Search and rescue is a very important responsibility. People’s lives are at stake. Human beings work hand in hand with dogs for search and rescue efforts. This situation became very apparent in Louisiana during the after math of hurricane Katrina. For human beings it is a moral obligation to help someone in need, but dogs are amoral so they need proper training to become rescue dogs.
In searching for excellent rescue dogs, the people responsible must keep in mind the qualities that have to be met. Rescue dogs have to be highly intelligent, incomparably patient, sociable and extraordinarily trainable. An excellent candidate is the Golden Retriever. The qualities mentioned above are traits that can be found and is very inherent in Golden Retrievers; which is why Golden Retrievers rescue dogs are very popular anywhere in the world.
Golden Retrievers make very good watchdogs, mobility assistance dogs and search and rescue dogs, however they make very poor guard dogs. They bark loudly but it is very unlikely that they will attack anyone.
Training Golden Retriever rescue dogs are not very hard. This breed of dog is genetically hard wired to be patient, obedient and trainable. Start conditioning your dog while they are still young, so when they grow it will be very easy to ease them into training.
Timing is important when you’re training your dog. Their system of learning is based on stimulus-response. When your dog does something you don’t like, like chewing on your favorite pair of shoes you have to correct him immediately. A dog that barks incessantly needs more love and affection so spend more time with them.
We know your trying hard to prepare your dog for becoming a Golden Retriever rescue dog, but be patient do not try to be too quick as it will also create frustration on your part and the dog’s.
Golden Retrievers do extremely well in water. They are very adept to water conditions, so training them for water rescue will not be very difficult. As owners it is very important to modulate your tone of voice when giving commands. Handlers use tone of voice to give instructions to your dog when training them. So an early introduction to this system also helps.
Lastly the basic training you provide may well be used to your advantage. The attachment that bonds a Golden Retriever to his or her owner is a strong one. The dog will notice things that you won’t. The fundamentals you have taught your Golden Retriever will not only introduce him to rescue, he or she may very well be able to rescue you.
