In order for dogs to become search and rescue animals, they must undergo extensive training from an early age--when they are puppies, to be precise. The best time for young puppies to start with search and rescue training is actually between the third and seventh week of their lives because that is when the brain's "imprinting" process starts. That is the time when puppies gain the capability to have recognition of other animals and people. This is also when they begin to communicate.
Imprinting Stage
During the imprinting stage, a search and rescue trainer should make it a point to expose the puppy to interesting and fun experiences. These experiences should be specifically geared towards developing and stimulating the puppy's senses. They should focus on sight, touch, smell and hearing. The trainer should make sure the experiences are between themselves and the puppy but also with other dogs and groups of people.
Five to Six Weeks
When a puppy is between about five to six weeks in age, all of these behavioral experiences should be performed on a consistent and frequent basis. At this point, socialization and imprinting are both integral to the connections necessary for establishing bonds between the trainer and other people who will be interacting with the puppy in the future.
Authority
Puppies, during search and rescue training, also need to learn about authority from an early age. The trainer needs to make it understood (by the puppy) that he is the leader of the pack, so the puppy doesn't have obedience problems in the future. When a puppy is approximately three months old, his temperament might start evolving slightly, and this might cause the socialization process to become harder. By this time, the puppy's imprinting process should be ingrained in his brain, which will help make this time period less difficult for the trainer.
Communication
Beyond the third month of a search and rescue training puppy's life, it is important to focus on communication and interaction skills. This time period is essential because it will have a huge impact on the puppy's future behavior and character. The experiences that a puppy has during early puppyhood are vital for helping a puppy reach his highest potential. Puppies that have been exposed to a broad spectrum of sensory experiences have a massive advantage in acquiring excellent communication, behavioral and response skills.
Considerations
There is no specific type of breed of puppy that is better than others for becoming a search and rescue training puppy. However, some dogs might be too small (perhaps a Yorkshire terrier) and others might be too big (such as a Mastiff). Dog breeds with high work ethics, desire to please, stamina, strength and agility are generally the best candidates for becoming search and rescue animals; though many of those characteristics can be taught.
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