Socialization

Socialization is not limited to people. It also means exposure to everything the search dog could come into contact with while working. Environmental socialization includes exposure to noisy machinery, other animals, elevators, escalators, traffic, airports, helicopters, airplanes, climbing over rubble from collapsed buildings or debris from tornadoes. The dog must be comfortable with harness and rope training and being lowered into a dark confined space if the situation calls for that. A dog that is well socialized to all environments and walking on unstable structures will continue doing its job without worrying about its own safety. Obedience, agility, and endurance training are ongoing throughout the search dog's life. Dogs must be under control at all times as they work on and off lead. The ability to stop the dog in a split second could save its life.

Dog socialization after training