Rescue Dog Testing -
Frequently Tested -
Digging comes pretty natural to
us, but learning when and
where to dig can be tricky! We
practice a lot!
Pups and People -
Practice, practice, practice. Our
pups, and our peeps, work
together in order to provide our
community with a reliable and
professional Search and
Rescue crew.
• The callout list for BARK will be updated on an annual basis.
CERTIFIED -
A. Dog teams must be tested at a different ski area
B. Obedience skills performed off lead with consistency and desire
to work.
C. Handler must have proper equipment with them.
D. Search Skill Test:
Backcountry Avalanche Rescue K-9
1. Locate two subjects buried and 2 (of 3) articles.
2. Subjects buried under 1-2 meters of snow.
3. Articles buried under a maximum of ½ meter of snow.
4. Subject buried for minimum of 10 minutes before dog enters
the scene.
5. Search a 100 X 100 meter area
6. Search should be completed in 40 minutes.
7. Two shovelers will be available for recovery
TEST SITE –GENERAL FORMAT
1. Test area shall be at least 100 meters by 100 meters.
2. Entire test area shall be disturbed, even if natural deposition
zone is used. This is to prevent localization of scent only around
burial hole(s).
3. Burial of victim shall be in a manner which will leave no visual
clues for the testing team. Area disturbance should be uniform.
4. No article belonging to the testing teams will be allowed in the
hole.
5. Shovelers, evaluators, and ski equipment shall be placed in a
manner that will not cue the testing team.
6. Holes should be dug at least 24 hours in advance of the test to
minimize the residual scent of the burial sites.
7. With multiple tests, fresh holes are to be used.
8. Articles should be properly scented (i.e. worn 24 hours and
stored in an airtight container).
9. Articles should be no smaller than an adult sized outer garmet or
medium sized backpack.
10. Holes should be constructed with a roof to support a person on
skis or snowshoes
11. Test is “pass or fail” based on result from an odd number of
judges (minimum of 3, at least one of three judges from another
area).
RECERTIFICATION – Test should be done every 3 years.
A. Advanced obedience skills -all off lead
B. Search skill test: Same as the CERTIFIED test.
We have a little fun, too.
