For the amazing Border Collie,
search and rescue is its game. This dog breed will seek and find anything
that they are
trained to look for. These dogs are used in search and rescue operations
because of their high intelligence and nose that never quits. At the
same time, they can be very sensitive to peoples' feelings, and that is just
what is required on a job like this. There is a lot of training that goes into
search and rescue dogs, and not all of them are up
to the task, but a Border Collie fits the bill
quite nicely.
Of course, to train a Border Collie in search and rescue takes more than the normal training a dog usually gets. Owners need to be trained in the art of search and rescue, also. They have to know how to read the winds, to be able to read weather conditions, and they also have to know about water movements in order to make the Border Collies the best that they can be. They also need to know about how scent travels and most of all, to trust the dog they are working with.
Training a Border Collie for search and rescue has to begin while it is still a puppy. The dogs must be exposed to different conditions, and must be encouraged to solve problems on their own. The difficulty of the task must gradually increase as they meet each challenge. They can start out by finding people and things, and then hiding places as time goes on. There is one thing that is critical to the training, and that is to have lots of tasty treats and lots of praise when something is done properly.
When it comes to scent training, a Border Collie in
search and rescue may find it a little challenging, as it is the most
difficult part of the training, but they usually come through this with flying
colors. Before this part of training takes place, the trainer has to become
familiar with how scent
travels. 
Particles from everything that moves can travel
through the air and come to rest on anything. Some
Border Collie search and rescue dogs find these particles by sniffing the
air; others work with their noses on the ground, picking up clues from grass and
soil.
Search and rescue handlers must also know water movements and how it affects the objects around it, in order to give the dog the best chance of succeeding. Water can also diffuse scents, and currents can make it difficult for them to find scents. But if the dog is trained early enough, then it will have no problem accomplishing this task. Training the dog to follow your scent is a good start. These can be done in short sessions at first, and then you can extend them as your puppy grows. It is wise to practice this in all kinds of weather so the dog can be accustomed to sniffing out tracks under all kinds of circumstances. Training your Border Collie search and rescue well enough can be a very rewarding experience for both you and your dog.
