Training the Disaster Search Dog

By Shirley M. Hammond

Quick response to natural and man-made disasters can mean the difference between life and death for trapped victims. This is a step-by-step guide to training dogs to the FEMA level for this important... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1929242190
• ISBN13: 9781929242191
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Dogwise Publishing
• Length: 186 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

One of the best

This book had me hooked from page one. I have now read more than a dozen books on SAR work for dogs and "Training The Disaster Search Dog" is one of my favorites. No other book has so clearly helped me decide on indication cues and other little things that I need to do a varriety of different types of k-9 SAR work. While this book is more directed to the disaster search dog, and I am training dogs more for field tracking, I still found the training and advice to be some of the best I have read.

Skill based for training progress

Training the Disaster Search Dog came highly recommended by a trainer at a weekend disaster training seminar I attended. The book is clearly written and focuses on building basic skills step by step. Each step is explained so you know how to train it and why it is important. It was also helpful to have diagrams, dimensions and instructions for building training aids.

Calm, Common Sense

Knowing Shirley and having been there for the evolution of the Disaster Search Dog standards, I can say this is the best - and, so far, only - book to use for this category of training. Completely understanding what needs to be done and stating the process clearly, her book is the starting place for anyone contemplating FEMA Disaster Dog work. You need to be part of a team to complete the training, but this book will tell you what you need to do and help you make the decision to commit to the process - or not!

Bored with Agility? Turn your dog into a Disaster Search Dog!

Shirley is upfront on what it takes to become a Disaster Search team. The team is the dog and handler and while the dog may have the skills the handler also has to be prepared to handle the disaster scene. Shirley explains how agility skills can be translated into helping your dog become a Disaster Search Dog as part of her training triangle. Shirley also comprehensively lays out training goals and plans and how to implement them with your dog to make you successful in this new training. The Appendix information is helpful for determining if your dog would be successful as a Disaster Search Dog or if your puppy would be. There's also useful instructions on how to build your own training equipment. The book uses photographs and diagrams to explain concepts to further learning. Shirley will be a guest author at CSDogBookReview in August 2006 and many are looking forward to her visit!