Suggested Reading List

Brian directs Java to take the scent.

There are many fine books, articles, and other resources available about the various aspects of canine search and rescue. There are also some that miss the mark. In many cases the distinction is up to the reader; whether a resource fits his or her particular situation. For example, a handler who wrote a book about how she trained her German Shepherd Dog to search in the Rocky Mountains may be of lesser value to the Bloodhounder who lives in Louisiana.

However, even materials that don't speak to one's particular situation often have gleanable information. There are commonalities in training methods and search techniques, new observations of how scent reacts to particular atmospheric and topographical conditions, and so forth, that may be of value to even the most experienced handler.

New material is continually coming into circulation. One of the most valuable assets available will be internet access and a good web search engine, such as Dogpile.

Suggested Reading

Here are some resources that the members of Buckeye Search and Rescue Dogs feel have been useful in their careers. Most are available through your local library, your local bookstore, specialty bookstores like the NASAR bookstore, and internet resources.

• Scent And The Scenting Dog by William G. Syrotuck (4th ed.). ©2000, Barkleigh Productions.
• The Silent Witness: Scent by Bill Tolhurst. ©2000.
• Search and Rescue Dogs: Training Methods by The American Rescue Dog Association. ©1991, Maxwell Publishing.
• The Police Textbook for Dog Handlers by Bill Tolhurst. ©1991.
• Practical Scent Dog Training by Lou Button. ©1990, Alpine Publications.
• Ready! The Training of the Search and Rescue Dog by Susan Bulanda. ©1994, Doral Publishing.
• Cadaver Dog Handbook: Forensic Training for the Recovery of Human Remains by Andrew Rebmann, Edward David and Marcella H. Sorg. ©2000, CRC Press.
• So That Others May Live: Caroline Hebard & Her Search-And-Rescue Dogs by Hank Whittemore and Caroline Hebard. ©1995.
• Manhunters! - Hounds of the Big T by Bill Tolhurst. ©1984, Hound Dog Press.
• The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson. ©1996, James & Kenneth Publishers,.
• The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete. ©1991, Little, Brown and Company.
• Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog by Carol Lea Benjamin. ©1985.
• Dog Speak by Bash Dibra with Mary Ann Crenshaw. ©1999, Simon & Schuster.

Other Useful Links

• A list of veterinarians and animal hospitals across the US from AnimalHospitals-usa.com.
• Traveling with your dog from PetsWelcome.com.
• Making a canine first-aid kit from the "Dog Owner's Guide" (CanisMajor.com).