Canine Search Specialist Training Unit 1: Selection and Screening

Unit Objective Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to describe the components of canine selection

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 Identify successful canine breeds

Enabling Objectives (continued) Explain the screening process and criteria Describe the characteristics of a qualified disaster canine candidate Describe the quick screening process

Introduction—Selection and Screening

Purpose Select a canine candidate Which will train to CE level in least amount of time With highest likelihood of success

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

Puppy Versus Young Adult

Puppy—Pros More options on breed, sex of dog Control of early training Early exposure to US&R environment Socialization Drive and reward building

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

Young Adult—Pros What you see, is what you get High prediction of success Reduced training time Can screen for physical problems

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

Puppy Selection Base on success and quality of both parents Base on success and quality of previous same parent litters

Breed Selection Working breeds statistically more successful Labrador Retrievers German Shepherds Golden Retrievers Border Collies Belgian Malinois

Standardized screening will select best candidate of any breed or mixed breed dog

Screening and Selection Process

Screening Process Dog is at least 12 months old In good physical condition Performed in an unfamiliar area

Selection Process Components Drive Nerve strength Sociability Physical screening

Drive Innate impulse that prompts a canine into action The more instinctive, the more reliable Desire for the reward

Measuring Drive Play drive and toy possession Prey drive Hunt drive

Play Drive and Toy Possession Test Play with any reward and with any person Initially plays with handler and familiar toy Plays with handler with unfamiliar toys Plays with unfamiliar person with favorite and unknown toys One minute observation of dog with toy

Select canine that Plays vigorously with toys Maintains focus on toys Presents toy to play or self-plays with toy

Prey Drive Test Assesses desire to pursue and capture prey Repeated ‘retrieve’, toy is thrown 10 times Dog is released after toy stops moving Dog must hold toy until return to handler May be lured back to handler

Select canine that Runs to toy Carries toy or returns with toy to handler Stays focused on toy, not distracted by environment Maintains or increases enthusiasm with each throw

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

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

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

Nerve Strength Emotional stability in uncomfortable and unfamiliar environment

Surface Sensitivity Unstable Rough Slick

Height Sensitivity Elevated 12 inch wide platform No center support Stable

Confined Space Dark Lighted

Sound Sensitivity Tools Pounding/banging

Nerve Strength Test Helper works dog with handler nearby Each test is performed twice to measure recovery and reaction

Select canines that Demonstrate no anxiety on each element May show some mild anxiety on first experience but recover and show none on second pass

Sociability Comfort around dogs and people Critical for dog’s ability to cope with the pressures of deployment “A Friend in Need” by Cassius M. Coolidge circa 1870

Sociability Test Around people Around dogs 1 minute tie out with person walking by Stranger retrieves dog Around dogs Person and handler walks by

Select canines that Attempt to greet or ignore stranger and canine

Physical Screening Screen for Hips Elbows Other breed specific issues (such as cataracts in Labradors)

Other Screening Considerations Trainability of dog Focus on handler Makes eye contact Reacts to handler commands

Specific Screening Tool Disaster Canine Qualification Screening Developed by D. Brownell, M. Marsolais, and P. Kaynaroglu Successfully used by many federal and state US&R teams Available on Disasterdog website (www.disasterdog.org)

Components Measures Defines Drive Nerve strength Sociability Specific scoring criteria Pass/fail limits

Sample scoring criteria

Necessary Modifications to Set-up and Scoring Hunt test is on rubble Scores are weighted Higher criteria for selection as Disaster Canine Candidate. Must meet 90% of Drive 80% of Nerve Strength 80% of Sociability

Weighted Score Sheet

Other Testing Considerations Train screeners to common definitions Screen in same location with same props

Quick Field Screening

Quick Field Screening Advantages Tests 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)

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

We have NO RIGHT to train a dog unsuitable for the disaster environment!

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

Field Demonstration

Unit Summary and Evaluation

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 Identify successful canine breeds

Unit Summary (continued) Explain the screening process and criteria Describe the characteristics of a qualified disaster canine candidate Describe the quick screening process

Unit Evaluation Please fill out the evaluation form for this unit