FAQ
MarK9 Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is MarK9?
2. How do I join MarK9?
3. What kind of dog can I train for SAR?
4. Do I have to start with a puppy?
5. How long will the training take?
6. What skills will I need to learn?
7. What must I train my dog to do?
8. Is this time consuming?
9. Is this expensive?
10. Do I have to be in good physical condition?
1. What is MarK9?
MarK9 is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation, Maricopa K-9 Search and Rescue, Inc., We are an all-volunteer search and rescue (SAR) dog unit. We are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to assist the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) and other agencies (local and statewide) in emergency responses to help find lost victims. MarK9 is also a posse of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. Note that there is no paid positions and most equipment is paid for by individuals.
Back to Questions
2. How do I join MarK9? The first step is to contact us at maricopak9@gmail.com. You will be send a prospective member packet which explains the process. To join MarK9 you must be a MCSO Posse member. This is a separate application process that you can start immediately. The prospective member packet will give you all the necessary details you will need to join both MCSO and MarK9. It will also give you some idea of the time commitment and amount of work required to become an operational team member. Back to Questions
3. What kind of dog can I train for SAR?
There are numerous breeds of dogs that are capable of doing SAR work, though you will see that most are from working, herding or sporting breeds. Some breeds are more suitable than others. Not all breeds of dogs and not all dogs within a breed have the temperament and talent to do the work required. Dogs at the extreme ends of the size range, i.e. very small or very large, tend not to be well suited for this work. The dog does not have to be a purebred, though you may have the advantage with a pedigreed dog to look at the parents as a guideline for temperament and working ability.
If you don't already have a dog, a good idea is to spend some time at some of our training session to observe different breeds before you make up your mind. Talk to different people about the pros and cons of their breed in doing search work. Certain breeds may have inherent traits and talents that make them either easier or sometimes more difficult to train than other breeds. If you are set on a specific breed, you will usually be better off buying from a working line and not a show line. Investigate genetic diseases of the breed and make sure you get your dog from a line that has had minimal or no health problems. A reputable breeder should be able to answer any questions you have about health problems as well as working ability. You don't want to put years of hard work into training a dog just to find out later that it is not capable of doing the work due to a genetically linked disease. You want to start with a dog that has as much potential as possible to do the work.
Back to Questions
4. Do I have to start with a puppy? No. You may train an older dog for SAR. However, one of the advantages of training a puppy is that it will most likely have a longer working career. Younger dogs may not have acquired unsuitable habits or behaviors that may have to be untrained. You can also often train desirable behaviors into a puppy a little easier than into an older dog. Can I train more than one dog at the same time for SAR? It takes a great deal of time and commitment to train even one dog. So if you have more than one dog, we recommend that you concentrate on just one unless you are an experienced dog trainer. We can help you evaluate which dog would make a better candidate for SAR work.
Back to Questions
5. How long will the training take? You should plan on 1 1/2 - 3 years to train your dog and to gain the skills you need to become a mission ready team.
Back to Questions
6. What skills will I need to learn? MarK9 requires that you are a support searcher prior to certifying with a canine. In order to do this you will need to become proficient in navigational skills including both GPS and map and compass, First Aid, CPR, Radio communications, scent theory, man tracking and helicopter safety to list a few. You will also need basic obedience commands for your canine prior to starting to teach your canine SAR work.
Many requirements can be fulfilled at the various official MarK9 monthly training sessions or through outside organizations. Some suggestions are listed below.
FUNSAR: The Fundamentals of Search and Rescue (FUNSAR) course is the second, intermediate level of NASAR courses. It provides knowledge concerning the general responsibilities, skills, abilities, and the equipment needed by persons who are assigned to field operations during a SAR mission.
http://www.nasar.org/page/20/Fundamentals-of-Search-and-Rescue-FUNSAR-/course/2
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/azfunsar/
Command Systems
FEMA ICS-100 – Introduction to Incident Command System
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=is-100.b
FEMA ICS-200 –
First Aid and CPR
These classes are offered for free for Posse members through MCSO. There are also many outside companies that offer these courses.
GPS Classes – we recommend Garmin GPS units
GPS Fundamentals: http://www.rei.com/class/64/market/162
GPS Advanced: http://www.rei.com/class/45/market/160
Map & Compass Introduction: http://www.rei.com/class/162/market/162
Basic obedience for your dogs
American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen (AKC CGC)
Back to Questions
7.What must I train my dog to do? The type of training your dog receives will be somewhat dependent on which basic discipline you choose, either area search or trailing. However, all dogs must be well socialized, agile enough to safely negotiate obstacles in the wilderness and/or in disaster rubble. The dog must be able to swim. You and your dog will learn how to get in and out of a truck, helicopter and other vehicles. You may achieve specialty certification in other disciplines such as cadaver or water searches, after you are mission ready in either area search or trailing.
You will find that there are different ways to get the same results with training. However, if you start with one method, don't skip to another just because it seems easier or because someone tells you their method is better. Try to stay with one method unless you find it is totally impossible to attain your goals. If you switch from one method to another, your dog may get confused and may not be able to learn the skills that it needs.
If you have never trained a dog before, it will be helpful to read a good basic dog training book that explains how dogs learn. You must take a basic obedience class on your own. When you start training, you must begin keeping a training log for all your training sessions for you and your dog. This will help you keep up with the progress of your dog as well as to identify any problems or difficulties that may arise.
Most of what you will learn about training your dog will come from actual training sessions as well as input from fellow members. However, your ultimate success will mostly be determined by the amount of time and effort you put in.
At a training session, your dog must learn to be very obedient and should always be under your control!
Back to Questions
8.Is this time consuming? YES! Expect to train 2-3 times a week (including night training) when you are starting out. You can do some training on your own, but there is no substitution for training with your local group, even after you are mission ready. The official MarK9 monthly training usually takes place two weekends of each month in varying locations. You are expected to attend as many as possible during your training ( i.e.attendance of 70% monthly general MarK9 workouts are required as "sign-offs" prior to becoming field qualified). When you become a certified mission ready team, you will still need to continue to train regularly to keep your basic skills sharp.
Call outs for actual searches tend to occur in the middle of the night. Most searches will probably be in Maricopa County or other nearby counties. You may be called to a search in other areas in the state. Though you are not required to go on all searches, we are on call all day and night every day of the year. Most requests for canine search teams come through MCSO at this time. The most effective dog handlers today are searchers first, and dog handlers second.
Back to Questions
9. Is this Expensive? YES! Since this is a volunteer organization, you pay for all your required equipment. That includes navigation, communications and other electronic gear as well as hiking, camping and survival gear. You also have to consider wear and tear on your vehicle, gasoline, etc. All of your equipment must be purchased prior to your mission ready test. Your Policy and Procedure Manual contains a list of all the required equipment. Because this is a volunteer organization, many of your expenses may be tax deductible-please consult your tax advisor to determine if it applies to you. On some searches you must be self sufficient for at least 3 days.
Back to Questions
10. Do I have to be in good physical condition? You definitely need to be both physically fit and healthy. If you have any disease or a physical handicap or problem, it is best to consult with your physician to make sure s/he approves of this activity. Searches can potentially last up to 12 hours a day for several days and be located in areas of very rough terrain with inclement weather. There is also the possibility of having to spend the night out in the wilderness during a search. So mental as well as physical fitness is a must. Remember, on a search, you are there to help find subjects, not become a victim yourself.
A Fitness Test must be completed before your Mission Ready tests, and annually thereafter. The MarK9 Fitness Test consists of either:
1) Run/walk 1.5 miles on a quarter mile track in 15 minutes or less or
2) 6 mile hike with a 35 lb. search pack, exclusive of water, in 4 hours or less.
Back to Questions
1. What is MarK9?
2. How do I join MarK9?
3. What kind of dog can I train for SAR?
4. Do I have to start with a puppy?
5. How long will the training take?
6. What skills will I need to learn?
7. What must I train my dog to do?
8. Is this time consuming?
9. Is this expensive?
10. Do I have to be in good physical condition?
1. What is MarK9?
MarK9 is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation, Maricopa K-9 Search and Rescue, Inc., We are an all-volunteer search and rescue (SAR) dog unit. We are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to assist the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) and other agencies (local and statewide) in emergency responses to help find lost victims. MarK9 is also a posse of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. Note that there is no paid positions and most equipment is paid for by individuals.
Back to Questions
2. How do I join MarK9? The first step is to contact us at maricopak9@gmail.com. You will be send a prospective member packet which explains the process. To join MarK9 you must be a MCSO Posse member. This is a separate application process that you can start immediately. The prospective member packet will give you all the necessary details you will need to join both MCSO and MarK9. It will also give you some idea of the time commitment and amount of work required to become an operational team member. Back to Questions
3. What kind of dog can I train for SAR?
There are numerous breeds of dogs that are capable of doing SAR work, though you will see that most are from working, herding or sporting breeds. Some breeds are more suitable than others. Not all breeds of dogs and not all dogs within a breed have the temperament and talent to do the work required. Dogs at the extreme ends of the size range, i.e. very small or very large, tend not to be well suited for this work. The dog does not have to be a purebred, though you may have the advantage with a pedigreed dog to look at the parents as a guideline for temperament and working ability.
If you don't already have a dog, a good idea is to spend some time at some of our training session to observe different breeds before you make up your mind. Talk to different people about the pros and cons of their breed in doing search work. Certain breeds may have inherent traits and talents that make them either easier or sometimes more difficult to train than other breeds. If you are set on a specific breed, you will usually be better off buying from a working line and not a show line. Investigate genetic diseases of the breed and make sure you get your dog from a line that has had minimal or no health problems. A reputable breeder should be able to answer any questions you have about health problems as well as working ability. You don't want to put years of hard work into training a dog just to find out later that it is not capable of doing the work due to a genetically linked disease. You want to start with a dog that has as much potential as possible to do the work.
Back to Questions
4. Do I have to start with a puppy? No. You may train an older dog for SAR. However, one of the advantages of training a puppy is that it will most likely have a longer working career. Younger dogs may not have acquired unsuitable habits or behaviors that may have to be untrained. You can also often train desirable behaviors into a puppy a little easier than into an older dog. Can I train more than one dog at the same time for SAR? It takes a great deal of time and commitment to train even one dog. So if you have more than one dog, we recommend that you concentrate on just one unless you are an experienced dog trainer. We can help you evaluate which dog would make a better candidate for SAR work.
Back to Questions
5. How long will the training take? You should plan on 1 1/2 - 3 years to train your dog and to gain the skills you need to become a mission ready team.
Back to Questions
6. What skills will I need to learn? MarK9 requires that you are a support searcher prior to certifying with a canine. In order to do this you will need to become proficient in navigational skills including both GPS and map and compass, First Aid, CPR, Radio communications, scent theory, man tracking and helicopter safety to list a few. You will also need basic obedience commands for your canine prior to starting to teach your canine SAR work.
Many requirements can be fulfilled at the various official MarK9 monthly training sessions or through outside organizations. Some suggestions are listed below.
FUNSAR: The Fundamentals of Search and Rescue (FUNSAR) course is the second, intermediate level of NASAR courses. It provides knowledge concerning the general responsibilities, skills, abilities, and the equipment needed by persons who are assigned to field operations during a SAR mission.
http://www.nasar.org/page/20/Fundamentals-of-Search-and-Rescue-FUNSAR-/course/2
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/azfunsar/
Command Systems
FEMA ICS-100 – Introduction to Incident Command System
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=is-100.b
FEMA ICS-200 –
First Aid and CPR
These classes are offered for free for Posse members through MCSO. There are also many outside companies that offer these courses.
GPS Classes – we recommend Garmin GPS units
GPS Fundamentals: http://www.rei.com/class/64/market/162
GPS Advanced: http://www.rei.com/class/45/market/160
Map & Compass Introduction: http://www.rei.com/class/162/market/162
Basic obedience for your dogs
American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen (AKC CGC)
Back to Questions
7.What must I train my dog to do? The type of training your dog receives will be somewhat dependent on which basic discipline you choose, either area search or trailing. However, all dogs must be well socialized, agile enough to safely negotiate obstacles in the wilderness and/or in disaster rubble. The dog must be able to swim. You and your dog will learn how to get in and out of a truck, helicopter and other vehicles. You may achieve specialty certification in other disciplines such as cadaver or water searches, after you are mission ready in either area search or trailing.
You will find that there are different ways to get the same results with training. However, if you start with one method, don't skip to another just because it seems easier or because someone tells you their method is better. Try to stay with one method unless you find it is totally impossible to attain your goals. If you switch from one method to another, your dog may get confused and may not be able to learn the skills that it needs.
If you have never trained a dog before, it will be helpful to read a good basic dog training book that explains how dogs learn. You must take a basic obedience class on your own. When you start training, you must begin keeping a training log for all your training sessions for you and your dog. This will help you keep up with the progress of your dog as well as to identify any problems or difficulties that may arise.
Most of what you will learn about training your dog will come from actual training sessions as well as input from fellow members. However, your ultimate success will mostly be determined by the amount of time and effort you put in.
At a training session, your dog must learn to be very obedient and should always be under your control!
Back to Questions
8.Is this time consuming? YES! Expect to train 2-3 times a week (including night training) when you are starting out. You can do some training on your own, but there is no substitution for training with your local group, even after you are mission ready. The official MarK9 monthly training usually takes place two weekends of each month in varying locations. You are expected to attend as many as possible during your training ( i.e.attendance of 70% monthly general MarK9 workouts are required as "sign-offs" prior to becoming field qualified). When you become a certified mission ready team, you will still need to continue to train regularly to keep your basic skills sharp.
Call outs for actual searches tend to occur in the middle of the night. Most searches will probably be in Maricopa County or other nearby counties. You may be called to a search in other areas in the state. Though you are not required to go on all searches, we are on call all day and night every day of the year. Most requests for canine search teams come through MCSO at this time. The most effective dog handlers today are searchers first, and dog handlers second.
Back to Questions
9. Is this Expensive? YES! Since this is a volunteer organization, you pay for all your required equipment. That includes navigation, communications and other electronic gear as well as hiking, camping and survival gear. You also have to consider wear and tear on your vehicle, gasoline, etc. All of your equipment must be purchased prior to your mission ready test. Your Policy and Procedure Manual contains a list of all the required equipment. Because this is a volunteer organization, many of your expenses may be tax deductible-please consult your tax advisor to determine if it applies to you. On some searches you must be self sufficient for at least 3 days.
Back to Questions
10. Do I have to be in good physical condition? You definitely need to be both physically fit and healthy. If you have any disease or a physical handicap or problem, it is best to consult with your physician to make sure s/he approves of this activity. Searches can potentially last up to 12 hours a day for several days and be located in areas of very rough terrain with inclement weather. There is also the possibility of having to spend the night out in the wilderness during a search. So mental as well as physical fitness is a must. Remember, on a search, you are there to help find subjects, not become a victim yourself.
A Fitness Test must be completed before your Mission Ready tests, and annually thereafter. The MarK9 Fitness Test consists of either:
1) Run/walk 1.5 miles on a quarter mile track in 15 minutes or less or
2) 6 mile hike with a 35 lb. search pack, exclusive of water, in 4 hours or less.
Back to Questions
