Events

This is a brand new course for C-RAD and the SARK9 community and is designed for anyone interesting in becoming a dog handler, currently involved with training a puppy, or any handler interested in learning more about the basics.

Topics may include (and are subject to change):

• Are you ready for a dog?
  • Partnership and respect
  • Lifestyle and ethology
  • Living with your dog
• Why do you want to do this?
  • Personal motivation
• Why the dog?
  • Bond – evolutionary anthropology
  • Characteristics of the dog
  • Olfactory
  • Drives
  • Cognitive revolution
  • Dog Psych
    • Perception, beliefs and creating behaviors as it leads too…
    • Classical and operant conditioning
• Selection
  • Why it matters
  • How it’s done and when
  • Review several strategies
    • Volhard
    • Browne-Marsolias
    • Penn Vet Method
    • Local selection stories
• Training Plan Development
  • Method review
  • Development and execution strategies
• … and more!

This Course is a focused classroom setting.  Plans include regular breaks and approximately an hour of outside training – either with your puppy, or someone’s pup, to provide demonstration and training examples.

It is not necessary to have a puppy to enroll, or bring a puppy to the Course.  We prefer people take this course before then endeavor to select a dog for SARK9 work.  However, if you are a C-RAD member with a puppy, this is an excellent opportunity to be with trainers, ask questions and gain advice as to how to move forward.

Here’s a look at the proposed general daily schedule (subject to change) for Thursday and Friday, October 8 – 9; we expect something similar for Saturday, but ending at noon.

• 0730 – Check in (coffee and light breakfast provided)
• 0830 – Classroom – Topic 1
• 1000 – Classroom – Topic 2
• 1130 – Break
• 1200 – Demo (outside or inside)
• 1230 – Lunch (provided)
• 1330- Classroom – Topic 3
• 1500 – Review of the day’s key elements
• 1600 – Day 1 quiz
• 1700 – Classroom ends

You’ll need a notebook, and/or a computer, be prepared to take notes, and pass the final written exam.  Attendees with puppies or young dogs will also get a review and recommendation for moving forward.

The cost of this class is $50 for C-RAD members, $125 for public.  All C-RAD members are eligible for a $50 fee wavier (so it’s free for C-RAD members) and all potential attendees must apply (application below).

Location will be the Summit County Community and Senior Center and the Summit County Search And Rescue Barn.  Camping will be available onsite at the Windy Point Group Site.

TO APPLY: C-RAD Foundations Course Application Form

This course is designed for avalanche search and rescue professionals, both dog handlers and technicians looking to prepare their teams for the upcoming winter season and develop their skills as professional rescuers for missions within and outside of their resort boundaries. Participants will build and review fundamental skills while also learning new and innovative techniques and tactics relative to working as a professional rescuer on avalanche missions and backcountry search and rescue. Our instructors and facilitators are industry leaders and trainers from organizations around the State, Country and North America. They represent professional outdoor guide and instructor programs, military and law enforcement agencies, urban and wilderness SAR programs, and have represented their own rescue organizations domestically and internationally on a variety of mission types. They all share a common goal of sharing their passion with others, building the next generation of professional rescuers, and helping each person and team succeed on an individual basis, based on their needs, challenges and strengths.

Our goals for this course are to solidify current skills and abilities, while also supporting participants in developing new skills and how they relate to roles and responsibilities in search and rescue on a larger scale.

For K9’s there will be a combination of search drills and scenarios, obedience training, agility courses, and various transportation methods exposure, as well as other engagement and socialization opportunities built it into the program.

For Technicians, the course provides opportunities to develop and refresh hard skills; such as Recco, beacon and other common avalanche rescue equipment usage, as well as professional rescuers skills such as; patient treatment, triage and packaging, low angle, scree or snow rescue techniques and equipment usage, methods and equipment for land navigation, incident command responsibilities, structure and communication skills, as well as involvement with K9 training where applicable or desired.

Credit Hour Sheets will be available when applicable to participants during the course.

Audit role. We have the opportunity to offer a few “audit” roles for future dog handlers, looking to attend this course without a dog. The goal is to learn the process and develop skills to be come a great handler. There are only a few of these slots available, and we are asking that if someone registers for this role that they commit to at least three days, in order to experience the development and growth over the majority of the duration.

Dates:

(Dog Handlers) October 12th-15th, 2020

(Technicians) October 12th-15th, 2020

Time:

0730-0530 MST each day (Training may run longer based on the progress or desire of participants)

NOTE: Coffee and Breakfast will be available at 0730 – Training will begin at 0800

Cost:

(Dog Handlers) Full Course – $TBD

(Technicians) Full Course – $TBD

(Audit) 3 day Minimum – $TBD

(Included in Cost: Course Fee, Breakfast and Lunch each day, Evening social event with drinks and food, course gift, as well as onsite camping).

***Priority will be given to applicants who can commit to the Full Course for their respected discipline.***

In an effort to provide the highest quality training and allow for proper preparation, There will be NO DAY OF/WALK UP REGISTRATION, please make sure that if you plan on attending the course you submit an application for consideration.

Location: Prospector and Windy Point Campground, Frisco, CO

Camping: Camping will be available onsite at the Windy Point Group Site

TO APPLY: C-RAD Fall Course Application Form

This course is designed for avalanche search and rescue professionals, both dog handlers and technicians looking to develop their skills as professional rescuers for missions within and outside of their resort boundaries. Participants will build and review fundamental skills while also learning new and innovative techniques and tactics relative to working as a professional rescuer on avalanche missions and backcountry search and rescue. Our instructors and facilitators are industry leaders and trainers from organizations around the State, Country and North America. They represent professional outdoor guide and instructor programs, military and law enforcement agencies, urban and wilderness SAR programs, and have represented their own rescue organizations domestically and internationally on a variety of mission types. They all share a common goal of sharing their passion with others, building the next generation of professional rescuers, and helping each person and team succeed on an individual basis, based on their needs, challenges and strengths.

Our goals for this course are to solidify current skills and abilities, while also supporting participants in developing new skills and how they relate to roles and responsibilities in search and rescue on a larger scale.

For K9’s there will be a combination of search drills and scenarios, obedience training, agility courses, and various transportation methods exposure, as well as other engagement and socialization opportunities built it into the program.

For Technicians, the course provides opportunities to develop and refresh hard skills; such as Recco, beacon and other common avalanche rescue equipment usage, as well as professional rescuers skills such as; patient treatment, triage and packaging, low angle, scree or snow rescue techniques and equipment usage, methods and equipment for land navigation, incident command responsibilities, structure and communication skills, as well as involvement with K9 training where applicable or desired.

Audit role (Handler ONLY, No Dog). We have the opportunity to offer a few “audit” roles for future dog handlers, looking to attend this course without a dog. The goal is to learn the process and develop skills to be come a great handler. There are only a few of these slots available, and we are asking that if someone registers for this role that they commit to at least three days, in order to experience the development and growth over the majority of the duration.

Location:

Winter Park, CO / Winter Park Ski Resort

Dates:

January 31st – February 4th, 2021

Times:

TBD

NOTE:

TBD

Course Value:

TBD

(Included in Value: Course Instruction and Feedback, Breakfast and Lunch each day, Evening social event with drinks and food, and course gift).

***Priority will be given to applicants who can commit to the Full Course for their respected discipline.***

In an effort to provide the highest quality training and allow for proper preparation, There will be NO DAY OF/WALK UP REGISTRATION, please make sure that if you plan on attending the course you submit an application for consideration.

TO APPLY: C-RAD Winter Course Application Form

This course is designed for avalanche search and rescue professionals, both dog handlers and technicians looking to develop their skills as professional rescuers for missions within and outside of their resort boundaries. Participants will build and review fundamental skills while also learning new and innovative techniques and tactics relative to working as a professional rescuer on avalanche missions and backcountry search and rescue. Our instructors and facilitators are industry leaders and trainers from organizations around the State, Country and North America. They represent professional outdoor guide and instructor programs, military and law enforcement agencies, urban and wilderness SAR programs, and have represented their own rescue organizations domestically and internationally on a variety of mission types. They all share a common goal of sharing their passion with others, building the next generation of professional rescuers, and helping each person and team succeed on an individual basis, based on their needs, challenges and strengths.

Our goals for this course are to solidify current skills and abilities, while also supporting participants in developing new skills and how they relate to roles and responsibilities in search and rescue on a larger scale.

For K9’s there will be a combination of search drills and scenarios, obedience training, agility courses, and various transportation methods exposure, as well as other engagement and socialization opportunities built it into the program.

For Technicians, the course provides opportunities to develop and refresh hard skills; such as Recco, beacon and other common avalanche rescue equipment usage, as well as professional rescuers skills such as; patient treatment, triage and packaging, low angle, scree or snow rescue techniques and equipment usage, methods and equipment for land navigation, incident command responsibilities, structure and communication skills, as well as involvement with K9 training where applicable or desired.

Audit role (Handler ONLY, No Dog). We have the opportunity to offer a few “audit” roles for future dog handlers, looking to attend this course without a dog. The goal is to learn the process and develop skills to be come a great handler. There are only a few of these slots available, and we are asking that if someone registers for this role that they commit to at least three days, in order to experience the development and growth over the majority of the duration.

Location:

Winter Park, CO / Winter Park Ski Resort

Dates:

January 31st – February 4th, 2021

Times:

TBD

NOTE:

TBD

Course Value:

TBD

(Included in Value: Course Instruction and Feedback, Breakfast and Lunch each day, Evening social event with drinks and food, and course gift).

***Priority will be given to applicants who can commit to the Full Course for their respected discipline.***

In an effort to provide the highest quality training and allow for proper preparation, There will be NO DAY OF/WALK UP REGISTRATION, please make sure that if you plan on attending the course you submit an application for consideration.

TO APPLY: C-RAD Winter Course Application Form