This section is designed to give the overhead team a general idea how to utilize dog resources at a search. General guidance: get in the field and train with dogs to see what they can do -- and what the handler can do.

Planning

First, know your resources. How many dogs are available, what are their disciplines? Do you know the dog's certifications? What can you expect the dog to do?

I can not stress enough -- find out about in advance as much as you can about your local resources, the local agencies, and their training standards. If you expect a single dog to be a panacea, you're not being practical. Here's a few suggestions for various situations.

Don't be tied into only one opinion. Use more than one dog--get a second, or third, opinion. Most dog handlers are use to working in areas where other dogs have been. Tell them if they are or are not not the first dog team in the area. Tell them who has been there previously. Ask for a confirmation once they start their assignment for their level of confidence in the dog. Not all dogs, even if trained to the same standards, will be at the top of their game at any given time. Most handlers will recognize this and give you an honest assessment as the dog progresses from the PLS to, hopefully, the subject.

In Sonoma County, we train heavily in tracking skills. If you are faced with choosing between a tracker and a trailing dog, use a tracker first to cut for sign, but also consider a team of a tracker and a trailing dog. This takes some specialty training as the handler must know that the tracker may want to slow the pace or even stop the dog's progress to get a visual confirmation or to get more detail about a footprint. Most dog handlers need to stop occasionally anyway to give their dog water (hydration is a necessity in keeping the olfactory process working effectively).

Writing your trailing assignment : best practice

1. Acquire a scent article
2. Go to the PLS
3. Determine and report any high-confidence direction of travel
4. Stay on track until dog locates subject or loses interest - radio in

Trailing Team : best practice

1. Dog handler
2. Tracker (team leader)
3. Radio, map, & all around support team member

Be cautious not to put more than one dog team in too close of proximity UNLESS the teams have trained previously to work in tandem (contiguous search areas or trails). Also be cautious about the proximity of other search teams. Many dogs will "range out" (go quite a distance) from their handlers and could locate other searchers. This isn't a bad thing, as it can keep the dog motivated ("Oh boy, I found someone -- give me doggy treats"), but it could also add to the scent-complexity of the search area for some dogs. Keep in mind some dogs train in highly contaminated scent pool areas -- I have seen a dog go 20 yards past a couple sitting on a bench to find the downed subject in deadfall behind them.

One special note of consideration is the use of both dogs and ATVs. ATVs and other gas burning vehicles (and generators) produce a chemical byproduct that can desensitize a dogs nose. Also, it's not too fun for the dog to chase an ATV

Writing your area assignment : best practice

1. Identify a trail or area you want covered (regardless of the operational period)
2. Try to utilizing the best weather conditions for the dogs -- cool & moist mornings, dusk and evenings will yield a better result and higher level of effectiveness.
3. Expect your team to give you very reasonable, if not higher, probability of detection (POD) than a ground pounding team (which varies based on #2 above).

Area Team : best practice

1. Dog handler
2. Tracker (team leader)
3. Radio, map, & all around support team member