Puppy Search 101

When introducing the search game to a puppy, the runaways should be short and amazingly fun for the dog.  During Sappho's very first search game, her own handler was actually the person to do the runaway.  To anyone interested in training a search and rescue dog, we highly recommend that you contact the K-9 search and rescue group nearest you.  There are also quite a few good books that can assist you.  Search training must be incremental learning for the dog.  As she masters short runaways, the game gets longer and harder.  One should not however, make the misteak of trying to move their dog along too quickly in these increments.  If you find that the dog is having a difficult  time, don't be afraid to take a step backward and let the dog get more solid on the previous step.

Here is the handy assistant Beth running away from Sappho while Sappho is being held by her handler.  The person running away should be very animated and excited.  In an extremely high and happy voice, Beth is encouraging Sappho to come and find her.

While Beth is running away, Sappho's handler, is also getting her hyped up.  The idea here is to have the dog so excited to go find the person that they are trying to lunge out of your hands!

Once Beth has hidden, the search command is given.  As you can see from the blur of motion, Sappho wastes no time to go and find her

Once Sappho has found Beth she is heavily praised.  It is important that the handler wait and allow the "lost person" to praise the dog first.  Sappho gets praised both with treats and play with her favorite toy.  The idea here is to let Sappho know that she is the greatest dog in the world for finding Beth.  Dogs should always search because they want to and love the game.

Here, a triumphant Sappho is walking back with Beth, still playing with her favorite toy.  For Sappho, search is the game she loves to play the most.  Keeping it very positive, exciting, and fun, will give you a dog that it very motivated to work

The Game Gets Harder