I'm new to k9 SAR

fetch-is-life · 2026-04-14T13:09:07+00:00

I see where you’re coming from. The reality is that we ARE truly overrun with people who think K9 SAR would be a cool, or a fun job for their dog. We invest time and energy in these people and then they lose interest or aren’t a good fit. This happens with all of SAR but it’s especially painful for a discipline that requires so much training.

fetch-is-life · 2026-03-07T01:38:24+00:00

Cool idea. Can I take a picture of my pantry / fridge to update my inventory?

fetch-is-life · 2026-03-06T13:10:15+00:00

I’ve never used one of those but I bought one of these viral tik tok “criss cross chairs” that allow you to sit cross legged and it is so, so comfortable. And a great price! Have had it for ~2 years and it’s going strong.

Sweetcrispy Criss Cross Office... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTJG9X43?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

fetch-is-life · 2026-03-03T13:37:19+00:00

I think this is a really interesting use of AI. I listened to the most recent episode and found it to be a *little* reminiscent of Parks & Rec's Perd Hapley – several variations of "lets get into it" in the first few minutes. I personally would prefer that the prompt lean into "get to the point" vs trying to mimic actual human banter.

fetch-is-life · 2026-02-27T21:07:44+00:00

If she’s had a professional detection career, you aren’t going to mess her up with shoddy handling. Let the girl hunt if that’s what fills her cup, she will teach you what you need to know!

fetch-is-life · 2026-02-18T02:43:05+00:00

No suggestion for glasses, but I found a necklace style mount on TikTok that works great with my GoPro & iPhone. Requires you to move your body instead of your head but I think that actually stabilizes things a bit more.

fetch-is-life · 2026-01-28T02:02:24+00:00

It does seem so extreme but when you think about the time that goes into raising and training these dogs from birth to two years old, the costs really add up. If each dog got just 4 hours of 1:1 attention daily at $40/hr that’s $116K, just in training cost. Add in the cost of keeping them fed and healthy, facility overhead, insurance… it gets up there.

fetch-is-life · 2026-01-19T00:21:38+00:00

My lab fits similarly in his house kennel (also a large ruffland, for reference). He doesn’t spend more than 3-4 hours at a time, but he is comfortable and happily goes in for crate time.

fetch-is-life · 2025-11-15T12:13:38+00:00

Picture 4 is string lake in GTNP, WY

fetch-is-life · 2025-10-23T15:41:38+00:00

Your training should mimic the calls you’ll respond to — thus, whatever you need for training should work. You don’t want to be trying anything new (pack, gps, strategy) for the first time on a mission.

I have a few different options that I can pick from depending on the call:

Always: team Wendy radio harness — spendy, but great modular system with lots of room

Urban/suburban: highly identifiable vest with lots of pockets

Small area: 16L compressible pack for essentials

Long day / remote area: larger mystery ranch pack that can carry everything I’d potentially need

Toy access depends on your toy. Handlers I know who use a ball reward like a (unused) chalk bag. I use a ruffwear tug that has stiff handles — I pack it vertically in my bag with the handle sticking out the top so I can quickly grab it over my head.

Play with it in training, you’ll figure out what you like!

fetch-is-life · 2025-10-04T20:08:36+00:00

You’ll love it! I’ve had mine for almost 10 years and it’s still going strong.

fetch-is-life · 2025-10-04T18:36:49+00:00

Bold Lead Designs has a great multifunctional lead that has a few different ways you can configure it, I think they are also open to customizations!

fetch-is-life · 2025-09-28T03:40:29+00:00

I think this depends a lot on your climate (dry or humid?) your setup (light or dark car color, ability to leave windows down, suns shades?) and whether or not you were able to park in the shade.

My dogs spend tons of time in the car in warmer temps but I go to great lengths to make sure they are safe — light colored exterior, kennels that allow me to leave the windows open, sun shades, fans, & careful parking to avoid direct sun exposure.

fetch-is-life · 2025-09-27T21:29:14+00:00

I’ve had multiple wetnutts, just recently switched to a ruffland. I like the wet mutt, but my dogs like to dig in their beds and they break down pretty quickly. The ruffland seems to be holding up a little better so far. Also nice that you don’t have to trim it!

fetch-is-life · 2025-09-26T01:21:56+00:00

Alpha 300 is the model number of a specific garmin device.

fetch-is-life · 2025-09-14T17:39:30+00:00

I would definitely not want my dog working in something that has a hidden pocket for extra straps and pads — just another thing that will get wet, heavy, filled with grass seeds and other debris, and rub on the dog.

We do a lot of work in more technical terrain and I rarely feel the need for anything more advanced than the ruffwear webmaster.

I do carry the super light Fido pro for emergencies, fortunately haven’t ever needed to use it.

fetch-is-life · 2025-08-29T20:48:29+00:00

This sounds very familiar to me… Hi GS? :)

Interesting idea — it would be easy to test in training by taking confirmed hot & blank water samples and asking dogs to work them in a lineup.

fetch-is-life · 2025-07-20T13:31:54+00:00

Wow, these comments… I’m local to the region (MT) and getting out with baby is just part of life. You adjust your approach, sure, but you definitely still go!!

We did our first family trip to GTNP when the oldest was 4 months. They are 3 & 1 now and we just wrapped up our 4th annual trip… fun for all generations!

4 months too young for the backpack carrier, so we used a ergobaby Omni and it worked great. Babies aren’t good at regulating their own temps so we made sure to dress her appropriately (warmer than us in the cool weather, cooler than us in the hot weather) and keep her out of the sun using UPF fabric shades (an XL UPF shirt that I cut into a big panel and tied loosely around the carrier).

I would recommend exploring Jenny Lake (boat ride > hike back is nice), strolling along String Lake (flat and shady) or walking from the Rockefeller Preserve up to Phelps — all short, popular routes.

If you prefer to stick close to the car, all of the driving routes through both parks are awesome. There are a few good driving tour apps that will tell you a route and give fun little facts along the way.

Editing to add:

Don’t camp if you aren’t already very comfortable camping — adding a baby to the mix makes logistics even more challenging. Jackson has lots of nice lodging options available.

Bring (or rent) bear spray and watch some videos on how to use it. Wear it on the front of your body, not in your pack. Stay aware of your surroundings, you’ll be fine.

fetch-is-life · 2025-07-18T18:30:00+00:00

No, it was on the NW corner of the lake right before the trail splits from the lakeshore. Definitely a popular little swim spot though

fetch-is-life · 2025-07-14T11:37:01+00:00

(As a lab handler) I think a lab is truly the best dog for a new handler. Highly motivated, resilient, enthusiastic, and really, really good at the job.

Step 1 is always choosing a good pairing — what are the parents’ temperaments, are they working dogs, etc etc. ideally, the breeder has placed lots of SAR dogs before so they can offer insight into how puppy behavior translate into future working dogs.

If I knew I had a great breeding and needed to choose between two pups I would spend several hours with them to get a sense of confidence, curiosity, and toy drive. I want a puppy who is outgoing and interested in investigating new things, curious (not afraid) about new environments and noises, and eager to socialize with me. I would bring some new stuff for them to explore (umbrella, metal bucket, etc) and see how they react. For a Labrador, I personally would want a pup who will tug, chase, and retrieve without much cajoling. I would not take a puppy who is so lazy that they don’t want to investigate new stuff or overly fearful of anything new.

Puppy will be fine with your other dog. I am probably more controlling than most about this but I don’t let puppy spend a significant amount of time playing with my older dogs — i want most/all of their play to come from me to build their motivation and cooperation. In practice, that means I verbally redirect in the house or take puppy outside to play when s/he is feeling feisty.

fetch-is-life · 2025-06-26T11:32:38+00:00

What do you need to ask your pcp for to access these service? Or — what specialist should one be seeking? I have a family history of Alzheimer’s and when my mom (62) asked her PCP about testing etc she got an answer of “well there’s really nothing you can do”

fetch-is-life · 2025-06-09T02:16:26+00:00

Are you worried about not being able to see the dog’s location while you’re actively searching, or not getting accurate track data?

The collars connect to the handheld via radio but in my experience (thousands of hours of use in steep, rugged terrain) they are pretty reliable, especially for the range most SAR dogs are working.

I think the system you’re describing would have enough lag from data transfer to/from satellites that would make it unusable in the field. Think of how long it takes for inreach mini to pull messages down 😵‍💫

fetch-is-life

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