RUFF work

TRAINING FRAMEWORK

This isn’t completed and ( probably - hopefully ) never will be.

Responses Welcome Contribute Your Thoughts

Highly qualified Avi Dog Teams can be found at many ski areas. Some programs have been in place for 20 years or more and have trained, utilized, retired and replaced their Avi Dogs.

Does that mean we can say “been there—done that—bought the T shirt” and let it go at that?

HOPEFULLY NOT!

We have learned much and as a result we have gotten better over the years. We have experience that has highlighted some of the attributes that make up effective Avalanche Rescue Dog Teams. This is a way of looking at parts and pieces that go into the development of truly effective and reliable Avalanche Rescue Dog Teams.

This “elements” approach can be used as a checklist and as a base for isolating specific skills and attributes to train or enhance. This isn’t foreign to “dog training”, in fact it is an intrinsic part of animal [and people] learning. The Training Section (see Contents) will have information and links that may be useful to your Training Plan.

TRAINING FRAMEWORK

Been there - done that Should know what we want+++

Some of the things that make up the “TOTAL PACKAGE”

The next dog team should be better than the last one & we can make the ones we have even better

GOAL – a “GREAT DOG TEAM” -- a “GREAT DOG PROGRAM”

RUFF work

Avalanche Rescue Dogs

TRAINING FRAMEWORK “the TOTAL PACKAGE”

Specific Items to consider	PERFORMANCE GOAL	Implications for Training	background & other stuff that can help
the WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Management Support	Earn It	Support for Training Time & $s	What other Areas do
Patrol & other Depts. support	Earn It	You will need their help	PR and a well mannered Dog
facilities, kenneling	Dog in appropriate space-eliminate potential problems	Trainer control no bad habits overall impact on other training and support	“Mgnt. Support - $s for kennels - what others do
Image	Professional Image	Attitude=Success how you are viewed will affect your support	Proper focus on what you want to do / BE
select Handler[s]	Dog + Handler = TEAM	Desire – an essential element	proven Work Ethic
Single or Multiple Handlers	Everyday (continuous) availability of Rescue Resource	MANY	SEE---
select Dog	The BEST you can find	Best chance for success	see SELECTION TOOLS
physical and temperament	Strength, Endurance, Speed, Courage, Hardness, Etc.	Dog Selection match dog & handler	Readings – temperament, drives, behavior
Ownership of Dog	Permanence & Stability of your Program	Area owns Dog? Some do. Other arrangements--	what other Areas do
work with other Agencies ?	Skill available to other agencies?	Credentials, crosstraining, communication	Learn from others Hopefully the only opportunity to work your dog
Basic Training Puppy classes and plans for Obedience Training	Manners & Deportment, Control Opportunity to imprint the right stuff	this is BEDROCK stuff for Dog & Handler	How DOGS Think & Learn TRAINER knowledge & skill or willingness to learn
Control your eagerness – Train the Dog then Train it to Search Having said that there are things you can build in (“imprint”) early on

RUFF work

TRAINING FRAMEWORK “the TOTAL PACKAGE”

Specific Items to consider	PERFORMANCE GOAL	Implications for Training	background & other stuff that can help
SEARCH SKILLS & CHARACTERISTICS -- Qualities, Abilities, and Features associated with high performance in Avalanche Search and Rescue Dogs
Confidence	No handler reassurance required	Early training –small steps –setup for success –reward systems –drive enhancement	Specifics—what / how-to
Tenacity	Motivation to keep working –extended periods-poor conditions-multiple victims	Imprint, cultivate and nurture this innate response	Understanding of drives – Hunt vs. Prey Motivation
Ranging	Good area coverage		“retriever” handling skills
Patterning	Efficient coverage	Practice –area / avi	CARDA
Directability	Handler direction likely spots	early imprinting, later development	Retriever handling
Focus	Not distracted – stay on Task	Start simple, small progressions, SEE CONFIDENCE ABOVE	xxxxxxxxxx
Intensity	Performance level	Tenacity – not excitable
Speed	Hunger + Reliability	Confidence	early Training

RUFF work

TRAINING FRAMEWORK “the TOTAL PACKAGE”

Specific Items to consider	PERFORMANCE GOAL	Implications for Training	background & other stuff that can help
INDICATION ( ALERT )
SUSTAINED
Independent of Handler
“Interest”- investigation –short if not an alert		Handler knows location of FIND in early training	experienced observer &/or video tape drills
POSTURE	Ability to “read” dog	Handler and observers watch dog, lots of drills with varying conditions	See above and keep good logs
DIG	To the victim scratch on vic	Train the victim how to respond GOAL for Drill & SET-UP	Training Tips
BARK	Bark @ unresponsive victim	Lost person training – flows into buried vic	Train In early and separately

RUFF work

TRAINING FRAMEWORK “the TOTAL PACKAGE”

Specific Items to consider	PERFORMANCE GOAL	Implications for Training	background & other stuff that can help
REWARD
RESTART
VICTIM LOYALTY
SCENT CONES
RAISE DIFFICULTY
LOGISTICS / TRAVEL
ADD SKILLS
PROBLEMS e.g. bolting
HANDLERS

RUFF work

TRAINING FRAMEWORK “the TOTAL PACKAGE”

Specific Items to consider	PERFORMANCE GOAL	Implications for Training	background & other stuff that can help
TRAINING -- PROGRESSION
Basic Training / Commands & Skills	Commands, Control, Skills,	Building Block for future – make it fun	x
Advanced Training	????????
Avalanche Search