LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Cadaver: Dogs
built 629 days ago
Like all search dogs, cadaver dogs go through extensive training before they can become certified and operational. Cadaver dogs are first trained to recognize a wide spectrum of odors associated with human remains, depending on their specific use. Cadaver dogs for use in a disaster situation focus on more recent decomposition odors, while cadaver dogs that work with law enforcement are ... trained to recognize older decomposition odors and smaller or residual odors. Only actual human remains are used to train the dogs, no pseudo scent is used in the training process. All K-9s are first taught to give a trained final response or indication upon detection of the odor. They are taught to only give this response when they locate the strongest source of the odor.
Source:
These cadaver dogs need lots of attention to keep them doing the job they are meant to do. There is a whole team of veterinarians who have volunteered at Ground Zero to give medical assistance to the dogs. The dogs need to have their feet cleaned from all of the hazardous material they walk on all day. They need their ears and noses cleaned; their eyes burn and tear from the air, just like the humans who are helping out. Many of the dogs go on an intravenous feedings, like humans do, to keep them fed and keep them from getting dehydrated.
Source:
Canines that detect human remains, commonly referred to as cadaver dogs, have been minimally represented in the law enforcement canine population across the United States. For a variety of reasons this canine detector specialty has not been given the attention that is afforded both explosive and narcotics specialties. These departments continue the age old practice of assigning all aspects of death investigations to Crime Scene and Homicide units, without realizing the additional capabilities that a trained HRD canine team would bring to their scenes where a corpse or the remains thereof must be located. The remaining obstacle generally involves the complexity and type of required canine team training.
Source:
A specialty subset of cadaver dogs is water cadaver dogs. Similar to cadaver dogs, these dogs have been trained to find the odor of decomposing human remains. However, water cadaver dogs have been specifically trained to locate and indicate the source of the odor to assist divers in a more directed and speedy recovery of a drowning victim.
Source:
The first step in cadaver work is to imprint the scent of the cadaver material on the K9. Once the dog is familiar with the scent and a command is attached to the scent, then it is time to build the alert.
Source:
The principles involved in training for cadaver search are identical to those used for other tasks. The handler must (1) introduce the dog to the scent, (2) develop its interest with properly timed reinforcement, and (3) reward the dog for locating the source. Once the dog becomes committed to finding and indicating the exact location of the scent source, the handler can introduce the desired "alert."
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Dogs