Even though I'm not new to the forum it's been forever since I've been here visiting. Edsel is now almost 2 1/2 years old! Seems almost impossible! So much has changed and yet some things remain the same....like jumping! Our biggest news is that in April we were accepted to begin our probationary period and start training with the Search and Rescue team here in my region. He is doing fabulously and I am trying to keep up. We have to get through the Canine Good Citizen test and I gave multiple courses and exams to complete and hopefully by spring of 2018 we'll be ready to take our national certification test as a K9 search and rescue team. So.... Anyway hello again to any of you we haven't met and hello again to any of you who might remember us from before. I'm looking forward to catching up and seeing what's new Lori & Edsel
Hi Lori, That sounds exciting and fun! Can I ask what you needed to qualify to get accepted to Search and Rescue?
They really just assessed Edsel for his play drive, focus and intensity and basic obedience. They look for dogs who are highly driven ( see borderline obsessed) with doing something for a reward. Whatever that might be. His happens to be fetching. He will have to pass the Canine Good Citizen test as far as specific obedience testing. As the handler I have to commit to training Edsel, attending team trainings, taking various SAR courses, CPR, First Aid and then we must past our national certification test before being deployed on searches. It's very exciting. Edsel of course just looks at it as wonderful play time. It can be a little overwhelming when I look at the volume of work but they plan for it to take 2 years to achieve certification.
