Today, Quax and I started testing for our area search certifications. The first test that a team has to take is an “off trail” test. The handler and K-9 walk down a hiking trail or logging road, as a hasty search and somewhere between a 1/2 – 3/4 mile there is a subject 30-100 feet off the trail hiding. This is the first of five tests that an area search dog must pass.
This test was given in Hancock, NY. Quax and I took off down the trail. After about 6/10ths of a mile down the trail, several deer jumped up and darted across through the woods….. just before deer had appeared, Quax had gotten into the scent cone of the subject. As he started to run I wasn’t sure if he was running to the subject or running after the deer so I called him to me and he immediately turned around and came back. I waited a moment and praised him. Then sent him back to work and he went straight out there and located the subject, came back and gave his bark indication and guided me right back to the subject. A little bit more stress than necessary but a good test of the dog.
The second test of the day was the “20 acre moving subject” test: this test is to mimic a subject with dementia. The subject is walking in a 1-2 acre area the entire time despondent to the K-9 upon the find.
I explained to my tester how I was going to cover the search area, by gridding; north to south and south to north. We made two and half passes through our area and Quax took off like a shot! …. he came back with that very happy, yet serious stare. Came to a screaking hault in front of me and gave his very German bark indication. I said, “show me” and he had to do several refinds between me and the subject. It was a good day.
