Wednesday morning 6 boys from Dog Corps. left with Rita, Jenn, and Dick to attend the 15th annual PSARC SAREX. Rita loaded up K9’s Ripley, Raven and Tank, Dick brought K9 Buddy, and Jenn and Buddy loaded up K9’s Emeline, Abby, Raina, Max, Moira, and little Scout. After a 3 hour ride we made it to Pinch Pond Campground located in Manheim PA.  Our arrival day encompassed getting settled and set up for the weekend and of course talking the dogs on a well-deserved walk. Once the camper was set up and the picnic area was finished and everyone had gotten checked into the hotel rooms at the nearby Hampton Inn we found a local diner for dinner. Believe it or not we were all pretty exhausted from the ride down and set up and the SAREX was calling for early mornings.

Our "space" at PSARC

The weekend included much training for the dogs, as well as training for the kids. Each dog was able to work under numerous instructors with the students handling them in a variety of situations.  Our evenings included pack walks which drew attention from everywhere in the camp. We typically had 6 shepherds, 2 malinois, 1 golden retriever, 1 coonhound, and 1 seven pound Chihuahua. The struggles came when we passed other campsites that were not too fond of our large strolling pack! Our work on obedience over the last few months certainly paid off as each dog and student struggled to stay engaged with each other.  The kids realized it is not as simple as just standing around with a 65 pound weight (or 90 pound weight in the case of Tank) on the end of your leash.  These dogs require constant stimulation and attention to keep them on track………sound familiar?

Jimmy and Adam hanging with Raina

Linda and John, our two main instructors from PA Recovery dogs took time each day to work with the students while they worked the canines.  Dan was even able to work Linda’s dog on a mock cadaver search and Chris spent much time working K9 Ripley the eldest of the group. Jimmy and Tyler assisted Jenn and Buddy with an hour long airscent problem on Mt. Gretna state land where Adam had set up an interesting moving subject problem for K9 Raina.  Tyler and Ryan also took wilderness ready class with Dick and put their search knowledge to the test.

Jenn and Abby receiving instruction from John of PA Recovery Dogs

The trip was a huge success and everyone was on their best behavior. The hotel was still standing when we left even with 9 people and 7 dogs from our group alone!!!!

Tank getting his reward

Author- Jennifer Culver

Raina is a 16 month old female German Shepherd Dog. I have the pleasure of being her owner and she has been in my life since the day she was born October 10th 2010. Raina is dual certified as a airscent canine and human remains detector dog with Eagle Valley Search Dogs.

Raina playing ball after a search problem

Raina playing with keith after her find

On mondays Dog Corps. gathers in the morning for group obedience sessions where the kids do hands on training with each of the search dogs. Obedience is an important part of every search dogs training to teach them control, to help them behave correctly in public, and to make sure they are the model citizen doggies they should be. We make sure that each dog gets individual sessions as well as group sessions as each presents its own obstacles and distractions. Below is a quick snap shot of the boys working with 5 of our shepherds and 1 belgian malinois.

5 Shepherds and a Malinois

Abby and Chris playing after a short search problem

Dogs will do just about anything to please their owners, and the dogs at the Dog Corps. are no different, though they will do just about anything to please anyone if it means they get to play! Most days at the Dog Corps. you will find the kids with a german shepherd by their side no matter rain or shine.  Each dog has his or her own preference of what they like, whether it be long walks or playing fetch in the feild, and you’ll find them matched up with the student who likes the same. Of course the most fun comes when we do Search and Rescue training where each student gets a chance to go hide and get “found”. This is when the dogs have the best time!!

Roderick O.

Since the semester started Dog Corps has gone through a few changes. Chris B. is the new intern of the Dog Corps program and Ryan C. is a new addition also as a teacher’s assistant. They also acquired a new Dog by the name of Luca. She is a German Shepard that was rescued from Craft Werk. The students spend time rehabilitating her back to full strength while teaching her new things.

This winter season has also brought about new obedience training. This training was focused on keeping the dogs in their crates in preparation for the ugly weather. The crate games teach the dogs self-control. One goal of this training is to make the dogs think that being in the crate is a good thing so they don’t bark as much. “We teach them to want to be in the crate. It’s like getting a treat,” said Ryan C.

Another part of the training is to make the dogs confident in jumping on top of odd objects. When they need to take the dogs out on rescue missions the dogs need to be confident to jump onto ledges to search for people.

Dog Corps does more than train dogs, they also help student come closer together by sharing common ground. The Dog Corps has their own separate dorm and all the students live together with the intern as the dorm leader. “I get to spend time with my friends and I love the animals,” stated Ryan C.

We would love to extend a warm welcome to Luca a 20 month old solid black working line female German Shepherd. Luca was turned over the Life Long Tails when her owner realized she was to much dog for him to handle. In her first foster home Luca learned to share with other dogs, lost 20 of her necessary 40 pounds, and begin to realize life consisted of rules and regulations. Luca made the transition to the Family School smoothly and is currently under the care of Zach one of our Dog Corps. students. In addition to working on Luca’s weight loss we are also working on building up her drive and reward system to an acceptable level (she is bred from working dog lines, but most of this has been supressed during her life) and teaching her that down time can be spent kenneled, and that fun play time will be work. Luca is from the same kennel that my dog Emeline’s mother is from and they both share a solid black coat and deep chocolate brown eyes.

The last few “winter” months have almost been enjoyable. The dogs don ‘t mind the cool air and with the exception of the cold 5 am runs the kids and dogs alike barely even realize its February. The Dog Corps. has been busy at work with 6 German Shepherds and 2 Belgian Malinois all Search and Rescue dogs to keep trained and conditioned there is never a dull moment. Below are some pictures of Ripley and Zach taking part in the relaxing side of life, chuck it!!! This fun game helps the  dogs relax and keeps them in top shape running. It also helps practice some obedience for both the kid and K9.

Ripley and Zach

Launch!!!!

The following video was presented during our December Dog Corps. Open House.

The Family Foundation School Dog Corps. will be hosting an open house on December 10, 2011 starting at 11:30am. We invite parents and students alike to come enjoy refreshments and learn about our unique program.  Following our open house the Family School with have “Night of the Shepherds” a winter performance starting at 2pm. Please come join us for both these wonderful events.

Below is our weekly Foto Friday postings, Enjoy!!!!

The boys hanging out before training

Zack and Drew waiting to be placed as subjects for SAR training

Ryan playing with Emeline

Emeline a search and rescue canine in training with Eagle Valley Search Dogs.