How to become a WOOF handler

What breed should I get? Many breeds can make suitable search dogs, although some have characteristics that better suit them towards certain subspecialties than others. A short haired dog, like a Doberman pinscher, may not do well as an avalanche or backcountry search dog because of the lack of coat and body fat necessary for warmth. On the other hand if you live where its warm much of the year and prefer disaster work, a smaller, short haired breed might work well for you. Consider your own personal preferences - do you like the happy-go-lucky personalities of retriever breeds? Do you want a particularly thick coated dog that may shed a lot and will require extra care during and after field work? There are size and coat restrictions for search dogs that exist for purely practical reasons. Small breeds with short legs, like basset hounds or Pekingese don't have the stamina or agility required for search work. At the other extreme very large breeds are unable to continue working for long periods of time. Long hair presents a problem in backcountry work. Long, fine hair traps snow between dogs' paws, under their legs, and in other places which can prevent them from continuing their search work. Long hair also traps foxtails, ticks, and other burs more easily than short hair. For example, Afghan hounds have a coat that would be impossible to manage in the wilderness. Some handlers find even the intermediate coat of golden retrievers to be difficult to keep un-knotted. All of these are valid, important considerations when narrowing down what breed to consider. As a general rule, WOOF recommends a medium-sized, double coated breed with high play drive.

Remember that even within the breeds that are bred for characteristics condusive to search and rescue, some will have what it takes and some will make nice companions (pets). For a first time handler, its important to find a breed that suites you, and within that breed find a dog that has the appropriate drive for the work.

	How to become a WOOF handler
	WOOF Service is a serious, sizable commitment of time and effort. Handlers spend thousands of hours training and working their dogs. Qualified unit handlers live throughout northern California and western Nevada in order to provide both rapid team response to search emergencies and to provide support as backup teams after the initial effort. Responsible handlers who have the time and ability to devote to SAR dog training and service are encouraged to participate as candidates, become members, qualify and serve with WOOF. Contact us. Talk to our teams. Read about what search dog training involves; there are several good texts on training search dogs and on general search and rescue. You must attend three of four monthly workouts before being voted a candidate with WOOF. Workouts are held throughout the northern California-Nevada region on the fourth weekend of every month (although check with us as some months vary), rain or shine. Search work with your dog is highly rewarding but incredibly demanding. You need your family's and employer's support. You must be over 18, in shape, and strong enough to hike at 8,000-14,000 feet for several days. You must get a suitable dog or puppy. We encourage people to work with us before selecting a puppy or dog to train, but our handlers will also be able to evaluate an existing dog's aptitude for search work. Except for radio equipment, you provide all your own field gear. Our handlers feel this is the hardest job they have ever loved to do. The progression for becoming a certified WOOF handler is: 1) attend 3 monthly workouts 2) pass our physical fitness test 3) provide proof of valide 1st aid/CPR or higher medical training 4) identify a sponsor within the unit 5) be voted on for candidacy - once you are a WOOF candidate, you are eligible to participate in searches without your dog, as a support foot searcher alongside a certified WOOF handler. This gives the candidate an opportunity to experience actual searches firsthand under the direct tutelage and supervision of a qualified WOOF handler. 6) pass WOOF's obedience test 7) pass the state of California wilderness search test 8) successfully complete a 3-day/2-night unsupported backpacking excursion off-trail above 7k' with a WOOF handler and your dog 9) pass WOOF's wilderness certification test - congratulations! Your work has just begun but you and your dog have demonstrated a minimum level of proficiency with search strategy and execution of that strategy, navigation, radio communication, and your dog finds and alerts on live people. Within 18 months of passing the final wilderness test, you and your dog will need to certify in any of the recognized specialty disciplines: avalanche, trailing, water, disaster, or human remains detection.
	What does it take to be a WOOF handler? \| What breed should I get? \| Where do I get a search dog? \| Puppy or older dog? \| What do I look for? \| How do I train?\| What is expected of me?\| What if my dog doesn't make it?
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	Selecting Your Future Search Dog - FAQ's There is no formula that will give you an absolute yes or no to the question, "Will this puppy grow up to be a search dog?" Every handler, dog trainer, breeder, or other individual involved with working dogs will give you a slightly different answer as well as have breed biases. However, there are general guidelines that can help narrow down your search for a suitable working companion. You should do a lot of homework before you pick a dog for search! Refer to the following list of FAQs to give you an idea of where to start, then consult with a WOOF handler or working dog breeder for specific advice on individual litters and puppies.
	What does it take to be a WOOF handler? Being a WOOF dog handler is much more than just training and working with your dog. Being a search dog handler is a lifestyle that requires flexibility, commitment, and perseverance. The support and understanding of your family, friends, and employer are critical, because as a WOOF handler, you must be prepared and willing to drop whatever it is you are doing at any given moment to respond to a call. Calls for assistance come 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Search and rescue is not a hobby that can be put on hold for your convenience. Not everyone's family is willing to support this lifestyle, and not every person is willing to accept the commitment required to be a WOOF handler. Handlers are independent and resourceful - requisite characteristics to handle the hours spent in remote areas, searching alone with your dog. There is a lot of down time as well - time spent driving to searches, waiting for instructions, and holding out in bad weather. It takes patience on top of being a 'high drive' handler to meet the demands of the search world. Because we interface with numerous law enforcement offices and sometimes with the families of the victims, professionalism and good human social skills are also a must.

	What breed should I get? Many breeds can make suitable search dogs, although some have characteristics that better suit them towards certain subspecialties than others. A short haired dog, like a Doberman pinscher, may not do well as an avalanche or backcountry search dog because of the lack of coat and body fat necessary for warmth. On the other hand if you live where its warm much of the year and prefer disaster work, a smaller, short haired breed might work well for you. Consider your own personal preferences - do you like the happy-go-lucky personalities of retriever breeds? Do you want a particularly thick coated dog that may shed a lot and will require extra care during and after field work? There are size and coat restrictions for search dogs that exist for purely practical reasons. Small breeds with short legs, like basset hounds or Pekingese don't have the stamina or agility required for search work. At the other extreme very large breeds are unable to continue working for long periods of time. Long hair presents a problem in backcountry work. Long, fine hair traps snow between dogs' paws, under their legs, and in other places which can prevent them from continuing their search work. Long hair also traps foxtails, ticks, and other burs more easily than short hair. For example, Afghan hounds have a coat that would be impossible to manage in the wilderness. Some handlers find even the intermediate coat of golden retrievers to be difficult to keep un-knotted. All of these are valid, important considerations when narrowing down what breed to consider. As a general rule, WOOF recommends a medium-sized, double coated breed with high play drive. Remember that even within the breeds that are bred for characteristics condusive to search and rescue, some will have what it takes and some will make nice companions (pets). For a first time handler, its important to find a breed that suites you, and within that breed find a dog that has the appropriate drive for the work.
	Where do I get a search dog? Fortunately there are many places to look for your future search dog and longtime partner. If you decide to get a purebred dog, you might start your search by interviewing breeders of working dogs and visiting their kennels. Get recommendations from handlers - would they recommend their breeder again? Why or why not? Do their expectations for a search dog mesh with yours? Not all search dogs must come from a breeder specializing in working dogs, but many do. Some search dogs come from private individuals who aren't necessarily a "kennel" but do occasionally breed for specific characteristics - which may be similar to what makes a good search dog. Talking with people about their dogs and specific litters that are available will give you a better idea about the background of the puppies and why the parents were paired. Some search dogs are acquired sight unseen based on breeder recommendation. Breeders have the advantage of being professionals in the dog business and living with the puppies from birth. They are highly qualified to give advice on individual puppies in a litter. Finally, some dogs, like mixed breeds, can be found at animal shelters. This is a bigger risk given the often minimal background information available about a particular puppy or litter.
	Should I get a puppy or an older dog? Some handlers would suggest getting a puppy as early as acceptable, at 7-8 weeks. Others prefer or will accept an older puppy or young dog. With a puppy you can shape many behaviors, take advantage of the bonding period, control exposure during fear stages, and experience the cute puppy stage. On the other hand, it is a crapshoot regarding what kind of drives or the extent of drives the puppy will have as an adult. With an older dog you can get a better idea for the dog's personality and drives but you may not know the dog's background, socialization, or health status. Dogs much older than one year are generally not advised to start training for search. Search work is a demanding process that may take up to two years to train for certification. Older dogs have much shorter working careers when started as an adult; given the amount of time required to certify, wouldn't you want to maximize the number of years you and your dog have to work together?
	What characteristics should I look for in a candidate search puppy? Again, there is no magic formula that can be used to calculate the probability of any puppy's success in search work. There are characteristics, however, that you should look for when selecting a puppy. An outgoing, inquisitive puppy is always a good start. Any puppy who cowers when approached by a human should immediately be removed from further consideration. Strong play and food drives are also very important characteristics. These drives may be difficult to evaluate in a young puppy, although some handlers would offer that at 7 or 8 weeks a puppy who does not show interest in playing with toys should also be off the consideration "list". Other personality traits can be selected for at the discretion of the handler, such as independence or submissiveness. General puppy tests conducted multiple times before the puppy reaches 8 weeks can offer a lot of information about the puppy's personality and similar characteristics. Older puppies and young dogs must show a very strong play drive (i.e. be a fanatical retriever or relentless tugger), be well socialized to people, including children, and other dogs, and have a certain level of confidence. For first-time handlers, consult with a reputable breeder of search or similar class of working dogs and talk with search dog handlers! It is much easier to put care and effort into selecting your puppy at the start, before you have an attachment to it, than it is to simply pick a pup and find he or she doesn't have what it takes for the job!
	Do I need to know special training methods? Search dogs must pass obedience tests and search tests for certification. Specific training methods for obedience, as well as the training itself, is the responsibility of the handler. Not all dogs respond to all types of training. People have their favorite methods. Some like clicker-training, others may prefer "pushing and driving". Any method that works for you and your dog is acceptable. Recognize that obedience is an important and integral part of the search dog's talent. Eventually, your dog must be directable from afar and out of voice-contact. He or she will be transported in close proximity to other dogs and people, who may be unfamiliar. Other people may have to handle your dog at times. A well-mannered dog is essential. Training for search is also the responsibility of the handler but guidance is offered when attending workouts. For this reason, attending workouts as often as possible is imperative. Reading texts will supplement your intellectual knowledge and understanding of search training methods, but your dog cannot read and must learn through experience. The latter goes for humans as well!
	What's my responsibility as a handler? There is considerable responsibility. As a search dog handler you are expected to have excellent navigational skills with a map and compass and GPS. You must be fit so as not to be a liability to your team and the greater search mission. You must be in control of your dog at all times and be able to read/interpret the body language of your dog. You must be able to follow directions and work independently for extended time periods. Maturity and good judgment are important qualifications for a handler to have - as a handler you are responsible for the safety of yourself, your dog, accompanying search team members, and the victim! Finally, all equipment, food, training, veterinary care, and transportation to workouts and searches, are the responsibility of the handler.
	What if I get a puppy and he/she doesn't work out?There are no guarantees in training a dog for search. First, evaluate the situation. Did the dog not have the necessary drive to do search or were you not able to put the time and effort into consistent training? Were you inconsistent in your methods and intermittent in training? Was the dog questionable from the start, difficult to work with, but you continued training anyway knowing it was an uphill battle? If the problem is with your ability to do the training, you may reconsider search work. Decide if you want to continue to pursue search and rescue as a dog team. If you do, you must then decide what to do with Fido, who has now "washed out". Some handlers find it difficult to have more than one dog, especially when one dog is a pet and the other demands attention and intensive training and time. The decision of what to do with Fido is a personal one. You would not be the first candidate handler to give a dog up and place it in a new home; neither would you be the first to juggle two dogs, one of which was a potential search dog who just didn't make it...