This weekend, National Geographic Wild will be releasing a show called “Dogs Finding Dogs.” It features a group from the Maryland (USA) area who offer a service of search dogs tracking the scent of lost dogs. As glad as I am to see a show about lost pet recovery on TV, this group has a very different training philosophy than what I have regarding exactly how to use dogs finding dogs!

From what I have been told about the group featured in the program, they take less time to train their dogs finding dogs. In addition, the dog is then issued to (but not trained by) the handlers. In contrast, It is my opinion that in order to learn to “read” a search dog, you must be the one to help train that dog. Thus anyone affiliated with the Missing Animal Response Network who works a search dog is encouraged to to take my MAR K9 training program. It takes my students anywhere from 12 months to 18 months before their search dogs are ready for search work.

Here’s video of Siri, one of the MAR Network search dogs in training. (Siri is from the U.K. and I’m able to train handlers worldwide, thanks to the Internet!)

This was only Siri’s third training session and was his first time working an “urban” trailing practice. For the exception of Siri being distracted by marking / peeing along the way (an issue that is being addressed and, pardon the pun, “eliminated” in his training), this dog (and handler) is doing an incredible job showing the motivation / desire that is needed for dogs finding dogs.

And finally, I’ve  been told (by a former member of that group) that they use dog handlers who are not  trained in lost pet recovery. Training is critical if you plan to use dogs finding dogs! All of my students who plan to train a dog to find lost pets are required to take 10-week MAR Field Course to learn how to search for and recovery lost pets.

I’ve been training dogs to find lost pets since 1996 and have authored the only book (to my knowledge) on this subject. Many people will see this show and perhaps believe that I am associated with it or that I had something to do with the dogs and handlers featured. I am very prouc of my reputation and the reputation of the people I’ve trained.  To avoid confusion, I felt it was very important to point out that this Maryland group is not affiliated with me or my organization and I did NOT train the dogs finding dogs featured in the Nat Geo Show. I am proud to say, however, that I have trained (and continue to train) dogs just like Siri who’re doing a great job of finding lost dogs and cats!

Dogs Finding Dogs…and Cats, Too!

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