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Post by ripley on Aug 5, 2004 21:57:58 GMT -5
OK, don't laugh, but I think Ripley would be pretty good at this!
I'm full of questions for anyone who has experience with S&R, but my main question is "Are there any size limits?"
If the dog has to be a certain size/breed, then I could probably get a larger dog if I really wanted to do S&R. There are loads of dogs at the shelter I volunteer at that I know would be good at it too, but if size is relatively unimportant (Ripley's as fast as most GSD's I've seen, and can keep up running for hours on end) it'd be a great thing to do with him that could benefit someone other than me. ;D
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Post by Richard on Aug 6, 2004 8:34:53 GMT -5
OK, don't laugh, but I think Ripley would be pretty good at this! I'm full of questions for anyone who has experience with S&R, but my main question is "Are there any size limits?" If the dog has to be a certain size/breed, then I could probably get a larger dog if I really wanted to do S&R. There are loads of dogs at the shelter I volunteer at that I know would be good at it too, but if size is relatively unimportant (Ripley's as fast as most GSD's I've seen, and can keep up running for hours on end) it'd be a great thing to do with him that could benefit someone other than me. ;D That sounds like an interesting idea RG....have you talked it over with Ripley yet? Off the top, your question about Ripley's size is a good one. In our SAR group, we have a Sibe, a Golden and mostly GSD's. We do also have a large standard Poodle. If you think about what is required to do SAR work ( lots of good books out there too ) which has a lot of components of Police Dog work, you'll know why the larger breeds are used. Most of the training standards used by Civilian SAR groups are those used by Police Dog Services across the country. Here in Ontario, Civilian SAR groups are certified to Provincial Standards as set by the OPP. That doesn't say you can't join an SAR group and you and Ripley learn the basic skills of tracking and area/article/people searches..if you have the desire to go for it, then do it. You also can do it for fun (and enjoy being out with your buddy doing something different!). SAR takes a large time comittment and requires regular training not only on weekends but during the week too to keep the handler/dog's skills up to an accepted level. As well, there is a cost to all of this. Training is not cheap and while some Civilian SAR groups are funded by donations, a lot of the costs are still absorbed by the handlers themselves..this includes equipment, training ect ect. -Richard
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Post by ripley on Aug 6, 2004 12:58:51 GMT -5
Thanks for the info!! I've got Ripley going in baby steps toward tracking, I want to do that with him regardless of whether he is accepted in S&R or not. Also, another question.. Is there an age limit to the HANDLER? I'm 14, and I'm fairly sure I'll be 18+ by the time Ripley is fully conditioned and reliable for work (Unless he's a tricky little brat with more brainpower than Einstein) but, in case he was ready to start sooner, would I be allowed into a S&R group? I think I'll pick up a book on it. Do you recommend any good ones? Thanks again for your help, K9Rocky!
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Post by Richard on Aug 6, 2004 19:15:23 GMT -5
To learn about SAR and what it takes, read a book by a very inspirational woman:
Caroline Hebard
So That Others May Live: Caroline Hebard & Her Search-And-Rescue Dogs
For even more stuff there is tons on the internet about SAR dogs, how to select them ect ect ect. As well, goto Amazon.com and search for SAR books...there are many there too.
As for your age, think in terms of you having to go a distance away from your family for days at a time...you are out in the wilderness perhaps and living with whatever supplies you have on your back...that is challenging enough for anyone, but I'm not going to be a wet blanket here, but you can start training now (or find a SAR group where you live for more information and perhaps a visit during their training) and as you get older you can take on more responsibilities.
-Richard
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Post by ripley on Aug 6, 2004 21:28:09 GMT -5
I'll order that book, and see afterward if *I* have what it takes. Ripley, of course, can do anything... as long as he likes it. Sometimes I do wish he was a larger dog, because he really COULD do anything. Which is creepy.. Thanks again for all your help, I appreciate it! ;D
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Post by Richard on Aug 6, 2004 21:53:15 GMT -5
No worries there RG, my pleasure....check the local library first for that book....saves ya a few bucks...
-Richard
ps: as for Ripley...sometimes the tallest of giants are in the smallest of beings....
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Post by ripley on Aug 6, 2004 22:13:14 GMT -5
Ah, and he sure knows it. I'll find out, though.. I'm hoping to buy or rescue a GSD sometime in the future, that might be a better bet if Ripley is a little bit too "Vetically challenged".
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Post by sheeba on Aug 19, 2004 18:42:31 GMT -5
As for your age (I'm 15) be a trend setter. If you become good at it maybe other responsible, dog loving teens may also get involved. (which would be a good thing, right? )
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Post by ripley on Aug 23, 2004 3:07:09 GMT -5
K9Rocky, I need help again.. My mom is really weakening to the idea of buying a GSD pup for S&R work.. She had some questions though that I couldn't answer, and I thought maybe you might know.. -At what age is best to join a SAR group? How intense is the training? -Do you do all the training through the group, or can the basics be done independently? -what kind of testing is done on a SAR dog? Are there temperament & training tests that a dog is required to pass before it is accepted into a SAR group? Pardon my ignorance, I just haven't found any articles anywhere that really explain things like that... Thanks a bunch.
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Post by Richard on Aug 23, 2004 11:22:07 GMT -5
Since every Country is different in its Civilian SAR requirements, let's go to the experts... www.imsaru.org/index.html (this is the Idaho Mountian SAR group) www.nasar.org/ (National Association for SAR) *****And this page is probably the best information I've found for those who are serious about SAR...it's the standards for the Maine SAR group...even I winced when I was reading the requirements..... www.mesard.org/standards.htm-Richard
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Post by ripley on Aug 24, 2004 19:50:02 GMT -5
Wow, the MESARD site's requirements really put things into perspective.. I'd still love to do it, though. It'd just be that much more of a challenge and that much more rewarding if my dog & I were such a successful team to make the cut..
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