Top of Virginia Search and Rescue
Bloodhound Support
Assigned
To Go With a Bloodhound Team?
At some time you may be assigned to go with a Bloodhound Team. Whether you are a walker, sign cutter, etc. your task is the same. But, it will be different than if you were going out on a task that was focusing on your specialty.
When assigned with a Bloodhound Team, the focus is on the dog’s work. The handler will not put up with you interfering with the dogs work. Make sure that you brief with the handler on what they expect of you, let them know what you can do. That way they will know what expertise you may have to offer and you will know what is expected of you.
Sign cutters will all of a sudden find that they are following, instead of leading. You will be moving at a much faster pace than you are used to. You will be the eyes of the dog team. Looking side to side as you go, looking for clues, the person, etc. You are the member that should be trying to keep track of where the team is. If you can fit some sign cutting in as you go, fine. Don’t expect the dog team to stop, for you to investigate. If the dog team stops for a break or whatever, DON’T start wandering around! If you want to cast around, ask the handler if they mind. If you find something, don’t expect the handler to take their dog to that location. They are going to start where they stopped. And, they are going to go where the dog goes.
If the dog team comes to a location where they cannot figure it out you could offer to circle the area and see if you could locate some sign. They could cast their dog through that area to see if the dog shows any interest. This is something that you should have discussed with the handler during the introductory briefing.
Remember the handler will be very focused on what their dog is doing. And, they are expecting for you to keep up and stay behind them.
As you are moving briskly along, keep track of the sign you see. You don’t need to tell the handler everything you are seeing. But, if they come to a loss, you can advise them of your observations. And, also advise the command post during your debriefing.
This will definitely be a different type of task for you, and do not think that you are not an important part of this team. Dog handlers depend on their backups more than the other type of teams, because the dog handler is not paying attention to anything but their dog. So, when something happens, they will be looking at you to know anything else! Now, that is a very important part of a team.
