Crime scene preservation is probably the most important aspect influencing the success and effectiveness of working dogs. Thus if lodge staff have been walking all over a crime scene, it therefore, becomes very difficult for a tracking dog to identify which scent to take.
Park management, lodge managers, field guides/rangers and all resident security personal must thus be briefed and made aware in this respect. They must be taught how to approach and treat a crime scene and to understand the methods of preserving it in order to help the dog/s from becoming confused. On the positive side, we are continually improving training methods to help others understand how to minimize this risk.
In all instances other than Emergency Response, where we deploy immediately, the appointed K9 unit/s will request an introductory meeting with all reserve/camp managers, field guides and security personnel (unless requested not to by land owner/manager.) The aim being to discuss and lay down the ground rules necessary to maximize working synergy and assure success. That being done, our self-sufficient dog unit/s deploy to their designated area, set up camp and begin work. When required, our units can also team up with your existing field rangers to compliment and enhance their effectiveness, part of our feedback report would detail the effectiveness of your field rangers in the field.
Key to successful dog tracking is getting to the crime scene in time. The longer it takes the more the scent dissipates, which can be caused by a variety of reasons:
In accordance with the seriousness of our work, K9 Conservation conforms fully with all necessary legal requirements, including the erection of the required warning signage on property entrances and perimeter fences and any fixed and mobile kennels.
To be legally compliant, dog handlers must be registered as 'patrol dog handlers' with PSIRA minimum grade C, to do so the dogs and their handlers need to be qualified in the following categories:
Whatever your problem, K9 Conservation has a deployment option to meet your specific needs, plus the flexibility to adapt to anything you may throw at us. Note that, after receiving and digesting your brief, our quotations are worked out according to location, expected duration of stay, work frequency and other interrelated factors. Thus each quote is as unique as each job and there are neither set nor sliding fees. Our standard deployment options are as follows:
Other than swimming in croc-infested rivers, the K9 unit can and does operate successfully in any terrain. Most times our dogs remain on the lead, although working off-lead in dense bush is essential. Especially, when tracking a dangerous wounded animal in thick undergrowth, a lead can become tangled and place both dog and handler in a perilous situation. Being off-leas frees the dog to take evasive action if attacked, which also tends to draw the danger away from the handler. The dogs are also trained to travel in helicopters and boats should the need arise.
