Search Dog, "Amigo"
Black Labrador

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Search Profiles We Train For

Civilian Search Dog Handlers train in the same manner as RCMP Dog Handlers, with the following exceptions - we do not train our dogs in apprehension, and we do not train our dogs to search for illegal substances. In all other aspects we train much the same way. Listed below are the profiles our dogs may be trained for. Some profiles are "specialty profiles" and are not mandatory. In addition to the search profiles, we also train our dogs in obedience and controlled agility.

Person Search (First year profile, mandatory) is the basic profile all our dogs must excel in. This profile is the core reason our group exists. To search for, and locate a missing person. The search for a lost person is often a life and death situation, and the dogs MUST be proficient and absolutely reliable in this profile. This is a mandatory profile. The dogs work off-leash, covering an area (or zone) assigned by the search manager. The handler guides the dog in a methodical pattern through the area, but the dog is allowed to range farther than in most other profiles. In this manner, a lot of ground can be covered in a relatively short period of time.

Large Article Search (first year profile, mandatory). The dog that will search for and find large articles (such as backpacks, articles of clothing or other items of significant size) can help provide valuable clues in a search for a missing person such as direction of travel. The conditions or situations under which articles are found may also give clues as to the state of mind of the lost individual.

Search Dog, Jazz, searching for large articles.

Small Article Search - or Evidence Search (second year profile, mandatory), involves a search for very small items such as buttons, bullet casings, jewelry, or other similarly sized objects. This profile is usually worked on-leash for careful control although handlers have the option of working their dogs off-leash. A small area is designated for the dog to search and the dog and handler move slowly, carefully and methodically through the area, literally covering every square inch of the ground. The dog keeps its nose down to the ground, similar to tracking, and searches very, very carefully.

Ditch Search (first year profile, mandatory). This is essentially a combination of a large article and an evidence search, performed on-leash for safety. These searches are done along roadside ditches - usually for evidence or clues.

Alley Search (second year profile, mandatory). This profile too, is a combination of a large article and an evidence search, performed on-leash for control. These are searches done to help locate evidence which may be either large or small. Special training is done in this profile due to the nature of the areas searched. An urban alley is an area highly contaminated by distracting scents, neighborhood dogs and often, cats. So the dogs must learn to work close to their hander in a controlled way and it must learn to ignore distracting sights, sounds, and smells. Alley searches are primarily performed on-leash, but may be worked off-leash if the dog works well under verbal control from its handler.

Tracking/trailing (optional). In this profile, the dog is worked in harness on a long line. The dog is trained to follow the scent of a moving person. This profile has two levels - one is rural, one is urban. All dog handlers are encouraged to train in this profile (this ability can also aid the dog on an off-leash search), but certification in this profile is optional to the handler. It requires ongoing training, so normally the amount of time one can dedicate to training in all the profiles is the deciding factor on whether or not a dog and handler will certify in this profile.

Search Dog, Agar, running a track.

Water Search (optional after first year certification). This specialty profile is markedly different from other profiles in that it is performed from a boat on a body of water. The dog and handler ride together in a boat with a driver. The dog is trained to indicate the presence of human scent rising from the surface of the water. The scent source could be many feet under water, and the scent could surface some distance from the source due to wind and current. The boat is driven slowly, back and forth in a given area while the dog literally hangs over the side of the boat to sniff the air near the surface. The dog's actions in the boat dictate how an area is covered once scent is detected. The handlers must learn to read their dog's actions in the boat, and must be knowledgeable about how temperature, current and other factors can affect scent in a body of water.

Human Remains Detection (optional after first year certification). This is another specialty profile that is very different from the mandatory profiles. In this instance, the dogs are trained to search for and locate human remains. The training of dogs in this profile is is primarily for animal-scattered remains, but covers most situations under which human remains may be found, based on historical data for past cases in various regions.

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