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Show Ways of indicating location. Experience teaches that all dogs point excitedly to a location in case of a strong scent. The stronger the scent, the more excited the dog. Therefore, the dog will point most energetically to living or only recently dead persons ( up to seven hours after death), or to animals. He will point less energetically to larger objects with good scent, and least energetically to small objects or those with weak scent. Dogs have even indicated living persons better than they did animal carcasses that were lying on top of the people. The manner of pointing to a location ( indication) and the whole reaction at the moment of detection vary from dog to dog. They are determined by the individual temperment and character of each dog. Active dogs will act much more lively and crazy than calm dogs, who may just show a certain indication. The dog leader must know the exact way in which his dog points out a position. It is of great advantage to encourage the dog to give a signal while pointing to a human being. Later on this signal is an unmistakeable sign during the mission. The dog often indicates clearly, and often doubtfully. If he does the former, immediate action has to be taken. If his indication is doubtful, or if during the course of his search the dog goes repeatedly to only one certain spot, then the dog leader is at least warned and alerted. For one reason or another, the dog may not be sure of himself. Even if the dog does not react further ( he could also have been mistaken), the dog leader must definitely mark this spot. This spot and the surrounding vicinity are then subjected to intensive searching and probing. He notifies the mission leader that the dog has shown a peculiar behavior at this spot and that an intensive search of this spot is indicated. To what else does the dog point? The dog points to all foreign bodies on and in the avalanche, even to the scent of the ground, that barely detectable self- odor given off by the earth and its cover. He points also to urine and excrement spots. Therefore, if the avalanche is dirty or has been soiled, it is a good idea for the dog leader to clean it up first. - 68 - |