All dogs have excellent noses, but search dogs have learned how to use their noses to find lost persons. No dog finds strangers out in the wilderness without concentrated training from a human handler.

A handler must understand the dog's behavior:

• When the dog is following human scent;
• When the dog is following animal scent;
• When the dog is frustrated and can't find scent;
• When the dog is frustrated because there is too much scent and no person to find;
• When the dog is motivated;
• When the dog needs more motivation;
• When the dog needs help from the handler;
• When the dog needs to be left alone.

A handler must also understand the dog's physical needs:

• Proper nutrition;
• Preventing overheating or frostbite;
• Allowing for enough rest periods for the dog during searches and training;
• Recognizing when the dog could be seriously ill;
• Knowing how to treat injuries in the field.

A handler must also be educated in outdoor skills:

• Winter survival;
• Summer survival;
• Compass skills;
• Map skills;
• First aid skills.

Are these enough reasons why handlers are special? Check out the rest of our site and find all the other reasons.