Comments on: The POD of a Search Dog is 100% http://re-search.org.uk/2010/01/18/the-pod-of-a-search-dog-is-100/ The bloke that knows sh!t loads of dead cool stuff about search... Sat, 05 May 2012 08:59:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: StuartL http://re-search.org.uk/2010/01/18/the-pod-of-a-search-dog-is-100/comment-page-1/#comment-2708 StuartL Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:08:48 +0000 http://re-search.org.uk/?p=538#comment-2708 I was talking about this over the weekend and have considered the possibility of handling a search dog from a bicycle. While there are clear access problems for the bicycle for certain types of terrain my instinct (note instinct, not proven or even circumstantially supported) is that a dog running at a 'cruising' speed will not have a reduction in POD proportional to the increase in speed. I was talking about this over the weekend and have considered the possibility of handling a search dog from a bicycle. While there are clear access problems for the bicycle for certain types of terrain my instinct (note instinct, not proven or even circumstantially supported) is that a dog running at a ‘cruising’ speed will not have a reduction in POD proportional to the increase in speed.

]]> By: Johnnie http://re-search.org.uk/2010/01/18/the-pod-of-a-search-dog-is-100/comment-page-1/#comment-523 Johnnie Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:33:04 +0000 http://re-search.org.uk/?p=538#comment-523 The real problem with the 100% POD nonsense is that it has slowed people down; both dog handlers and foot searchers. From the dog exercises I have seen, it does seem common to train towards this type of POD, by accepting nothing less than 100% success (ie always finding the misper). Fortunately, many dogs are still trained to be a 'hasty' resource, and the data I have seen is very encouraging. A dog, moving at three times usual search pace, immediately achieved 33% of its previous search success. As it gets used to moving at the quicker pace, the success ratio increases. So, assuming we accept the argument that it is better to search a bigger area less thoroughly (see most of Rob's other articles), searching 3 times more ground in a search period is definitely the way to go. Steve Ball (LSD Sussex) and I are planning an ex to test all of Sussex's hasty resources; bikes, runners and fast dogs, so hopefully we will generate some useful data. Anyone else conducted any rapid resource tests? This is definitely the place to share the data! The real problem with the 100% POD nonsense is that it has slowed people down; both dog handlers and foot searchers. From the dog exercises I have seen, it does seem common to train towards this type of POD, by accepting nothing less than 100% success (ie always finding the misper). Fortunately, many dogs are still trained to be a ‘hasty’ resource, and the data I have seen is very encouraging. A dog, moving at three times usual search pace, immediately achieved 33% of its previous search success. As it gets used to moving at the quicker pace, the success ratio increases. So, assuming we accept the argument that it is better to search a bigger area less thoroughly (see most of Rob’s other articles), searching 3 times more ground in a search period is definitely the way to go. Steve Ball (LSD Sussex) and I are planning an ex to test all of Sussex’s hasty resources; bikes, runners and fast dogs, so hopefully we will generate some useful data. Anyone else conducted any rapid resource tests? This is definitely the place to share the data!

]]> By: Daryl Toogood http://re-search.org.uk/2010/01/18/the-pod-of-a-search-dog-is-100/comment-page-1/#comment-515 Daryl Toogood Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:57:34 +0000 http://re-search.org.uk/?p=538#comment-515 You knew I would reply to this Rob!! So, how are "as it has some implications for the way lowland search dogs are used and viewed."? I would challenge any dog handler that gives a POD for their dog no matter whether it be 1% or 100% as I am not confident of the system for calculating the POD of a Dog. The only document that really explains this is "How Long is your Shadow" (maybe another blog post for you), but I don't believe that it takes into account all of the variables required to calculate the POD. Furthermore, I am not confident that any calculation could accurately calculate the POD of a SAR dog as many of the variables are Unknown. But one thing is for sure, the POD is higher if you use a SAR Dog than if you don't (in most cases, especially as I know that some smart arse will put some comment to prove quite the opposite!) You knew I would reply to this Rob!!

So, how are “as it has some implications for the way lowland search dogs are used and viewed.”?

I would challenge any dog handler that gives a POD for their dog no matter whether it be 1% or 100% as I am not confident of the system for calculating the POD of a Dog. The only document that really explains this is “How Long is your Shadow” (maybe another blog post for you), but I don’t believe that it takes into account all of the variables required to calculate the POD. Furthermore, I am not confident that any calculation could accurately calculate the POD of a SAR dog as many of the variables are Unknown.

But one thing is for sure, the POD is higher if you use a SAR Dog than if you don’t (in most cases, especially as I know that some smart arse will put some comment to prove quite the opposite!)

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