Retrieving and tracking

These are two other important elements related to rescue dog training. Retrieving involves advanced scenting and searching techniques and the main purpose of this characteristic is to allow the dog to retrieve objects belonging to missing persons and thus put the handler on the right track. Missing persons and evidence are also found due to the special tracking abilities of a search and rescue dog. Training involves improving the dog's ability to react to scents and to follow tracks. The necessary equipment for the tracking dog consists of a non-restrictive harness and a 20 - 25 foot long line, preferably made of leather. The dog is trained to follow a single human scent, disregarding all else.

Rescue dog training techniques are extremely important in all searching, evidence gathering and tracking operations and no corners are cut while the rescue dog receives training.