There's something truly special about spotting an Avalanche Rescue Dog on the slopes, whether they're riding the chairlift or playing near a ski patrol hut. It’s undoubtedly one of the highlights of a day on the mountain. But have you ever considered the extensive training that goes into preparing these incredible dogs for their crucial role? In this blog post, I’ll take you through a brief history of Avalanche Dogs and the dedication that goes into their training.

The Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association (CARDA) then began in 1978 when Bruce Watt, a professional patroller on Whistler Mountain got caught in a large post control avalanche with a visiting patroller. After he was safely rescued, the safety supervisor at Whistler Mountain sought to peruse an avalanche rescue dog training program. In union with the RCMP and Parks Canada, this association grew into a non-profit volunteer organization in 1982. This group proceeded to set up programs and courses that began the long process and fine tuning of the training manual, still utilized today. CARDA’s goal is to train and maintain a network of highly efficient avalanche search and rescue teams across Canada. They aimed to prove that rescue dogs save lives, proving this theory correct in 2000 at Fernie Ski Resort when Keno the avalanche dog and Robin Siggers carried out the first live recovery in Canadian history. However, these dogs undergo extensive training and certification to prove they are ready to handle such a high stress situation.

CARDA is dedicated to ensuring that training manuals and courses provide trainers with the most up-to-date and effective information. However, this process is thorough and typically requires two to three years for a trainer and their dog to complete the necessary training. This training includes:

• Basic Obedience Training: Essential commands that foster effective communication and control in diverse environments.
• Scent Detection Training: Specialized training that enables dogs to detect the scent of humans buried in snow. Dog’s smelling systems are designed to detect chemical substances around them. These scents are either transported in concentrations through the atmosphere or deposited on surfaces. 
• Search Techniques: Learning specific methods tailored for avalanche scenarios to enhance search efficiency.
• Snow Proficiency: Training dogs to work effectively in snowy environments and adapt to various snow conditions, including different weather challenges.
• Simulated Avalanche Scenarios: Realistic simulations designed to prepare dogs for the challenges they may face during actual rescue missions.
• Certification: Once the dog and handler have completed their training and demonstrated proficiency in all required skills, they undergo certification tests conducted by recognized organizations.