Get involved

Everyone who is involved in Search Dogs Buckinghamshire is a volunteer and we are grateful for support from the public to provide the services that we offer. You would be surprised at the different ways you could support us!  For example, you could come to some of our training sessions and hide for our dogs to find you! For information about this or about joining and helping in any other way, please Contact us.

Join us

Working with your dog can be great fun, rewarding and takes time and commitment.  If you would like to join and have a dog that you think might be suitable, please get in touch.

Things you should bear in mind if you are considering joining us in any capacity:

  • You must be 18 or over and have your own transport available at all times.
  • You don’t have to be a dog owner but be prepared to be around dogs most of the time.
  • You are required to have a reasonable level of general fitness including being able to walk five miles in under two hours.
  • You will be required to pass an Enhanced DBS check.
  • Apart from specialist equipment and uniform, members need to fund their own outdoor clothing, walking boots and all travel costs.
  • You must go through a full training programme and qualify (to national standards) as a Licensed Search Technician before you are able to take part in live operations.
  • We train on Tuesday week nights and on some weekends at locations across Buckinghamshire, and sometimes just across the borders.
  • Team members are expected to support fund-raising and promotional events, and help with administrative tasks.
Mitch searching with handler Jenny

Training with us

Team members are trained in search techniques, navigation, radio communication, missing person behaviour and human and K9 first aid. Training takes place during the day and at night, and in all weathers, to ensure it is similar to real searches.  All of this provides the skills and confidence required to attend a callout as a member of a search team.

The majority of our dogs are trained to search off lead by air scenting, as we are most often called to rural and unpopulated areas (where dogs are much faster than humans at searching). Dogs are trained to detect any human scent and the training is built up in stages until they are ready to carry out successful searches. We are also developing a capability with dogs who can follow the scent trail of an individual from the point last seen.

Dogs are accepted onto the training programme following initial behavioural and ability checks. The dog and their handler will need to pass a nationally accredited assessment to take part in searches. Typically, training takes place weekly, all year round and it will take at least six months before the dog handler / support meets our operational standards and around two years before a dog team is ready to be nationally assessed.

Search Dogs Buckinghamshire is grateful for grant funding from:

Community Fund logo

Contact us

t: 01494 416295
e: info@searchdogsbucks.org.uk

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Search Dogs Buckinghamshire – Registered Charity Number: 1149131
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