Tag: training

How to Get Your Dog Involved with Search & Rescue

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Taste of the Wild

From natural disasters to missing persons, search and rescue (SAR) dogs are irreplaceable and potentially life-saving partners for law enforcement agencies and first responders of all kinds. To become a SAR dog, both animal and handler must go through rigorous training that puts their intelligence, agility, stamina and determination to the test.

WHAT IS SAR?

SAR missions involve locating and providing immediate aid to people — or even other animals — who are in distress or imminent danger. These missions can occur in any location — large bodies of water, rugged terrain, urban and suburban locations, deserts, forests and, well, anywhere someone finds themselves in need of help. People and dogs involved in SAR missions must be ready to get the job done in any environment.

IN WHAT TYPE OF MISSION DOES A SAR DOG ASSIST?

SAR dogs are classified by the methods used to locate and follow scents.

The three types of dogs are:

  • Air-scenting (locating humans in general, tracking)
  • Following ground disturbances
  • Trailing (following the scent of a specific person)

Using their well-developed sense of smell, dogs use their noses to locate people in a variety of SAR missions, including:

  • Assisting law enforcement with crime scenes
  • Weather-related disasters
  • Earthquakes
  • Avalanches
  • Collapsed buildings
  • Drowning

WHICH BREEDS EXCEL AT SAR?

Becoming a SAR dog requires an immense amount of skill, and not every dog is up to this task. Breeds that traditionally are chosen as SAR dogs include German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, Dobermans, Rottweilers, giant Schnauzers and golden retrievers. Additionally, dogs should be fully grown (at least 18 months old) before beginning certification.

WHAT ARE THE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS?

Dogs can be trained for any situation — live person search, wilderness or urban tracking, disaster and cadaver searches — but to begin laying the groundwork for SAR training, many handlers will begin training their dogs as puppies by playing games such as hide and seek with the addition of simple commands.

SAR dogs must also prove their endurance, friendliness, trainability and agility to obtain their certification. The official SAR training can take anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the hours both the handlers and dogs are willing to put into it.

WHAT CERTIFICATIONS DO MY DOG AND I NEED TO BECOME SAR CERTIFIED?

In order to participate in SAR missions, groups require each dog and handler to pass the national certification and be recertified every few years.

Individual teams may have varying requirements for handlers, but most teams require handlers to have crime scene preservation, first aid, CPR, canine first aid, lost person behavior, map reading, compass use, and radio communication certifications along with courses in the Incident Command System. Handlers are also required to complete SAR-specific certifications.

In addition to nationally recognized obedience training, dogs must also complete their own SAR certifications. More information on this training is listed below.

WHERE CAN I OBTAIN MY/MY DOG’S SAR CERTIFICATIONS?

Nationally recognized SAR certifications are offered by a variety of organizations. Visit the following organizations’ websites to learn more about their training programs and certifications.

Cat Training: How to Keep Cats off Counters

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A brown tabby cat lying comfortably on a kitchen counter.

Cats are curious, athletic pets with a natural interest in high places like a table, shelf or bookcase. If there’s a kitchen counter with a good view of the room, your feline friend may see it as the perfect place to sit, watch and explore. However, cats on countertops can create safety and hygiene concerns, especially when you’re cooking or preparing food nearby.

The good news is that there are ways to keep your kitty off your counters. The goal isn’t to make your cat afraid of the kitchen, it’s to teach better boundaries, offer more appropriate alternatives and make these areas less tempting. With consistent training and a few safety changes, you can help keep your cat off countertops without using fear or punishment.

Why Do Cats Jump on Counters?

When you’re trying to keep your cat off counters, it helps to understand why the behavior is happening in the first place. There is always a reason a cat jumps onto a kitchen counter, even if that reason isn’t obvious to humans.

Many cats enjoy high vantage points because they feel more secure when they can see what’s happening around them. Your kitty may also jump up because they’ve learned that a counter or table gets your attention.

Curiosity can also play a role. If your cat hears loud noises, sees movement or smells something interesting, the counter may be the first thing they investigate. Understanding the reason behind their kitchen counter exploration gives you the best chance of choosing the appropriate training method.

Remove Food and Other Temptations from Kitchen Counters

One of the simplest ways to deter cats from jumping on the counter is to make the surface less rewarding. If your kitty jumps up and finds cat food, human food, dishes or interesting items to bat around, they have a reason to return.

Wipe down countertops after cooking and put food away as soon as meals are over. Don’t leave snacks, butter, meat, bread or dirty dishes where your cat can reach them. If your cat opens cabinets looking for food or treats, childproof latches may help keep them out of those spaces.

This step matters because training is much harder when the reward is still available. A clean, boring surface is less fun than one that smells like dinner.

Offer Cats an Elevated Alternative to Counters

Cats still need approved places where they can jump, perch and watch the room. Instead of only trying to stop the unwanted behavior, give your kitty better options.

Cat trees, scratching posts, shelves, window perches and other cat furniture can provide alternative high spaces. Place a cat tree or perch near the kitchen, so your feline friend can be close to the action without sitting on the kitchen counter. You can encourage use of these areas with treats, toys, praise or a cozy blanket.

The more rewarding the approved spot is, the more likely your cat will choose it. For some cats, a high space like a perch near a window or a tall cat tree in a busy room may be more appealing than the countertop.

Use Cat Training to Teach Better Habits

Training can be used to correct common cat behaviors, but it works best when it rewards the behavior you want. When your kitty chooses their cat tree, scratching posts or another approved surface, offer praise, a treat or a short play session.

You can also train cats to respond to a simple cue like “Off.” If your cat jumps onto the table or counter, calmly guide them to the floor or to an approved perch. Once all four paws are on the ground or in the right place, reward the behavior. You could also try clicker training.

With cat training, consistency is important. Everyone in the home should follow the same rules. If one person allows the cat on countertops and another person doesn’t, your cat will have a harder time learning which areas are off limits.

How to Keep Cats off Counters Naturally

If you’re wondering how to keep cats off counters naturally, focus on safe deterrents and environmental changes. The goal is to make the surface less appealing while making approved alternatives more rewarding.

Some pet parents use aluminum foil, double-sided tape or other temporary textures because many cats dislike the feeling on their paws. The idea behind cats and tin foil is that the crinkly sound and smooth feel of foil may make the surface less inviting. Cookie sheets can also create an unfamiliar surface, but avoid anything that could slide, fall or make them afraid.

Any deterrent should be pet safe, temporary and used carefully. Avoid harsh scented products, essential oils or sprays that could irritate your cat. Scent-based deterrents are not always safe for pets, so ask your veterinarian before using them.

Avoid Punishment and Scare Tactics to Keep Cats off Counters

It may be tempting to use a spray bottle, loud noises or other startling methods when your kitty jumps on the counter, but those approaches can backfire. Physical punishment, yelling or booby trapping the counter can make your cat afraid of you or the room instead of teaching them the correct behavior.

A spray bottle may stop the behavior in the moment, but it usually doesn’t teach a long-term habit. Your cat may simply learn to avoid the counter when you’re nearby, then jump up again at night or when no one is watching. Calm redirection, cat-approved alternatives and consistent rewards are usually more effective than punishment.

How to Keep Cats off Furniture

Many of the same tips can help if you’re trying to keep cats off furniture. First, figure out what your cat wants from the surface. Are they looking for comfort, height, warmth, security, attention or a better view?

Once you know the reason, offer an alternative. A soft bed may help if your cat likes sitting on the couch. A scratching post may help if they’re scratching furniture. A cat tree or high perch may help if they want to watch people, pets or even dogs in the room from above. You may not be able to completely stop every jump right away, but you can teach better habits over time.

Be Patient When Training Cats to Stay off Counters

Changing cat behavior takes time. If your kitty has been jumping on counters and tables for months or years, they probably won’t stop after one training session. Keep surfaces clean, remove food temptation, reward good choices and make approved spaces more fun. With the right training, patience and setup, you can help keep your cats off counters while still giving them the high spaces, attention and enrichment they need.