We are recruiting contact: signup@dorsetsearchdogs.org.uk
Dog Handlers
Our dog handlers are all volunteers and willing to be called out anytime during the day or night. They dedicate hours of training to building a working relationship with their dog and develop the skills to become an effective search team. This takes time and dedication but is the incredibly rewarding.
To become a dog handler the training starts with you. You will need to attend a number of training sessions to become familiar with the training techniques before you start training your dog. All dog handlers first undertake search technician training, this will qualify you to attend live searches and gain experience. Once you have gained some experience you will be invited to start the initial stage of our search dog training program. You and your dog will be assessed at each stage before progressing, this ensures that only those dogs who have potential to qualify progress. It will take approximately 18-24 months of intensive training for you and your dog to be ready to undertake the national assessment for operational status. Training a search dog is a very big commitment that demands regular attendance at Dorset Search Dogs training sessions and a lot of training in your own time.
Any breed of dog can undertake search training. If they do not demonstrate the stamina and skills required for actual search work it may limit some dogs from continuing their training with the team.
If you are interested in finding out what it takes to become a Search and Rescue Dog Handler please get in touch via signup@dorsetsearchdogs.org.uk and come along to one of our training sessions.
Dogs Bodies
Dogs Bodies have the most important role in the training process! When training a young dog, the Dogs Body will get the dog enthusiastic for the game of hide and seek. They will run away from the dog, squeaking their favourite toy, they will then duck down, just out of sight. When the dog find them they will help reward the dog.
At the later stages of training, the Dogs Bodies will bed themselves down somewhere in the middle of nowhere, waiting to be found by the dog. Some of our best dogs bodies are now experts in digging down, climbing trees, using camouflage and staying quiet and undetectable by humans! Some of our shift workers use the longer searches to catch up on some sleep or read a good book in peace.
If you would like to find out more please come along to a team training session to see what is involved, to arrange contact us on signup@dorsetsearchdogs.org.uk
Operational Supports
A dog team comprises of a qualified dog, a dog handler and at least one operational support. While the dog handler is watching out for the safety of the dog and the signs and indications that the dog is working a scent, the dog support watches out for the safety of the whole team. They are responsible for the teams’ navigation, the radio communications, assist with first aid and the safe extraction of any missing persons found. The operational support must be confident around dogs as they will be there to generally help look after the dogs. Our operational supports are ready to respond to calls for assistance any time of the day or night! You are a key part of the dog team and the role is incredibly rewarding.
We are actively recruiting operational supports is you would like to get involved please contact us on: signup@dorsetsearchdogs.org.uk