue a bark alert, we start training the dog to bark on command as young and as soon as possible.The bark alert is usually the hardest area of the search sequence to get the dog to do reliably, so we start early on this behavior.

New handlers usually want to progress quickly through the phases, but we have found that if the foundational steps are not solid and reliable, the whole process will eventually fall apart. We stress a very slow, steady training sequence for the new dog to assure a solid foundation.

Phase I
Team members start with runaway searches for the new dog. A person the dog is familiar with holds the dog while the handler excites the dog and then runs away (into the wind) and hides. All this is done in full view of the dog with the reward, preferably a toy, in the runaway subject's hand. The handler then gives a command such as "search" or "go find" and releases the dog. When the dog reaches the handler it is "party time" with lots of playing and praise for the successful search. A search, no matter how short or long, is a big game to the dog, so it is always "party time" when the dog finds the subject. We continue with the runaway searches increasing either distance or adding terrain variations. In general, we keep the searches in a straight line and always into the wind during this phase.

Phase II
For those dogs that we want to give a bark alert, we now add the requirement that the dog barks when he reaches the subject. Usually the subject has to give the "speak" command. Once the dog barks the handler comes in and helps reward the dog with play and praise. 

For dogs that alert with a refind, the training varies. Once the dog reaches the subject, the handler calls the dog back to her and gives a new command to tell the dog to return to the subject, such as "show me" or "refind." In the beginning of this training, the subject will most likely have to call the dog back, then the handler and subject reward the dog enthusiastically. We continue with short, straight searches but add variations in terrain, location and subjects. Begin using people familiar to the dog as subjects with the handler working the dog.

Phase III
Now the dog is ready for "blind searches" where the subject hides without the dog watching. It is essential to work into the wind so that the dog has the best chance to catch the human scent. As the dog becomes more accomplished at this, we make the searches longer and vary the terrain. If the dog fails to bark or do a refind, we return to Phase II because we do not have the solid foundation needed to continue.

Phase IV
Next we use subjects unfamiliar to the dog and add variables such as length (distance and time) and new terrain. We also begin starting the search in another place than where the subject started from. 

Phase V
Again, as with the final phase for the Tracking Dog, Phase V is for the search team (handler and dog) that is ready for the wilderness certification test. The team needs to be ready to search for long periods with short rest breaks, covering a wide variety of terrain in all kinds of weather. In spite of all the work, we ensure that the dog finds searching fun by doing a variety of searches, from short, fun runaways to the 1 - 3 hour search. Wonderful rewards and praise always follow each successful exercise.

OBEDIENCE TRAINING
During search training we run through obedience exercises during search training, but the actual obedience training is the individual handler's responsibility. We recommend a formal obedience class for socialization, basic commands, and experience. 

Following dog obedience training, OVSAR dogs must pass an extensive obedience test in order to represent OVSAR at various functions, such as fire department open houses, parades, and school demonstrations. To progress to mission-ready status, the dog must pass a test for search certification in one of the three specific search disciplines. The standards for this test are similar  to the standards established by the National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) and the State of Indiana.