BASIC SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR HANDLING
 A SEARCH & RESCUE DOG

 A Search & Rescue handler must always be fully conversant with all safety precautions to prevent the dog from:

 GENERAL SAFETY CATEGORY 

 A dog should wear a collar of a recognized design at all times with the exception of whilst carrying out a search.

All associated equipment should be checked on a daily basis before commencement of any form of training, E.G. the dog’s collar for serviceability, lifting harness.     

Do not release your dog in to an area for loose exercise or obedience if there is a possibility of becoming involved in an accident or a dog fight.  A number of dog’s have been killed / injured through a moment’s lapse of concentration from the handler in these situations.

When opening a door of a kennel, vehicle or building do not give the dog the opportunity to get past you unless it is safe to do so.           

Before putting a dog into a kennel of any type it must be visually checked for serviceability and for any objects that could cause injury to the dog. E.G. sharp projections like protruding nails.

Before tethering a dog, the surrounding area must be checked for any objects that could cause injury to your dog E.G. hidden glass etc.

 Before tethering the dog in any area, the object that you are intending to use for a tethering post must be checked to make sure it will restrain the dog.

Tethering equipment (chain or rope) should be no more than 5ft in length and secured in a way to prevent the dog from becoming tangled up.  A rope tether should not be used to secure a dog that chews.

When tethering dogs in close proximity, precautions must be taken to make sure that there is adequate distance between dogs, so that there is no physical contact between them. 

Always tether dogs in a shaded area, especially in the hottest part of the day.

 There must always be clean water available to the dog at all times at the kennel location and at the place of work.

 Always allow sufficient time after feeding your dog before carrying out excessive exercise or work.   The delay of 1hr minimum is to prevent the dog from getting a twisted stomach on a full meal.  This condition can kill if veterinary treatment is not sought within hours.

Dog fights, the dog should never be dragged off from another dog it is biting.  The procedure that should be used is taking an overhand grasp of the dogs collar and twist it away from the body, at the same time the dog’s adam apple may be squeezed and the word of command ‘leave’ is given.

 Do not let your dog pick up any object in its mouth unless you know what it is.

 TRAINING

 General and dynamic risk assessments must always be carried out before commencing any type of search work, open areas,  collapse structures etc.  The handler must continuously access these areas whilst working to prevent the dog from becoming injured.  E.G. a fall from height or broken glass etc.

 Dogs boots should be worn at all times when working on collapsed structure environment to prevent the dog from injuring itself in an area of excessive debris.  

 Before making a dog jump or negotiate an object consider the fitness of the dog in respect of his health, standard of agility and freshness.  Due care and attention should be taken with dog’s under twelve months old as they are is still developing and growing.

 Prior to searching a collapsed building environment all dog associated equipment is to be removed from the dog to avoid entanglement such as collars, high visibility jackets, flea collars etc the only exception being dog boots and harness.

When working a dog away from your base location an adequate first aid kit and communications must be available, including a vehicle for transportation.

 All  natural agility objects must be checked, including the approach and landing areas for any potential hazards that may injury the dog.

 No Dog Team should be worked where there is insufficient light for the handler to see his dog, artificial lighting can be used to illuminate the search area. No Dog Team are to conduct a search of a collapsed building environment, without an additional team member to act as safety person.

 The handler should always try to keep his dog in sight at all times, especially then working collapsed structure environment.

 HEALTH     

If your dog does show undue signs of fatigue, the dog will need to be rested immediately before continuing any  activity.

 In hot weather avoid muzzling the dog (if needed at all) for long periods of time.

Avoid working your dog for prolonged strenuous periods in hot weather conditions as this may increase the chances of heat stroke developing.

 On completion of any work / training session, individual dogs should be thoroughly checked for any possible injury that may have been sustained.

 TRANSPORT

Dogs must always be keep clear of vehicle doors and tail gates when they are being open/closed or raised/lowered.

When dogs are being loaded on and off vehicles all precautions must be made to prevent a paw or leg becoming caught in any part of the vehicle.

When transporting in any form of transportation the animals should be in a secure portable cage unless they are supervised by a competent person at all times. 

 All precautions must be made to prevent a dog from jumping from a moving or static vehicle.

 If there is a possibility of dog’s attempting to fight whilst being transported in close proximity they must be muzzled, but more importantly caged separately or kept at a safe distance apart.