DISASTER CANINE QUALIFICATION SCREENING

EVALUATING AN OLDER DOG

This is a system used by Search One Rescue ( http://www.searchone.org )

Email response

“I have also attached a copy of a screening that we developed to use to
screen dogs for disaster work. We are also using it for screening all dogs
that enter our K-9 program. The screening was used to screen Dogs for the
Texas Task Force 1 FEMA team. Several other teams have also used it to help
screen their dogs.

One of the objectives when we developed it was to have an instrument where
people with different levels of K-9 experience and knowledge could evaluate
a dog and they should end up with a very similiar rating for the dogs. We
tried to make it where we had an established critria for each score given.”

David A. Brownell
Search One Rescue Team
K-9 training Director

DISASTER CANINE QUALIFICATION SCREENING

DISASTER CANINE QUALIFICATION Brownell – Morsolais SCORE SHEET

EXAMPLE OF TEST SCORES

DISASTER CANINE QUALIFICATION SCREENING

This screening is designed to evaluate the potential of a canine to perform disaster search work. The process will exam inherent qualities of the canine including: the canine's resilience, nerve strength, agility, boldness, friendliness, motivation to work, focus, prey drive and hunt drive. In addition, the screening provides an opportunity to assess the working relationship between the handler and canine and the skills the canine has been trained to perform. The age of the canine and previous training are taken into account. Regardless of the breed, potential search candidates must be at least 12 months of age.

The screening is divided into two parts:

PART 1. Inherent Ability

Phase A. Sociability

Test 1a. & Test 1b. - Toward People

Test 2. - Toward Other Canines

Phase B. Motivation and Drive

Test 1a, Test 1b, Test 1c. - Commitment to Reward (Toy) & Play Drive

Test 2. - Prey Drive Test

Test 3a. - Hunt Drive: No time delay

Test 3b. - Hunt Drive: 15 Second delay

Test 3c. - Hunt Drive: 30 Second delay

Test 3d. - Hunt Drive: 60 Second delay

Test 4. - Handler / Canine Interaction

Phase C. Nerve Strength

Test 1. - Surface Sensitivity: Slick Surfaces

Test 2. - Surface Sensitivity: Unstable Surface

Test 3. - Surface Sensitivity: Rough Surface

Test 4. - Height Sensitivity: Elevated Plank

Test 5. - Confined Space: Lighted

Test 6. - Confined Space: Dark

Test 7. - Sound Sensitivity: Machinery

Test 8. - Sound Sensitivity: Pounding and Rattling

Test 9. - Sound Sensitivity: Gunfire (optional)

Test 10. - Visual Sensitivity: Moving Machinery (optional)

Test 11. - Visual Sensitivity: Smoke (optional)

Part 2. Performance Skills

(Canine proceeds to this stage only at the recommendation of the evaluator.)

The Canine is asked to perform the following skills at its current level of ability. This part of the screening will assess the level of performance to which the canine has been trained. This will aid trainers in planning future training and setting goals and objectives for each canine.

Phase A. Obedience

Test 1. Figure 8 (loose lead heeling testing sociability)

Test 2. Heeling

Test 3. Down Stay

Test 4. Recall

Test 5. Emergency Stop (Optional)

Phase B. Bark Behavior

Test 1. Barks for Toy

Test 2. Barks for Toy from stranger

Test 3. Bark Alert at subject in alert prop (need not be concealed)

Phase C. Directability

Test 1a. - Partial course (for less experienced dogs)

Test 1 b.- Full course

Phase D. Agility and Comfort on Easy Rubble

Test 1. See Saw

Test 2. Tunnel

Test 3. Ladder or stairs

Test 4. Travel over easy rubble

Phase E. Rubble Search (Only at the recommendation of the evaluator)

This screening program has been developed through a collaborative effort involving the following organizations: Chilport U.S.Inc. (D. Brownell); Dog Speed One (M. Marsolais); and Emergency Response Canines (P.Hawn, M.Remer). [August, 2000]

DISASTER CANINE QUALIFICATION SCREENING

PART 1. Inherent Ability

Phase A. SOCIABILITY

The disaster canine must be friendly and comfortable around strangers and other canines. A canine must allow another person to move it to a different location in the absence of its owner. The canine must work, live, and be transported in the presence of other canines. The canine must not show aggression.

Personnel:

1 logistics personnel

1assistant to untie canine from fence (not familiar with the canine)

Equipment:

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3 cones

1 stopwatch

1 canine

numbered arm bands for each handler

Testing site:

open area, place to tie out canine, fence preferred

Test 1a, 1b & 2. - Sociability towards People and Other Canines

The disaster search canine must be friendly and comfortable around strangers and other canines. One canine is screened at a time. The handler will attach the canine to a secured lead. The handler proceeds to a designated area out of the canine's sight. After 1 minute a stranger walks laterally by the canine at a distance of five feet beyond reach of the tied canine. The distance from the canine will be clearly marked. A stranger then walks laterally and just out of reach of the tied canine with a non testing canine, selected by the evaluators, on lead at heel. The canine on lead will be between the stranger and the tied canine. The stranger then returns alone, unties the canine and returns the canine to the handler using the handler's lead.

Test 1a. Sociability Towards People (Stranger walks by canine)

[0] Shows defensive flight behavior; growling and moving backwards; ears not fully up: hackles up. Shows stress as stranger approaches; cowers; recoils from stranger; urinates; stays uncomfortable; totally avoids the stranger. Unable to perform exercise.

[1] Shows defensive fight; aggressive forward behavior, lunging toward person; stands its ground; barking and / or growling; hackles up; tail up; ears pricked; direct eye contact.

[2] Canine maybe indifferent or tentative; may freeze; wide eyed; crouched body; wrinkled brow; tail tucked and wagging; yawning; initially backs up or retreats, then becomes more comfortable towards stranger.

[3] Eagerly greets stranger with enthusiasm; tail wagging; demonstrates no stress and exhibits confidence when meeting a stranger; moves forward in an engaging, sociable way.

Test 2. Sociability Toward Other Canines (Canine and stranger walk by)

[0] Shows defensive flight behavior; may have growling and barking; not lunging forward; moving backwards; ears not fully up; body crouched; hackles up (either along entire back or just up front). Shows stress as canine approaches; urinates; stays uncomfortable. Unable to perform exercise,

[1] Defensive fight behavior; aggressive forward behavior; lunging towards canine; stands its ground; barking and/or growling; hackles up; tail up; ears pricked; direct eye contact.

[2] Canine maybe indifferent or tentative; avoidance behaviors; yawn; stiff tail wag; some attempts to initiate positive social behaviors; becomes over stimulated by presence of other canine.

[3] Canine maintains position but is clearly relaxed; positive interest in other canine; tail wagging; relaxed body carriage curiosity towards other dog in playful manner; Shows ambivalence towards canine.

Test 1b. Sociability Toward People (Stranger unties canine)

[0] Shows defensive flight behavior; growling and /or barking; moving backwards; ears not fully erect; body crouching; whiskers back; hackles up (either along entire back or just up front). Shows stress as stranger approaches; cowers; recoils from stranger when approached. Unable to perform exercise.

[1] Shows defensive fight behavior; aggressive forward behavior; lunging towards person stands their ground; barking and/or growling; hackles up; tail up; ears pricked; direct eye contact.

[2] Canine may be indifferent or tentative; may freeze; wide eyed; crouched body; wrinkled brow; tail tucked and wagging; yawning; backs up retreating then becomes comfortable and playful with stranger. Goes willingly to stranger.

[3] Eagerly greets stranger with enthusiasm; tail wagging, demonstrates no stress and exhibits confidence when meeting a stranger; makes body contact, moves forward in an engaging, sociable way.

Phase B Motivation and Drive

Canine drive is defined as an innate impulse that prompts a canine to action (Brownell Marsolais). The more instinctive an action is, the more reliable it will be (K. Most). A handier must provide something the canine wants which will stimulate the canine into a desired response. Disaster search canines must be highly motivated to search for long periods of time in an environment that is challenging.

Personnel:

1 logistics person

1assistant trained to interact with canine

Equipment:

Box of assorted toys or rewards

Stop watch

Canine's favorite reward or play toy

1 milk crate

Test site:

Unfamiliar open area with places to hide thrown toys;

tall grass, shrubs,

Test 1a, 1b, 1c Commitment to Toy/Reward and Play Drive

The dog's commitment to his reward system is evaluated. A canine that readily roughhouses, runs, or engages in tug and/or retrieves with his handler as well as strangers has a high play drive. High play drive is essential for motivating the dog to work and to relieve stress during training and search missions. It also builds a bond between handler and canine partner.

Test 1a. Handler plays with canine/familiar toy.

The handler is asked to play with his dog using the dog's favorite type of play. They are asked to demonstrate retrieve and/or tug play.