TRAINING THE DISASTER SEARCH DOG
by Shirley Hammond (See other books by author)

Summary: Highly trained Disaster Search Dog teams are an increasingly important component in response efforts to save lives in the face of terrorist attacks, earthquakes, and floods—and training these teams has never been more important. Detailed how-to information to pass FEMA tests.

Price: $29.95

Disaster Search Dog (DSD) teams save lives. Quick response to natural and man-made disasters can mean the difference between life and death for trapped victims. Highly trained Disaster Search Dog teams are an increasingly important component in response efforts to save lives in the face of terrorist attacks, earthquakes, and floods—and training these teams has never been more important. Detailed how-to information to pass FEMA tests. Click here to view an excerpt.

What reviewers are saying...

DOG WORLD
Shirley Hammond’s extensive experience with both disaster dogs and the FEMA system make this book a “must have” for all those contemplating or actively training a dog to meet the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force Search. In a clear step-by-step method, the author sets out the training required for the various elements of both the Basic and Advanced test, including agility, direction, and control, the bark alert, and the rubble pile search. The agility chapter discusses a variety of obstacles which will provide a realistic training for this difficult work... The chapter on direction and control describes the “baseball diamond” test used by FEMA... Great attention is paid to teaching the bark alert, which enable the dog to communicate a find even when out of the handler’s sight. The methods described will thoroughly prepare the dog for both the bark barrel” and the rubble tests. The chapters covering search training are certainly adequate for the FEMA test; however, there could have been additional instruction on this cost critical element. Although the training problems presented were a good beginning, advanced exercises lasting up to several hours each in varied environments would prepare dog/handler teams for a wide range of disaster scenarios, from rural tornadoes to urban terrorist attacks. While no book can completely replace working under the guidance of experienced handlers, those who read Training The Disaster Search Dog will have a real advantage in their preparation for both the FEMA test and disaster response. It will make an excellent addition to any search dog trainer’s library. Alice Stanley, co-author of Search and Rescue Dogs: Training the K-9 Hero.

THE AUSSIE TIMES
Shirley M. Hammond “has more then 28 years of Search and Rescue experiences. She ahs trained and certified dogs in area search, cadaver, disaster, evidence, and water search.” Hammond’s experience makes her very qualified to write this book. As expected from her background, it is logically and methodically arranged. A brief perusal of the chapter titles shows this. It also reveals how the specialized scent work required of a Disaster Search Dog, or DSD, differs from the job performed by a tracking dog… Hammond also describes the tests that a handler and dog team must pass to receive FEMA certification as well as several disasters that she and her dogs worked… Training the Disaster Search Dog is interesting to read. It clearly sets out the skills necessary to perform an important job under difficult conditions and details the steps necessary to teach them to a dog. It also makes clear for the casual reader how critical the work is when people’s lives are at risk, and the importance of teaching each step carefully and thoroughly… Carol Pernicka is a professional librarian and tracking judge (TD, TDX, VST)

DOG TALK
For novice handlers I would say this book is an absolute essential. I know it would have helped me get on the right track a lot faster and with less “diversions” along the way. For more advanced handlers, it reinforced a lot of what we do, and will make it a lot easier to explain ideas to others. It also gave us some exciting training ideas, set us some new challenges and enthused me to try some new ideas with my dogs…Brenda Woolley NZ USAR Search Dog Handler

Dig In

Back Cover

Table Of Contents

Chapter 1, Page 1

• K9 SEARCH AND RESCUE
• TRACKING FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS - A PRACTICAL MANUAL FOR NOVICE AND ADVANCED HANDLERS
• AVALANCHE! HASTY SEARCH - THE CARE AND TRAINING OF AVALANCHE SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS
• WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER, 2ND EDITION
• BOTTLE TRACKER TOY - YELLOW

• ON TALKING TERMS WITH DOGS - CALMING SIGNALS, 2ND EDITION
• FIGHT! - A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE TREATMENT OF DOG-DOG AGGRESSION
• CANINE BODY LANGUAGE - A PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDE
• MY DOG PULLS - WHAT DO I DO?
• TRY TRACKING! - THE PUPPY TRACKING PRIMER