APSC Test 3 SAR DOGS

history of SAR dogs

• locate missing persons

• military and disaster applications

• evolved into modern specialized search teams

types of search and rescue dogs

trailing, tracking, air-scent, cadaver, disaster, avalanche and water search dogs

implications of SAR dogs

includes physical demands, handler-dog teamwork, accuracy, endurance, behavioral soundness and proper training

tactical athlete model

training approach treating SAR dogs like elite athletes, focusing on conditioning, mobility, strength, endurance and injury prevention

what is the Spring test

a physical fitness and performance assessment for SAR dogs measuring strength, flexibility, mobility and core stability

what is the canimetric protocol and assessment?

a standardized method of measuring a dog’s fitness and biomechanics using objective exercises and scoring

what is evaluated in posture sit and squats, posture down, and plank exercises?

core strength, balance, body control, endurance, and musculoskeletal health

what are plank scores?

scores that assess a dog’s muscular endurance and core stabilization during a plank-style position 

engagement definition

how quickly and enthusiastically a dog begins searching

latency definition

delay between beginning the task and actively performing the search behavior  

innate definition

present at birth, instinctual

learned definition

acquired through experience

imprinting definition

early-life learning forming strong attachments 

abnormal behavior

behavior that is dysfunctional, repetitive, harmful, or not typical for the species

what is canine social behavior and communication?

includes body posture, vocalizations, scent, tail/wag patterns, facial expressions, and social hierarchies  

what is feline social behavior and communication?

scent marking, body posture, tail movements, vocalizations, and solitary-but-social interactions

epimeletic definition

care-giving behavior

et-epimeletic definition

care-seeking behavior

allelomimetic definition

copying or mimicking others

what is the “ladder of aggression”?

a model showing escalating warning signals a dog gives before biting

what are the most important behavioral problems?

aggression, inappropriate elimination, anxiety, phobias, compulsive behaviors, and destructive behaviors 

stereotypy definition

repetitive, purposeless behavior

stereotype definition

general model or pattern, not necessarily behavioral

what are stereotypic behaviors? 

repetitive behaviors caused by stress, frustration, confinement, or lack of mental stimulation  

are stereotypic behaviors or diseases?

they can be both; examples include flank sucking in Dobermans and wool sucking in cats