The search dogs with their humans (from left) Brendon
Kearns, Callum Grant and Matt Gunn. Photo by Martin Galley.
For avalanche dogs, a search and rescue mission to save
lives is little more than a game.
"Everything is game-based for the dogs," Treble Cone Search
Dogs Inc founder Matt Gunn said.
"Essentially, it's a hide-and-seek format for them. The dogs
are trained to recover things that are hidden. Their 'toy' is
under the snow, or in the hole somewhere, and they want to
find it."
The dogs, such Mr Gunn's border collie Blizzid who has about
10 years' experience in searching - the equivalent of 70 dog
years - soon develop a "drive" for the mountains, he says.
"They certainly know once winter arrives and it's amazing to
see their reactions when you get things ready for your first
trip back to the snow.
"You're getting the gear ready and the dogs know what's going
on. They're fizzing," he said.
The dog's "play drive" is the key element for good search
instincts.
"Not all dogs have it naturally and not all breeds suit
[avalanche search training]."
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