Turning SHELTER DOGS Into LIFE SAVING Search & Rescue Dogs (SAR)- EP.81

[@catherineabramson5460]

How LUCKY you are!! My dog came from a shelter. She was part Airedale and part muskrat. My neighbor was a retired police officer. I told him my new pup was "always on her nose." She was completely scent driven. He suggested I train her for search, not just search but cadaver. I was initially shocked, but coming from a medical family, I was fascinated. We trained by going to seminars and by starting out with formal AKC tracking though never competed. We gravited to water recovery and that was her strength. Living a mile from a large lake, we started to get call outs. There was no team, no backup, just the cops, divers, and me. There were many difficulties, a lot of them political. Certainly no financial reward, only satisfaction of keeping the divers safe by pinpointing locations in very dark, deep, and dangerous waters. My dog loved the search. There was no special reward for her either but she was the most empathic dog I've ever known. And, it was enough for her...and the cops always had food. It seems like a million years ago and there is no replacing her. Thanks for the memories.

[@rose8662]

Beautiful story, Catherine. Thanks for sharing. Brought tears to my eyes. How blessed your dog was by you, and you by your dog. ❤🐶❤

[@lindalane2244]

Wow! What an amazing relationship and experience you must have had with your dog.

[@Karina-Loves-Andreas]

That short video made me cry. I'm sure this podcast was planned well in advance, it's a strange coincidence this is so timely with the current Miami Condo disaster, 4 dead, 159 people missing at this point. Apparently fires have started in the rubble and there's a lot of smoke. I pray the dogs that are at the scene RIGHT NOW stay safe, and miraculously find some survivors even though the situation seems so grim. What a WONDERFUL organization to support! Thanks so much for your efforts, ladies.😥❤❤

[@jasmineschultz7298]

I work here and was following you already and it was so cool seeing one of my bosses faces in my list of new subscribed videos!!

[@mayandogrescuefoundation]

amazing..... Denise and Mandy from the Search Dog Foundation I could listen all day and night so much info based on a day! the breakdowns on dogs tiers training living conditions ... AWESOME! they should come EAST do the same thing.. I would volunteer to clean kennels or wash walls just to be around them! GREAT WORK.. thanks Robert for bringing them out to others working with rescues !

[@Terrierized]

Imagine being homeless and someone reached out to you with some food, and then some bedding.. then welcomed into a new family.. But then given the opportunity of a lifetime, to have such an exciting new path laid out for them. Huge honour to you folks

[@Maryellengray]

That short film made me cry. Happy cry of course.

[@saraleebakerson6911]

So inspiring and I always cry seeing these dogs do rescues!

[@CathyKeating]

I found this to be so moving. Especially your PSA which just had me bawling. There are so many dogs out there, and in homes, that are underutilized. Their skills and talents are undiscovered and their needs for engagement unmet. Thank you for providing a place and an outlet for so many of these dogs, and for the amazing and heroic work that you do with them. 🙇🏻‍♀🙇🏻‍♀🙇🏻‍♀

[@RobertCabralDogs]

You are so kind

[@medjango6586]

Your podcasts keep getting better, mad respect.

[@Ejs_Chicken_Sandwiches_]

These women are National Treasures! Once again thank you for a great podcast video! I’m currently enrolled in ABC to become a certified dog trainer and you channel motivates and inspires my work ethic. Much love from Seattle.

[@paintedpony2935]

I had 1 search and rescue GSD dog. He worked recovery in a California wild fire in 1987. Although he saved/found 2 children, I was not prepared for the 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his body. I could never do search and rescue again. That's why I got seriously into tracking and Schutzhund as a sport. PROPS to you for being consistent and compassionate. I could not do what you have mastered.

[@catherineabramson5460]

Looking for children scared me absolutely to death.

[@Karina-Loves-Andreas]

I love the idea of teaching/training search & rescue for finding lost children, lost elderly dementia sufferers, lost pets in relatively safe tracking environments, but watching a dog I love going into rubble or smoke & fire --- I couldn't handle that.

[@paintedpony2935]

@@Karina-Loves-Andreas that's exactly what motivated me to train him. Yet despite the valuable information and advice given to me by other trainers and fire fighters, I was not prepared for the amount of burns and scarring my dog suffered. He loved it. I did not.

[@Karina-Loves-Andreas]

@@paintedpony2935 Out of curiosity, was he willing to do it again after the first time he got burned? It's really lovely that this SAR organization pairs trained adult rescue dogs with professional handlers. I'm sure the Search & Rescue Firefighters get attached to these dogs, but since they were paired in a "professional/working" context, it's probably different watching the dog go into harm's way. My German Shepherd was eating East Coast Cicadas occasionally over the last month & half (they're pretty much back to sleep for 17 years now). Two days ago, he went after a wasp before I could stop him, ate it but got stung. Has been scratching his nose red ever since. I've been giving dog-safe antihistamines and "doggy motrin" (Rovera, I think is the brand name?) on a regular basis since (I couldn't find the stinger to pull out). There's NO WAY I could handle antually sending him into harm's way, I'd be an absolute wreck (a bee sting or an occasional bump, a yelp, & a short duration limp makes me panic)! It would be "one & done" for me, and like you, I'd probably feel bad or at least conflicted for awhile afterward. Professional Handlers with adult, rescue trained dogs make so much more sense, I'm glad they're doing it this way. Was your dog traumatized & done after the first burn injury, or happy to do the work again? Do you still love and train dogs? I imagine so, as you're tuned into Robert. Thank you and your old chap who's no longer with us for the service he performed. It sounds like there are two adult humans who owe their lives to him. What a blessing he performed for the grateful parents of those kids, as well. Hugs & thanks sent to you!

[@sharmancollins5594]

BRILLIANT..Thank you for the most amazing Podcast

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

Such an interesting interview, thank you Robert (and Janet).

[@bettymcconnell1011]

How wonderful this chat was my GSD loves to run for little branches I watched her she can go into a pile of wood and pick out that little stick now I make it part of her routine 9out of 10 times she will always find the one I have thrown for her I sometimes think it is such a waste to have these fantastic animals just as pets thanks for great video

[@CappuccinoDogTraining]

So much respect for all the free education you provide the public. Watching your channel was a big game changer for me in my training career and definitely helped me become the trainer I am today. Thanks Robert!

[@RobertCabralDogs]

My pleasure.

[@GK-mv1vu]

What a beautiful project! So Amazing ❤️

[@SamHaberONE]

I enjoyed this immensely. Big thanks to all of you for this content.

[@margaretcole6264]

My cousin used corgis for searching years ago when Mexico city had the earthquake. They were light enough to not fall through debris. She said they got depressed when they couldn't find any more living people.

[@catherineabramson5460]

I had a Schipperke that learned a cadaver alert at 7 weeks and could distinguish between human and pork, beef, chicken, etc. On 9/11, I was picking him up from his breeder who was short listed for the Pentagon search, helping her pack and transferring this puppy. Crazy time!

[@jannellmeagher638]

Some of our pups from Southeastern Guide Dogs have gone onto become fabulous Search and Rescue and even B and A. They have purpose.

[@monikazweifel777]

Very interesting and super informative. Really passionate people.

[@walida412]

Great podcast! I watched a show on HBO called The Investigation that’s based on a true story and they used cadaver dogs to detect human remains in the ocean! It blew my mind away.

[@LauraHopkinsCDL]

Amazingly interesting Ladies and Robert. Thank you all : )

[@susanwhite1641]

Loved this

[@catherineabramson5460]

I can't finish your interview now but I will!

[@laynesellers]

Thank you for another fantastic interview. I’ve thought about volunteering for SAR here in the Central Valley near Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings. The single task element is always interesting no matter what the job.

[@Meeleefosterbubbas-bq9ii]

I'm interested in helping out like being a search and rescue dog team for ex., but I'm not sure what the steps r, does sar have different locations located in different parts of the us? Even help out with my personal dog(s)

[@tessag5699]

Thank you. Great video.

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Glad you liked it!

[@deback4949]

Finally some SAR like tf i care if my Dutchy bites 😂 this is the stuff legends are made of😍 more SAR content plz Robert

[@deback4949]

@Steven Faulds 🙄

[@deback4949]

@Steven Faulds i can't understand u my English is fine 😂

[@lillieberger2883]

??

[@kyle6209]

Please have these two back on,

[@wiv3984]

Loved this!!!!

[@Smithers556]

Every time you talk to Janet I honestly DIE, you're too cute

[@LorettaPowell]

Wow, impressive

[@c.b.7830]

This was about 2 hour too short. Honestly, I could have soaked up the information all day. Freaking awesome.

[@donald6845]

Mr.Robert, Another Blessed video. Anything you are selling I am buying……

[@4me2know4]

The toy drive sounds like my malinois. I have a few years of wilderness servival and woild love to get involved. Im currently in Florida and would love any help getting involved in SARs

[@vikingdogmanship]

Blessings❤🙏

[@oscarpalacios7198]

Great interview

[@thedogfather1204]

Awesome podcast ✌️

[@eliseholton9284]

Great Podcast 😀

[@cammcvittie9004]

?? Hello Robert, I started watching your videos about 5 months ago. I want to sign up for the membership on your website. Before I do I have one question. I plan to get a male Czech line Gsd. I currently have a 10 year old male neutered high drive gsd. If I get the Czech line gsd and keep him intact until about 2 years as the breeder suggested, will the two dogs fight because of this? I plan to use your membership to train my next dog. My current dog is dog friendly. Thank you so much for your response. It’s always good to watch your videos. Congratulations on 200k subscribers.

[@lillieberger2883]

If you have a friendly dog and are getting a puppy, you shouldn’t have a problem if you introduce them slowly and correctly. There are videos out there showing how to do this and I’ve heard Robert speak about this as well. Just be sure to be your older dogs advocate and not allow the new puppy to badger him and constantly bite at him. Know when and where to allow play and break it off when things are getting too much. I have a six y.o. Shepherd and a new husky puppy that’s nuts. I’ve taught them both to sit and take a break with treats, then go to their place and relax. The puppy still requires some guidance to go to her place, but she’s getting there.

[@cammcvittie9004]

@@lillieberger2883 thank you, my current dog is highly trained. So it shouldn’t be a problem. Thank you so much. I’ve had high drive dogs for years but never 2 at once. Thanks! Good luck with your puppy!

[@Karina-Loves-Andreas]

I'm surprised you don't hear of more small "nose dogs" for some of this work in rubble/dangerous building areas, like Rat Terriers or Beagles.

[@catherineabramson5460]

I've known Jack Russells and pitbulls, and I've thought Schnauzer would be good. They are excellent agility dogs. In the southeast and midwest, tornadoes are a real threat. Those little terriers can go where the big dogs can't. They are tough, have endless energy, and have a longer working life usually. Law enforcement feels silly with a little terrier on the end of a leash. They have an image problem.

[@Karina-Loves-Andreas]

@@catherineabramson5460 Yes! But who cares what a little dog looks like in SAR? If you have a small working line scent dog, the kind of dog who performs spectacularly in "barn hunt", for example (terriers & Beagles), I'd think those little ones could handle rubble more safely than heavier dogs. I think about the "Giant Rats" successfully trained for detecting landmines, because they aren't heavy enough to set off an old landmine. ,And these big, beautiful Labs for example, certainly aren't trained for Police "bitework". Their ONLY job is SAR scent detection & alerting on scent. This was a fascinating podcast, wasn't it?🐾🌟🐾🌟🐾🌟🐾🌟🐾🌟

[@catherineabramson5460]

@karina I'm not disagreeing, my Schipperke was trained in forensics. Times are different. When I was working in SAR, dogs were trained in multiple disciplines. After 9/11, FEMA insisted dogs be single purpose dogs (as these ladies are training). Funding was provided to LE for single purpose dogs (many were imported) and LE had to defend their budgets. Consequently, many of the civilians like myself were weeded out as LE added more dogs to their departments. In my opinion, this was a mistake. Time will come when we will need all the handlers and general purpose dogs we can find to track, air scent, disaster, water recovery, article search and so on. These single use dogs will not have the breadth of training needed. I've seen the results in a few cases. Where will they come from? Where will our experienced trainers come from I've? We are importing everything these days. Not good. I've checked into robots and drones but have been told to stick to our dogs. That being said, a good multipurpose small dog is perfect unless covering heavy wilderness terrain over long distances (where mechanics might be better). I'm a small dog fan. LE, on the other hand, is not. I think they are beginning to see the need for cross training. I've taken up to much of Robert's chat but thank you for letting me express my opinions. God bless and stay safe.

[@Karina-Loves-Andreas]

@@catherineabramson5460 You too, Catherine! So interesting! I've toyed with idea for my working line GSD, but so far, not showing much aptitude for tracking & scentwork. Have a great rest of your weekend!😉❤

[@catherineabramson5460]

@@Karina-Loves-Andreas People used to say that only 1 out of 30 or 35 preselected dogs could certify. That is 1 out of 30 "working dogs". My dog was luckily an exception. I was fortunate to meet Eagle and his handler Sandy. Eagle could find remains of ancient people, hundreds of years old. As he grew older, Sandy cheated and planted evidence to cover for him. It was a terrible scandal and many cases were overturned. Sandy went to prison and Eagle died. A sad, sad story but Eagle was beyond exceptional. A Doberman cross who had come from the pound as did my dog. Money doesn't guarantee quality at all. Drive, intelligence, and work ethic is the key. Big or little package and pieces of paper don't matter.

[@MichaelWinistorfer-eu8gt]

I breed and train Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds for LE and Military. I have been considering taking on shelter dogs in these breeds and GSDs (only because I have over 30 years experience with them from my own service in the military and law enforcement). Is there a high demand for these? I'm not charging for the dog or the training of the dog, only for training the handlers. I will not release a dog to anyone until they complete my handler training for the dog's sake. I have to know that they can handle one of my dogs and I train them in a very specific way and my dogs are not ever taught English, so they do not understand English commands. I never speak English to them so that they can easily determine when I am speaking to them or someone else. I want to do this for the dogs, but if I can help the canines and the humans at the same time it is just a bonus.

[@Meeleefosterbubbas-bq9ii]

I'm interested in being a search and rescue dog team for ex. helping out, but I'm not sure where to start. Pls help me

[@RobertCabralDogs]

contact them!

[@chereeheppe5152]

What specifically did you mean by even

[@rook1689]

Hi Robert. As Joe Rogan always says to his guests... "Just move the mic a fist away from your mouth". Your voice is perfect, the guests are too low. ;-)

[@samgould9930]

Can't concentrate on this interview all I see is a picture of a dead zebra!

[@paulmfti]

Wow…you guys are so well behaved…repitition, is the mother of skill… no? That is why I will,never date a dog trainer…or have dog trainer friends…my mind would not be my own…