The National Search And Rescue Dog Association
Maple Barn, Canterbury Road, Molash, Kent CT4 8HF
Search Dog Handler
Every Search Dog Team is led by a highly trained, dedicated, professional Dog Handler. It takes a great deal of dedication and time to fulfil this role. The dog team ideally comprises the Dog Handler, Dog Support / Navigator and of course our star of the show - the Dog. Dog handlers can work solo if required. Primarily the dog handler has to make sure their dog is obedient, is under their control and is safe with livestock. The the Search Dog Handler has to learn how to train their dog in their chosen discipline (air scent, trailing, water) and progress through their training stages. Once the training stages are complete they will undertake a number of mock or pre-assessments and when ready will be put forward for assessment. The assessment comprises a number of assessments over a number of days. It is not based on a single test, but is designed to test and demonstrate the consistent performance and capability of the Search Dog Handler & Dog in different terrains and scenarios, all to National Standards. These assessments are extremely demanding and overseen by National Assessors. The Dog Handler not only has to have to learn and maintain the skills of a Search Team Member but also a Team Leader as they lead the dog team in the search task. Skills have to be maintained for terms of Navigation, Radio, First Aid, Stretchers and much more. The dog handler also needs to be proficient in many soft skills such as being able to give briefings, work in a team, interviewing / gathering information from third parties, handling difficult / sensitive situations, ensuring care of team members and being able to de-brief with the team and the search management at the end of each search activity. The entry requirements for becoming a Search Dog Handler vary slightly between the Member Associations, also according to whether you will be working in a Mountain or Lowland Area. All potential search dog handlers have to go through the same entry process as does a dog support prior to be accepted into the training programme.
our dog profiles
Meet the Dogs
We have profiles for our wonderful dogs with interesting information, a story, some image and videos.
Whether they are in training, operational, retired or fallen, they are our absolutely amazing fluffies!
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Meet the Members
We have profiles for our Member Associations with details and contact information.
Our Associations are integrated with Lowland & Mountain Rescue Teams.
View Nowwhat search dogs do
Types of Missing Person Search Dog
We have lots of information to explain the different types of missing person search dogs we train and qualify.
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We will send you a guide to explain how to update your Will to support the amazing work of the NSARDA Search Dogs.
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How Can I Help ?
It's not just about money.
We need access to land for training.
We also need dogs bodies who are willing to hide out for the dogs to find.
Find Out MoreSearch Dog Handler
Every Search Dog Team is led by a highly trained, dedicated, professional Dog Handler.
Every Search Dog Team is led by a highly trained, dedicated, professional Search Dog Handler. It takes a great deal of dedication and time to fulfil this role. The dog team ideally comprises the Dog Handler, a Dog Support or Navigator and of course our star of the show - the Search Dog. Dog handlers can work solo if required.
First and foremost the aspirant search dog handler has to satisfy many pre-requisites. The entry requirements for becoming a Search Dog Handler vary slightly between the Member Associations, also according to whether you will be working in a Mountain or Lowland Area. The Dog Handler not only has to have to learn and maintain the skills of a Search Team Member but also be a Team Leader (person who leads a team of searchers in a search tasking) as they lead the dog team in the search task. Skills have to be maintained for terms of Navigation, Radio, First Aid, Stretchers and much more. The dog handler also needs to be proficient in many soft skills such as being able to give briefings, work in a team, interviewing / gathering information from third parties, handling difficult / sensitive situations, ensuring care of team members and being able to de-brief with the team and the search management at the end of each search activity.
First and foremost the dog handler has to ensure their dog is obedient and is under their control. For many aspirant search dog handlers this will involve taking their dog to dog training classes or working with specialists in obedience to get their aspirant search dog to the required levels of obedience. This may be done within a Member Association. Every aspirant search dog handler needs a certain level of obedience in their aspirant search dog to be able to control them such as keep their dog to heel (on and off a line), get it to stay and stop, get it to down and stay for up to 10 minutes (in and out of sight) have a great recall, and so on. Search Dog Training will not officially start until the aspirant search dog and handler have successfully passed an Acceptance & Obedience Test. The Green Tag is to show that the dog has been accepted into the training programme and is officially a Search Dog in Training.
The aspirant search dog handler also have to train with their dog to make sure they can work safely in and around livestock, under control and will not cause livestock any harm. When the aspirant search handler and dog are ready they will be put through and have to successfully pass a Stock Test in order to be able to continue in the training programme. Some Member Associations, due to their location and proximity of stock, requires this before acceptance into the training programme. This Stock Test involves the dog and handler moving in and around sheep both on and off line. It will also involve the sheep being moved around the dog and between the dog and handler whilst the dog is in a down stay at a short distance. All of this is done under the careful supervision of a farmer, small holder or other suitably qualified person, who will sign off to say the dog is safe with livestock. The Yellow Tag is to show that an NSARDA Search Dog has undertaken and completed a Stock Test to demonstrate they can be safely controlled in and around livestock.
The aspirant Search Dog Handler has to decide which discipline to train their dog in their chosen discipline (air scent, trailing, water). Some dogs will be suited to certain disciplines so it is good to determine which the dog will likely be best at. The aspirant handler will now be taken through the training stages, in their chosen discipline, to take themselves and their dog to progress through to be ready for the assessment process. Training is provided by qualified dog handlers in that discipline. The time this takes is down to the dog and the handler, how well they learn and progress.
Once the training stages are complete they will undertake a number of mock or pre-assessments and when these have been successfully passed they will be will be put forward for assessment. The qualification process comprises a number of assessments that usually take place over a number of consecutive days. It is not based on a single test, but is designed to test and demonstrate the consistent performance and capability of the Search Dog Handler & Dog. This involves a minimum of 4 separate searches taking in varying terrains and scenarios. Each assessment can have any number of 'bodies' hidden for them to find and they have a set amount of time to complete, all in accordance with NSARDA National Standards, specific to each discipline. These assessments are extremely demanding and overseen by National Assessors. National Assessors are very experienced dog handlers that have been through a training and assessment process with other National Assessors whereby they demonstrate that they have the knowledge, skills, ability and experience to be able to setup and assess search dogs and their handlers, all to NSARDA National Standards.
All NSARDA Dog Handlers deploy through proper and appropriate channels and are usually deployed through a Search And Rescue Team, or similar organisation, at the request of the Police, Garda or Coastguard. In some cases deployment may be direct to the Police or similar agencies. Therefore in order for an NSARDA Dog Handler to be deployed with their dog, they must be an active, operational member of a Search And Rescue Team, or similar organisation, in the region where they deploy and/or satisfy all of the local rules for deployment.
Having successfully completed the Assessment Process, the newly qualified Search Dog Handler and their qualified Missing Person Search Dog will be awarded a Red Tag to show that the dog is qualified, a Dog Handler Badge for the handlers Jacket to show they are qualified, an Orange Search Dog Vest and a signed Certificate. Most importantly they now join the callout list and are available to attend searches for high risk missing persons from then on, whilst they remain qualified and operational. The process does not stop here ! For Air Scent & Trailing, within 12 months the Search Dog and Handler must undertake the same assessment process again in order to upgrade from 'Initial' handler to 'Senior Handler' at which stage they will be required to reassess every 3 Years. For Water Search Dogs it is every 3 Years. Every Search Dog & Handler will train constantly through their career at all training days and be required to demonstrate their skills. A Search Dog & Handler can be made non-operational at any stage and be required to undertake extra training and further assessments in order to return to the callout list.