1 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Canine Search Specialist Training Unit 3: Role of the Helper

2 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Objective Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to describe the function of the helper

3 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Enabling Objectives Demonstrate proper communication, technique, and timing Inside the remote alert box In an alert barrel On the rubble pile Effectively reward a search canine Improve reward-timing skills

4 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Introduction Thinking, communicating, timing and technique are key words to remember

5 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Importance Of The Helper Roles of handler, helper and trainer overlap There is an art and science to being a good helper Learning to be a good helper improves timing and your ability to read canines In alert training the helper is focus of canine’s attention

6 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training TO REPEAT: In alert training, the Helper MUST BE the focus of the canine’s attention

7 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Definitions

8 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Definitions Helper Handler Trainer Cueing Encouraging Reward

9 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Helper The person(s) who assist(s) the handler when training the canine Teaches canine to bark for someone other than handler When using remote alert box—will be inside box or on rope When using alert hole or barrel—helper is inside hole or barrel In the rubble pile—may be visible or concealed

10 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Handler The handler is the person for whom the canine is working

11 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Trainer Person who makes decisions regarding which technique is used to get canine to perform a specific task Trainer may be the handler, the helper, or a third person who is observing

12 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Cueing and Encouraging Cueing Technique used by handler or helper to precipitate a behavior Can be as obvious as banging a door up and down, or as subtle as body language Encouraging Occurs when canine has already independently started the desired behavior

13 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Rewards Can be toys or food, or a combination of both Tug toys are preferred over retrieving toys for two reasons Reward is given at the same spot as the find and can continue there with a game of tug It is not safe for the canine to chase a retrieving toy across rubble

14 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Toy Should be Semi-Rigid Durable Easy to hold on to Able to poke up through rubble

15 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Food Must Be self contained Be easy to swallow-no chewing Not contaminate area Be “high value” food

16 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Qualities of a Good Helper

17 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Qualities of a Good Helper Thinking Communicating Timing Technique

18 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Thinking Planning, executing, and evaluating the training sequence

19 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Communicating Helper to Trainer Handler Canine

20 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Helper communicating with handler and trainer Understand goal of exercise Know how goal will be accomplished Know how canine will be rewarded Repeat instructions Establish who has authority to change plan Develop contingency plan Debrief exercise

21 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Helper communicating with canine Convey positive attitude to canine Be enthusiastic and supportive Learn how to reward different canine temperaments Be aware not to overwhelm or over-stimulate the canine Debrief the exercise

22 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Helper communicating with canine

23 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Timing Timing can make or break an exercise Rewarding canine at correct and precise moment is critical If timing is off, helper may be encouraging unwanted behavior

24 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Technique Techniques must be adapted to canine’s temperament and level of training, and the goal of the specific training session

25 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Technique, cont.

26 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Temperament Soft Hard Stimulus threshold Drive level Manners

27 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Adjust technique to temperament Space Energy Eye contact Weight (forward or back) Stance

28 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Helper = Prey Helper (prey) moves Side to side or away Teases with toy movement Stops movement + hide toy to frustrate Barks restart action

29 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Level of training Imprinting Beginner Intermediate Advanced

30 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training What is the goal? Alert Agility Intensity Ignore distractions Helper interaction

31 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training General Helper Principles

32 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training General Helper Principles Check equipment Understand reward system Understand exercise goal Plan to achieve goal Repeat instructions

33 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training General Helper Principles (continued) Ensure good timing of reward Be enthusiastic and focus on canine Be flexible—have plan B Understand how the exercise ends

34 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Specific Helper Roles

35 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Specific Helper Roles Remote Props Alert Barrels Alert Hole Rubble Pile

36 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Remote Control Prop Trainer controls access to helper Helper delivers reward Good for inexperienced helper

37 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Alert Hole or Barrel Helper controls access Coordination Timing Limited visibility Must control lid!

38 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training The Rubble Pile Safety Agility Coordination Timing Technique

39 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Canine Training Techniques

40 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Training Techniques Runaway Pop-out Call out Bait and switch Cold shot

41 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Runaway

42 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Pop-out

43 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Call out Hey!

44 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Bait and switch

45 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Cold shot

46 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Dog leaves wanting MORE!

47 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Summary and Evaluation

48 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Summary Demonstrate proper communication, technique, and timing Inside the remote alert prop In an alert barrel On the rubble pile Develop an effective canine reward system Improve reward-timing skills

49 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Evaluation Please fill out the evaluation on this unit