Saga went to her first ever SAR boot camp. It was a weekend of firsts … new people, new dogs, sleeping in the car, working for three days straight. Lots of hard work and excitement. We trained wilderness or area search, prepairing for our first test which will be in September.
We participated in a competition called Hard Dog Race this weekend. It was a six kilometers long track with sixteen obstacles, ran in baking heat (28°C). It is a test of physical and mental preparation and of the bond between dog and handler. Out of 438 teams in women’s division, we ranked 20th. Which is pretty good for our first time 😉
Without a doubt the rappel or rope descent is one of the most stressful parts of canine search and rescue. It is stressful for the handler, because rappeling with a dog strapped to your body is not an easy thing to do. But it is even more stressful for the dog, since she does not understand what is happening and is hanging many meters above ground with no control whatsoever.
A certified SAR canine has to stay calm, follow her handlers lead and most of all be able to work after. It takes a lot of training and an awsome prey drive to work a search after a 50 meter descent.
Callis Varangian 