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IDHS > About IDHS > Training & Exercise > Training Branch > Search and Rescue Training Program > Search And Rescue K-9 Training Program > K-9 Search and Rescue Courses K-9 Search and Rescue Courses

Course Prefixes
K9xxx indicates courses designed for canine handlers and their canines or those interested in how canines are trained and work (Note: dog not required for course, observers welcome)
SARxxx indicates ground search and search management courses

Course numbers designate the level of training:
100 courses are workshops and foundation training
200 courses are Basic level courses
300 courses are Intermediate level courses
400 courses are Advanced level courses
500 courses are Specialty courses

K9100 -K-9 LEARNING THEORY: 5hrs
Max # Students 30, K-9 15
This one day class is for beginner to advanced handlers wanting to better understand how to train their canine partners. The course begins with an interactive lecture (translation: plan to participate!) on canine learning theory. Discover “how” your dog learns! Topics include stages of learning, reinforcement schedules, methods of learning and chaining behaviors. Some class time will be spent in the field putting the learning theories into practice.

K9101 -K-9 SKILLS DAY: 8hrs
Max # Students 20, K-9 15
This one day workshop is for beginner to advanced handlers wanting to focus on problem areas they are experiencing with their dog. Trainers will be available to assist with your training needs. The primary focus will be on foundation and alerting skills

K9102 -INTRODUCTION TO THE USE OF K-9s: 2hrs
Max # Students 20, K9 0
This short class is designed to introduce emergency management directors, law enforcement officers, dive teams and others that may need to utilize K-9 search teams on what K-9s can and cannot do, how to utilize them, when to call them, etc.. If you are responsible for search and rescue or are considering becoming involved, this class is for you.

K9103 -OBEDIENCE AND AGILITY WORKSHOP: 8hrs
Max # Students 20, K-9 15
This is a one day class for those wanting to focus on problem areas they are experiencing with their dog in the areas of obedience and agility and also a great way to introduce dogs and handlers to new techniques and equipment.


K9104 -K9 MOTIVATION AND HELPER SKILLS: 8hrs
Max # Students 20, K-9 10
This one day course focuses on training the dog to work in a higher drive. This course also offers a chance for the student to learn how to assist the handler in training the dog through proper play and timing skills.

K9105- K9 First Aid: 8hrs
Max # students 20, K-9 10
This one day courses focuses on teaching the student basic k9 first aid principals. K9 assessment, what is normal. Bandaging, splinting and other skills needed to render assistance to a k9 in an emergency. This course is recommended for anyone involved with working with or around k9s.

K9200 -BASIC AIR SCENTING TECHNIQUES FOR K-9s: 8hrs
Max # Students 20, K-9 10
This one day class is designed to introduce K-9 teams with techniques used to locate live missing/lost persons.  The class is open to those wishing to train their canine to air-scent for live subjects. A combination of classroom lecture and field exercises will provide the student with information and techniques for, scent theory, developing a solid alert and drive building, training progression and much more.  This is a pre-requisite for all intermediate and advanced air scent courses.
PRE-REQUISITES:

  • OBEDIENCE & AGILITY (or equivalent)
  • ICS 100 (Introduction to Incident Command)
  • IS 700 (Introduction to NIMS)

    K9300 -INTERMEDIATE AIR SCENTING TECHNIQUES FOR K-9s: 16hrs
    Max # Students 20, K-9 10
    This two day course expands on what was learned in the basic level. The handler is taught how to develop a training plan and how to set up problems based on their training objectives.
    PRE-REQUISITES:

  • CPR & FIRST AID
  • OBEDIENCE & AGILITY (or equivalent)
  • K9200 BASIC AIR SCENTING TECHNIQUES FOR K-9 TEAMS.
  • ICS 100 (Introduction to Incident Command)
  • IS 700 (Introduction to NIMS)

    K9400 -ADVANCED AIR SCENTING SEARCH TECHNIQUES FOR K-9s:16hrs
    Max # Students20, K-9 10
    This two day class is designed to help experienced K-9 teams with tactics used during the search for missing/lost persons in the wilderness environment. The class is open to air-scent teams. There will also be exercises in land navigation and clue finding. Training is hands-on: scenarios and training exercises are set up based on the dog and handler’s experience level.
    PRE-REQUISITES:

  • CPR & FIRST AID
  • OBEDIENCE & AGILITY (or equivalent)
  • K9200 BASIC & K9300 INTERMEDIATE AIR SCENTING TECHNIQUES FOR K-9 TEAMS.
  • ICS 100 (Introduction to Incident Command)
  • IS 700 (Introduction to NIMS)
  • ICS 200 (Basic Incident Command)


    K9210 -BASIC LAND CADAVER SEARCH TECHNIQUES FOR K-9s: 8hrs
    Max # Students 20, K9 10
    This is a one day class designed to introduce K9 teams to techniques used to locate human remains. Students will learn how to handle and store training aids, basic scent theory, and proper handling of training material. Field training will consist of imprinting the dog on the cadaver scent and developing a solid alert. This class is applicable to both search dog teams and law enforcement teams.  This is a pre-requisite for all intermediate and advanced cadaver courses.
    PRE-REQUISITES:

  • CPR & FIRST AID
  • OBEDIENCE & AGILITY (or equivalent)
  • ICS 100 (Introduction to Incident Command)
  • IS 700 (Introduction to NIMS)

    K9310 -INTERMEDIATE LAND CADAVER SEARCH TECHNIQUES FOR K-9s: 8hrs
    Max # Students 20, K-9 10
    This two day Course expands on what was learned in the basic level. The handler is taught how to develop a training plan and how to set up problems based on their training objectives.
    PRE-REQUISITES:

  • CPR & FIRST AID
  • K9210 BASIC LAND CADAVER COURSE
  • OBEDIENCE & AGILITY (or equivalent)
  • ICS 100 (Introduction to Incident Command)
  • IS 700 (Introduction to NIMS)

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    K9410 -ADVANCED LAND CADAVER SEARCH TECHNIQUES FOR K-9s: 16hrs
    Max # Students 20, K-9 10
    This two day class will help experienced K-9 teams in techniques used to locate human remains. Land cadaver problems will cover vehicles, surface, buried, and hanging problems. Training will be hands-on with minimal classroom time. Scenarios and training exercises are set up based on the dog and handler’s experience level.
    PRE-REQUISITES:

  • CPR & FIRST AID,
  • K9210 BASIC & K9310 INTERMEDIATE LAND CADAVER COURSES
  • OBEDIENCE & AGILITY (or equivalent)
  • ICS 100 (Introduction to Incident Command)
  • IS 700 (Introduction to NIMS)
  • ICS 200 (Basic Incident Command)

    K9220 -BASIC TRACKING/TRAILING TECHNIQUES FOR K-9s: 8hrs
    Max # Students 20, K-9 10
    This one day class is for those teams wishing to start their dog in trailing and scent discrimination techniques. Field training will consist of how to get started, leash handling, and scent theory. This class is applicable to both search dog teams and law enforcement teams. Training will be hands-on with minimal classroom time. Scenarios and training exercises are set up based on the dog and handler’s experience level.
    PRE-REQUISITES:

  • OBEDIENCE & AGILITY (or equivalent)
  • ICS 100 (Introduction to Incident Command)
  • IS 700 (Introduction to NIMS)


    K9420 -ADVANCED TRACKING/TRAILING TECHNIQUES FOR K-9S: 16HRS
    Max # Students 20, K-9 10
    This two day class is for those teams with experience in trailing and scent discrimination techniques. Field training will consist of urban, rural, and wilderness trails (with single and multiple victims) “line-ups”, car trails, negative trails, nighttime exercises, and more. This class is applicable to both search dog teams and law enforcement teams. Training will be hands-on with minimal classroom time. Scenarios and training exercises are set up based on the dog and handler’s experience level.
    PRE-REQUISITES:

  • CPR & FIRST AID
  • OBEDIENCE & AGILITY (or equivalent)
  • K9220 BASIC TRACKING/TRAILING TECHNIQUES FOR K-9s
  • ICS 100 (Introduction to Incident Command)
  • IS 700 (Introduction to NIMS)
  • ICS 200 (Basic Incident Command)

    K9500 -WATER CADAVER SEARCH TECHNIQUES FOR K-9s: 16hrs
    Max # Students 20, K-9 10
    This two day class is open to those teams that are land cadaver trained. This course will help those new to water search as well as those experienced in water cadaver search. Training will include; scent theory, search strategy, boat safety and hands-on training on the water. Scenarios and training exercises are set up based on the dog and handler’s experience level. Water cadaver problems will cover both shoreline and open water searches. (Your dog must have a solid alert on land in order to participate in water exercises)
    PRE-REQUISITES:

  • CPR & FIRST AID
  • K9210 BASIC LAND CADAVER COURSE
  • OBEDIENCE & AGILITY (or equivalent)
  • ICS 100 (Introduction to Incident Command)
  • IS 700 (Introduction to NIMS)
  • BASIC WATER SAFETY (Strongly Recommended)

    K9550 -BASIC BUILDING SEARCH TECHNIQUES FOR K-9s: 8hrs
    Max # Students 20, K-9 10
    This one day class is designed to help new as well as experienced K-9 teams with tactics used during the search for missing/lost persons or human remains in buildings. Training is hands-on, scenarios and training exercises are set up based on the dog and handler’s experience level.
    PRE-REQUISITES:

  • CPR & FIRST AID
  • OBEDIENCE & AGILITY (or equivalent)
  • K9210 BASIC LAND CADAVER COURSE or K9200 BASIC AIR SCENTING TECHNIQUES FOR K-9 TEAMS
  • ICS 100 (Introduction to Incident Command)
  • IS 700 (Introduction to NIMS)


    K9552 -ADVANCED BUILDING SEARCH TECHNIQUES FOR K-9s: 16hrs
    Max # Students 20, K-9 10
    This 2-day class expands on what was learned in the Basic course. Emphases will be placed on search tactics, night searching and problem solving. Training is hands-on, scenarios and training exercises are set up based on the dog and handler’s experience level.
    PRE-REQUISITES:

  • CPR & FIRST AID
  • OBEDIENCE & AGILITY (or equivalent)
  • K9210 BASIC LAND CADAVER COURSE or K9200 BASIC AIR SCENTING TECHNIQUES FOR K-9 TEAMS
  • K9550 BASIC BUILDING SEARCH TECHNIQUES FOR K9s
  • ICS 100 (Introduction to Incident Command)
  • IS 700 (Introduction to NIMS)
  • ICS 200 (Basic Incident Command)

    K9530-INTRODUCTION TO DISASTER SEARCH TECHNIQUES FOR K-9s: 16hrs
    Max # Students 20, K-9 15
    This two day class is designed to introduce K-9 search teams to the specialized field of disaster response. Students will train in the areas of agility, obedience, alert work, and drive building. Students will also have the opportunity to practice their skills on 3 rubble piles.
    PRE-REQUISITES:

  • CPR & FIRST AID
  • OBEDIENCE & AGILITY (or equivalent)
  • K9200 BASIC AIR SCENTING TECHNIQUES FOR K-9 TEAMS
  • ICS 100 (Introduction to Incident Command)
  • IS 700 (Introduction to NIMS)
  • AWR-160 WMD AWARENESS (or equivalent)
  • HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AWARENESS

    For more information write to Lillian Hardy
    or call 812-526-0013

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