National Urban Search Rescue Response System Canine Search
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit 3: Role of the Helper 1
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Objective Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to describe the function of the helper 2
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Enabling Objectives n Demonstrate proper communication, technique, and timing l Inside the remote alert box l In an alert barrel l On the rubble pile n Effectively reward a search canine n Improve reward-timing skills 3
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Introduction Thinking, communicating, timing and technique are key words to remember 4
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Importance Of The Helper n Roles of handler, helper and trainer overlap n There is an art and science to being a good helper n Learning to be a good helper improves timing and your ability to read canines n In alert training the helper is focus of canine’s attention 5
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training TO REPEAT: In alert training, the Helper MUST BE the focus of the canine’s attention 6
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Definitions 7
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Definitions n Helper n Handler n Trainer n Cueing n Encouraging n Reward 8
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Helper n The person(s) who assist(s) the handler when training the canine l Teaches canine to bark for someone other than handler l When using remote alert box—will be inside box or on rope l When using alert hole or barrel—helper is inside hole or barrel l In the rubble pile—may be visible or concealed 9
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Handler The handler is the person for whom the canine is working 10
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Trainer n Person who makes decisions regarding which technique is used to get canine to perform a specific task n Trainer may be the handler, the helper, or a third person who is observing 11
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Cueing and Encouraging n Cueing l Technique used by handler or helper to precipitate a behavior l Can be as obvious as banging a door up and down, or as subtle as body language n Encouraging l Occurs when canine has already independently started the desired behavior 12
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Rewards n Can be toys or food, or a combination of both n Tug toys are preferred over retrieving toys for two reasons l Reward is given at the same spot as the find and can continue there with a game of tug l It is not safe for the canine to chase a retrieving toy across rubble 13
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Rewards (continued) n Food rewards should not be messy l If crumbs are dropped, the area will be contaminated for the next canine l Airtight containers are recommended 14
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Qualities of a Good Helper 15
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Qualities of a Good Helper n Thinking n Communicating n Timing n Technique 16
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Thinking Planning, executing, and evaluating the training sequence 17
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Communicating Helper to n Trainer n Handler n Canine 18
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Helper communicating with handler and trainer n Understand goal of exercise n Know how goal will be accomplished n Know how canine will be rewarded n Repeat instructions n Establish who has authority to change plan n Develop contingency plan n Debrief exercise 19
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Helper communicating with canine n Convey positive attitude to canine n Be enthusiastic and supportive n Learn how to reward different canine temperaments n Be aware not to overwhelm or over-stimulate the canine n Debrief the exercise 20
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Helper communicating with canine 21
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Timing n Timing can make or break an exercise n Rewarding canine at correct and precise moment is critical n If timing is off, helper may be encouraging unwanted behavior 22
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Techniques must be adapted to canine’s temperament and level of training, and the goal of the specific training session 23
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Temperament n Soft n Hard n Stimulus threshold n Drive level n Manners 24
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Adjust technique to temperament n Space n Energy n Eye contact n Weight (forward or back) n Stance 25
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Helper = Prey Helper (prey) moves n Side to side or away n Teases with toy movement n Stops movement + hide toy to frustrate n Barks restart action 26
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Two toy game n Command to drop toy n Command to “end reward game” 27
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Level of training n Imprinting n Beginner n Intermediate n Advanced 28
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training What is the goal? n Alert n Agility n Intensity n Ignore distractions n Helper interaction 29
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training General Helper Principles 30
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training General Helper Principles n Check equipment n Understand reward system n Understand exercise goal l Plan to achieve goal l Repeat instructions 31
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training General Helper Principles (continued) n Ensure good timing of reward n Be enthusiastic and focus on canine n Be flexible—have plan B n Understand how the exercise ends 32
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Specific Helper Roles 33
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Specific Helper Roles n Remote Props n Alert Barrels n Alert Hole n Rubble Pile 34
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Remote Control Prop n Trainer controls access to helper n Helper delivers reward n Good for inexperienced helper 35
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Alert Hole or Barrel n Helper controls access l Coordination l Timing l Limited visibility l Must control lid! 36
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training The Rubble Pile n Safety n Agility n Coordination n Timing n Technique 37
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Reward Systems 38
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Toy Should be n Semi-Rigid n Durable n Easy to hold on to n Able to poke up through rubble 39
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Food Must n Be self contained n Be easy to swallow-no chewing n Not contaminate area n Be “high value” food 40
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Canine Training Techniques 41
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Techniques n Runaway n Pop-out n Call out n Bait and switch n Cold shot 42
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Runaway 43
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Pop-out 44
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Call out Hey! 45
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Bait and switch 46
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Cold shot 47
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Dog leaves wanting MORE! 48
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Time for a video! “Role of the Helper” 49
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Summary and Evaluation 51
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Summary n Demonstrate proper communication, technique, and timing l Inside the remote alert prop l In an alert barrel l On the rubble pile n Develop an effective canine reward system n Improve reward-timing skills 52
National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Evaluation Please fill out the evaluation on this unit 53
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