Well hello SAR members Been on a break for a few months, getting my butt kicked in gear in other areas of my life (work, school, gym).. but I just wanted to see how all you guys are doing in training and/or live searches.
Nothing new here, still on break from SAR started school and started at a new gym here. Those are the newest additions to the life of Whitney. Titan has LOVED every minute of the last few months, he gets much more play time, and we actually do a lot more nose work too, which he loves. Any advice to keep him up on his nosework would be awesome, we trained live find/area for almost 2 years, so I am trying not to let that dwindle too much during our down time.
Anyways, I know a few just started out and a few have been here for a while. Just interested in what y'all are up to in your world with your pups. Hope everything is going well... looking forward to hearing from you all.
Tygo is a tough-headed pup and I felt like my bond with him was weak some time around 9 months old... he will be a year this Saturday. Some months ago he attacked a pup and puncture his ear. So this inspired me to seek out another trainer. So fourth trainer and I struck gold. My current trainer was trained by Ivan Balabanov and has two malinois and a GDS as his personal dogs. He is also a trained decoy/helper. He can read Tygo so well and brings our the very best in him. I go to training weekly to work on restructuring play so that it is less adversarial. We also have worked on obedience. The training is all one-on-one and I have now decided that I don't have use for dog classes. I get so much more out of one to one and the trainer can really zero in on my timing... which always seems to be the problem. So now I have a dog that has much better obedience, an awesome recall and I can use toys more effectively in training and as reward.
How this translates into SAR... the obedience is much more of a teamwork feel, so Tygo sort of seems to comply with intention and cooperation rather than compulsion or suspicion. The SAR work itself was not a problem, more our teamwork if that makes sense.
Currently, we are working on solidifying our alert (jump alert). I'm sort of regretting that choice of alers, as this 50 year old body getting hit by a 60 lb dog is well... probably not the smartest idea, but he does it and I'm am trying hard not to flinch. He is good at his work and seems to stay on task and seems to understand what to do once in the scent cone. We are also just starting on large-source cadaver tissues and that goes okay. He is still learning that this is something to alert on.
We have been getting our sign offs including handler sign offs like ropes, low angle rescue systems, navigation, crime scene management, radios and just finished our "unexpected night out"... only with a tarp and two bags of pine needles. Oh that felt great! ;-) NOT. Hopefully in a week we get our "hot load" on a helicopter done. Anyway, keeping to our quest which is easily a year and 1/2 away but I really enjoy the training and my training groups.
Glad Titan is doing well! I've never done nosework but it sounds like great fun.
Our last training was really great. We have mostly been going out to rural areas practicing quick live find scenarios. I've been handling one of the trailing dogs and am getting good feedback/compliments from the team. The Sil Sanders tracking sem really helped with line handling and I'm starting to be able to read this particular dog really well. We have TWO puppies on our team now so training sessions are full of cuteness. One of the dogs had a find in Oso, supposedly. I never heard the details and I wasn't there, but it sounds like the conditions were terrible.
I've slowed down training quite a bit since passing academy because I have sciatica. It took forever to get diagnosed and I was unable to go for walks for a while. I'm back on my feet conditioning and planning on a backpacking trip in June.
Oh! And I got in touch with a local breeder I really like and she's thinking of breeding her search dog in a few years, so that fits with my timeline perfectly. I didn't realize this but I've actually run into her at obedience trials before and was admiring her shepherds.
I'm hearing you about body pain. I struggled with plantar faceitis and now that is not bugging me but I have an inflamed IT band at the hip. Wo is me. ;-) Hope the sciatica starts behaving!
I just got back from 5 days of seminar at Western Carolina. one day bone id human vs animal, one day health for the working k9 and three days of advanced cadaver Level 2 class. No pictures; not allowed but I am just home trying to decompress. It was intense - some great things I saw Beau do that really impressed me but some areas where we need to improve. Scenarios much tougher and more real world than any certification test...so it may take me a few days to process everything....to "recover" from the facility ( I would lie if I said it was not somewhat unsettling) and to structure a plan to correct the deficiencies we did find and to build on the really neat things we also found.
Karin: Sounds like you guys are on the right path! Glad you were able to find an amazing trainer. I have found a decent one, but not one specifically experienced with GSDs and that would be simply amazing.. I am lookforward to hearing about your further progress!
Kaimeju: That's awesome! I wish I would have done what you are doing before starting SAR. I think it would have built a better foundation for me. Looks like that's exactly what you are doing. Awesome!! Super excited about your future pup!! Finding the right breeder is the hardest part! Looking forward to pictures and updates when the time comes.
Nancy: I have never been to a seminar of any kind for SAR though it would be very very educational. I envy you in that area. Glad Beau did well in some of the areas that you didn't expect. I hope you aren't beating yourself up over the others. While I dont' knwo you well in the sense of family, I believe through posts and PMs I know you well enough that you will wokr through that and come out much stronger.
Thanks guys for responding, I was really wondering how everyone was doing for a while and finally just decided to be nosey I enjoy hearing abotu everyone's lives (K-9 and not too).
Anyone have exciting plans for the Memorial day weekend?
I'm really glad you started this thread. I love hearing about where people are and what it's like where they are working, since SAR varies so much by area and discipline. I always learn something new!
Hey Whitney, what are your plans with Titan with respect to SAR? What does your trainer say now about his behavior that lead to the SAR vacation... vacation from SAR that is? have fun with a house full O'dogs.
Karin I'll PM you a little mroe details.. but basically it's ME who isn't completely confident with Titan in that setting anymore and if I were to work a lot with him on it we could be fine. In the mean time I have just offered to be a volunteer and come when I can until a few things change.
I am working away with Eyra to get her ready for her HR certification, probably looking at early fall when the heat starts to break. Also need to re-cert her for wilderness live find before June 26 so have to find a cooler evening when we can get that done. And I am working to get my USAR dog ready for her FEMA certification test late fall. Have training both Saturday and Sunday this weekend (and an HR seminar the following weekend), but I do hope to get Monday as my day "off" to do nothing, or at least a day when I do not have to see the inside of a car
Aweseom Dino! Sounds like you are keeping busy too!! I told Nancy this, but I really envy that you guys are goign to seminars about this stuff. Curious... I see that Eyra has ScHII AND SAR.. how did that work? From my experience, if bitework has been done on a dog, typically SAR won't take them.. I'm intrigued.
Taz and I just went Saturday for our first tranning with a great search team that was willing for us to come and train with them. We have just gotten started as Taz is only 6 months old, we have a long way to go and a lot to learn. He is doing great and gets super excited when I get his harness out, he knows what we are going to do. Wish I had pics to post from Saturday, but I forgot my camera. Maybe as we are doing our "homework" before the next tranning I can get some pics.
I know of a couple of other SAR dogs with ScHH titles and also groups that will take SchH trained dogs.
In my case, there are a few people in my group that are active in SchH so they know and understand what it's all about. But bottom line is that each dog is carefully evaluated and it does come down to the individual dog. Eyra is absolutely rock solid in terms of temperament and nerve.
There is another thread about this...I will find the link.
One thing about going to seminars is you meet people that you see time and time again over the years. I'm at my breeder in a seminar. And I've met people who have given me countless help and advice over the years it is a wonderful way to prevent the inbreeding that often occurs when a team only trains within itself
EDIT-plans for Memorial Day weekend. Clean out my truck from the seminar. And we have water training all day Saturday with our NEW 8hp 4cycle gas engine. We have gone through 2 trolling motoris so this is new ground for us. We got 4 cycle because it has far less fumes than 2 cycle and this will make our boat actually usable on some searches.
We were supposed to have water training Sunday but due to the location we have access to and the water levels/tide/currents we have to reschedule. So instead we will train at a junk yard, or perhaps I should call in an auto salvage yard. Either way, it's a fun place to train.
Water training made me think... I have to teach Tygo to SWIM! That is a sign off I will need. He seems to love water, but doesn't let go of the bottom. Got to get my wetsuit out and get in with him. This weekend is supposed to be warm... might have to do that.
That will be our water training.
Awesome you guys!! I love hearing how you all are doing!! Taz, share those pics when you get them we'd love to see!!
Dino, I got the link and have looked.. real interesting. Changes some things a bit.
Nancy, good luck with your truck.. I just saw you post about it but I haven't looked at that thread yet! Haha. Good to know about the seminars, how do you learn about them?? I never hear anything like that, but I would like to go to one, one of these days.
Karin, let us know how the swimming lessons go!! Sometimes I wish I hadn't given Titan the chance to learn to swim.. he is addicted, be careful
A lot of seminars are annual events and, once you go, you get put on the mailing list. Others are announced on K9 SAR specific forums. [usually not a lot of discussion on the ones I participate in, but seminar announcements etc.]
I am on hold as well, Whitney. I am helping out my team for the time being.
I don't know if you remember but we sorta met when you were in CA? You came to my training class with a friend but we didn't get the chance to be introduced, I do believe you watched class for a little while. Wow how long ago was that? It's been quite some time.
My dog has a medical issue and the vet said no SAR for us I posted about it in the health section, unfortunately not too many people responded, it is a very rare condition. She has a sub ararchnoid cyst on her lower spine. Not only is it very rare it is even more rare in the GSD, the vet that did the MRI said he has never seen it in a GSD. They can fix it with surgery, very delicate surgery, but these tend to come back, so I am still in limbo, I don't think she can do SAR even after the surgery though. She can do a lot but SAR is just too strenuous.
Dutch Karin, wow, I really enjoyed my UNO. Wasn't it fun! LOL My dog was awake all night watching something in the forest, you could tell something was out there as her head would move to watch whatever was wandering around out there! LOL Glad you got that done and congratulations on becoming an apprentice!
I am on hold as well, Whitney. I am helping out my team for the time being.
I don't know if you remember but we sorta met when you were in CA? You came to my training class with a friend but we didn't get the chance to be introduced, I do believe you watched class for a little while. Wow how long ago was that? It's been quite some time.
Where you located? I'm assuming you are CARDA. So sorry about your pup. I can only imagine how disappointed that feels. But you sound like the type of person who will adapt well to whatever is next for you two.
I too have a dog that was up all night on the UNO. He slept by my side for MAYBE 20 minutes. I was so jealous of the people who said their dogs snuggled with them all night.
Take good care!
P.S. I'm up at Tahoe and train with the Truckee and Nevada County groups.
Hot, humid and miserable in DC this week, but it's supposed to get better.
Had a great time at our HR training weekend at the beginning of the month. Lots of great learning and great to meet new people and watch nice dogs work Next up, I hope to go to NC for a 3 day work shop with Randy Hare at the end of the month. Should be a great time!
Lucky you for the Randy Hare workshop; should be great. Between the NAPWDA test, WCU Adv HRD and upcoming Old Dominion in September I am seminar-ed out. We will be training with a county agency next month who wanted to get together on water.
Pretty much in maintain mode hear due to the recent heat. Unghh.
Wish us luck, having had to cancel our last scheduled attempt, we are set to get our helicopter hot load sign off this Sunday! Woop!
Tygo has been having some GI problems that have slowed us down a bit lately in training and having to cancel out on a few trainings. I'm hoping that he is on the mend.
I finished my navigation courses and went on a backpack trip and was the navigation queen. I LOVE maps, compasses and GPS units.
Helo training is so much fun!! We did one in May. Hot loaded, flew and hoisted own, did a quick search, and hoisted back up and then landed. Loved it!!
Here is me and my Mal getting ready to hoist down.
Very very cool DinoBlue! And a mal to boot. Love the photo. What exactly is a "hoist"? I'll be loading, flying, dropping off and doing a search I think.
Very very cool DinoBlue! And a mal to boot. Love the photo. What exactly is a "hoist"? I'll be loading, flying, dropping off and doing a search I think.
Hoist - we were lowered down from the helicopter in a wire from a winch. Everyone was wearing hoist harnesses and we were clipped in with safety lines in the helicopter and then switched to the winch clip as we approached the door before we were lowered down to the ground. Our training hoist was only about 15 feet or so, but on a real deployment it will usually be a lot higher. I will add that this training was not for my wilderness team but for my USAR team so the requirements are a bit different
(I have a GSD for wilderness/HR and a Malinois for USAR)
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