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TERRA PO Box 293366 Nashville, TN 37229 1.866.927.4601 |
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AREA SEARCH DOG [scent-specific] Air-scenting, area search dogs pick up human scent in the air (infinite supply from subject) instead of off the ground (limited residual lessens with time), allowing for a more direct path (generally quicker) to the current location of a subject through utilization of current wind patterns & weather conditions. TERRA deploys air-scenting, scent-specific, area search dogs in wilderness and urban environments. Air-scenting, area search dogs search in a free search or grid pattern to find human scent, or skin rafts, free floating in the air. This type of search dog is very efficient at clearing large search areas or heavily wooded, densely vegetated areas and at night, where human searchers may not be able to visually spot a missing subject or physically access areas. |
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Training Training begins in the form of “run-aways,” where beginner dogs learn subject loyalty and begin to learn that the game of hide & seek earns them big rewards, in the form of the most desired treats and toys. As training progresses, handlers extend the distance and time of searches and ask search dogs to think critically and problem solve under the distracting stress of variable terrain and weather exposure, multiple victims, roaming victims, and others, all to create real-life scenarios. All advanced dogs are trained to return to their handler upon locating a subject and perform an alert and refind, showing the handler where the subject is located, to ensure that the dog is able to work independently at a distance from the handler. Area search dogs are highly motivated, confident, and capable working partners.
Common Uses · Missing Hiker · Injured victims who have wandered away from a motor vehicle accident or other incident · Stranded subjects: due to injury, navigation, or weather · Overdue hunters and fisherman · Wandering elderly, Alzheimer’s patients, or mentally challenged · Missing depressed or suicidal persons · Missing patients who have wandered away from the nursing home or hospital · Runner/walker/cyclist who doesn’t return at the usual time · Missing child in the neighborhood, park, or woods · Missing persons in parks and large wilderness or agricultural areas · Hiding subjects in dense brush or woods
Common Questions What is the difference between scent-selective and scent-specific air-scenting, area search dogs? Scent-specific dogs are trained to ignore all scent except the primary scent asked for through the use of a scent article while scent-selective dogs will go to any human scent in the area. Scent-specific dogs are highly beneficial in emergency situations where the scene is “contaminated” by the multiple scents of responders, in a neighborhood or urban area where human scent is everywhere, or on a trail where there are multiple outdoor enthusiasts; residual scent from these “non-primary“ scents is still present long after the area is cleared. Therefore, scent-specific canines will not “false alert” on other nearby people, wasting valuable time if questioning them does not result in any leads. For example, when finding a lost hiker in a heavily trafficked area, it is crucial to select the missing individual, who could be injured and going into shock or not prepared to spend a night in the woods, over all others in the area.
What if the point last scene (PLS) is unknown? Handlers will set up search parameters based on subject knowledge. Area search dogs often begin their search at a place other than PLS, especially if their area assignment is in a different locale.
What is a scent article? A scent article is anything with an individual’s scent on it; common scent articles include: hat, sock, glove, shirt, undergarments, pillowcase, hairbrush, & toothbrush, among other things. IMPORTANT: it is crucial to protect the integrity of scent articles by leaving them alone. Let experienced search handlers properly collect and handle these items so they are not tainted, though sometimes this happens naturally through sharing.
What if there is no scent article? TERRA is unable to respond to calls without a scent article b/c we only train in scent-discrimination. |
