Free Dog Training Lessons

The author's Daisy

The reason for the Family Disaster Dogs site and free lessons listed below.

Is to train as many Family Dogs as possible to be able to assist every family in the World when emergencies strike. 

In doing so, time can be spared waiting for response from other rescue teams who upon arrival can work to further aid the family in the situation.

When a large scale disaster strikes, such as tornadoes, Katrina and the tsunami earthquake in Japan, time is critical to survival. Search teams have their hands full with a large number of call outs. 

The trained Family Disaster Dog can help rescuers by saving time because the dog is on location at the time of the incident.

Additionally, at least one family member is trained in the basic Search And Rescue techniques so they can help their own family and friends while awaiting outside response. Learn how-to find a person with your dog.

Another benefit  of having your dog trained to help you in an emergency is that if your neighborhood is cut off from outside help (which happens) then you can help your own loved ones and neighbors. 

Just think, if all the neighbors have dogs then you can form your own search and rescue team just like a neighborhood watch group.

This site will help you in all areas of setting up your own dog and friend's dogs to assist in any disaster or missing person incident.

If a grandmother or child wanders away and gets lost, you can help. If your family is camping, take your dog. 

Very few people get lost with dogs with them and if anybody wanders off the trail then you can ask your Family Disaster Dog to go find them. 

All you have to do is read the lessons pages, work with your pet and email if you need any advice. 

Note: These lessons are for family dogs and are not how-to train a professional working dog which is much more complex. Although working dog trainers may find some useful tips here as well. For professional working dog lessons contact me from the contact page.



Here is the page with a long list of survival items you need to pack and how-to pack them

In the Page Menu on familydisasterdogs.com

Find what Equipment is needed page on the Equipment Page

There is a Glossary and Terms of Words Used Page

Learn why a Scent Article is the easiest way to find a person, on this The Scent Article Page

Learn How-to Evacuate with a Dog's Help 

Full Free Lessons listed on the Lesson Page and in the blog date list at the bottom of this page are over 200 dog related training and care articles..click a date to see more.

These are some of the lessons on the link page with links to the most popular

Lesson 1: Taking scent and scent articles above link on the Scent Article Page

Lesson 2: To Leash or Not to Leash

Lesson 3: Start Searching for a lost person is included below in #4

Lesson 4:  "Find it!" Start looking for a lost person or object

Lesson 5: How to use a Tracking Leash part 1

Lesson 6: More Leash Work  part 2

Lesson 7: Tracking Leash part 3

Lesson 8:  Avoiding Burn Out

Lesson 9:  How to stop bad behavior

Lesson 10: How to hide from a dog

Lesson 11:  Scent Behavior

Lesson 12:  How to Read a Dog

Lesson 13:  How to Train your dog to do a Building Search

Lesson 14:  Train your dog to do an  Air Scent and Area Search

Lesson 15: How your dog will be  Indicating and Alerting a Found person

Lesson 16:  Is the dog collar on right?

Lesson 17:  How to use a Choker Chain Collar properly

Lesson 18:  How to use a leash

Lesson 19: Finding Evidence and Objects with your dog

Lesson 20: Planning Dog Training Courses and Routes   part 1

Lesson 21: Planning Dog Training Courses, Laying Trails  part 2

Lesson 22 : Advancing in Search Dog and Survival Training

Lesson 23: Aging Tracking Dog Training Courses and Trails

Lesson 24:  Learn Area Search Basics

Lesson 25: How to do Area Search Training

Lesson 26: How to do Cadaver Dog Training

Lesson 27: How a dog can Alert to Danger

Part 1: Teaching your dog to alert you to danger  Part 1 Alert to Danger

Part 2: Teach your dog Part 2 Alert to Danger

Lesson 28:  Dog learns how to come back to you after they find somebody or thing
which is called Teaching Refind or Return to Handler or Recall

Lesson 29: Your dog brings you items you need Retrieve and Go-Get Object

Lesson 30: Dog learns item by name to bring you Retrieve Object by Name

Lesson Test: How your dog will help you evacuate -What To Do when Alarm Sounds

Lesson 31: How to Find a Lost Person with Your Dog

Lesson 32: Training a Dog To Do Tracking

Lesson 33: Training a Messenger Dog -Go between 2 people

See a video of my family dog finding a person for the first time

Go to the Lesson Page in The Page Menu (top right sidebar) for links to each lesson.

Amber working a Bloodhound pup

You can also find these pages

Dog Bug-out Go-Bag Survival Backpack List and How-to

Links to Family Disaster Dogs Lessons

Emergency Links

K9 CPR –Emergency Breathing Technique For Pets

Good Luck and Be Ready !

See my Family Disaster Dogs ebooks and paperbacks at Author Page

Dog Bug-out Go-Bag List-cats too

Dog Bug-Out Go-Bag List

Evacuate with your Dog and Pets

Willie ready to bug-out

Hi everyone, 

2019 update click to The Bug Out Bag Evacuate Page for updates to the below list but please read this whole post first too!

For those of you who haven't heard of a Bug-out bag, it is a carry bag, backpack or in a dog's case, saddlebag that you pack with emergency survival gear to last a certain amount of time, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours. 

It's also called a go-bag, ready pack, grab-bag or 72 hour pack and it is meant to hold what you need to survive in the event of a disaster or emergency.

When you go away from home and leave food plus necessities behind this bag holds what you and your dog need to survive no matter where you are or what happens. 

To be ready for emergencies every household should have a 72 hour Bug-out bag for each person and pet packed ready at all times. 

This bag is meant to be a grab and go-to for food, water and first aid. You either carry it to a safe place when evacuating or have the bag with you when needed if something happens no matter where you are.

The basic needs to survive are food, water and first aid but other items can make the journey or stay away from home much more enjoyable or productive and safe. 

Like packing a simple fish hook and line in the bag because that small item can feed you for days after an earthquake or hurricane and long after the food in the Bug-out bag runs out. 

While doing search and rescue work we were required to carry at all times a 72 hour backpack or pack no matter what we were engaged in or how many other people were with us, we each had to be able to take care of and provide for ourselves.

In an actually disaster or emergency, you will have to take care of your needs too. Each person will have to take care of themselves for a little while until help arrives. This can be minutes or days depending on the situation and location.

Willie G and Miss Daisy ready to "bug-out" 2014

This go-bag or bug-out list is made up from items I actually used during search incidents and also includes what is recommended by FEMA and other agencies. 

Each person and pet should have a bag of it's own.

One of the first things I realized when I started writing the family disaster dog lessons was that most dogs could carry some of our survival gear or extra first aid supplies or food along with their own pet supplies. 

Then I wondered why didn't somebody else think of this :) Why didn't my Bloodhound carry my 72 hour bag way back then, oh the backache I could of saved myself today. I actually fitted Daisy and Willie up with bags as we wrote the first article and they both loved being so much help, they were excited and wanted to wear the bags everywhere. 

Daisy pictured below was a big girl, she even had a frying pan hanging on her pack for us to cook supper with. She was 12 years old and Willie was older when he started bug-out bagging, we had fun with it.

When I looked online, I found out that all of the dog or pet bug-out bags (emergency survival bag) recommendations or lists follow a general rule of suggestions that usually contain only basic pet items. 

Not many people had thought of including the dog owner's emergency preparedness items in a dog saddlebag, along with the dog's food for disaster or evacuation purposes. 

I did find a few campers and hikers that use dogs for carrying items but no specific dog bug-out bag for people. Which is my idea if anybody wants to produce them, let me know, I'm working on putting them together and if you do not wish to make your own, I can also put one together for you at cost of items and shipping. email me 

I do sell packed Family Disaster Dog Bags at events I do...here is "Dumpster" dog getting one..

His new bag is still being adjusted when this picture was taken

I thought this was a great idea because the dog can be included in being prepared for an emergency and instead of us trying to save the dog during a flood or tornado, the dog is helping us save the family or ourselves. 

Teach just one of my training lessons to any dog and you may save a life. 

The dog doesn't need to learn all the lessons. Like people every dog is different and has abilities they can use to help themselves and others in some way.

This concept of having the dog rescue us puts the dog into disaster planning where the dog will not end up lost, left behind or in a shelter. 

The dog has a purpose to stay with the family and help too. Why not use the dog's natural age old assistance they are always willing and ready to give us? 

Everyone I talk to agrees that the dog carrying the bag is a great helpful idea.  Our dogs are proud to carry extra things we might need and this gives the dog a job so they know what to do too, instead of being scared and in distress of the unexpected.

You can teach your dog to get the saddlebags and bring them to you too which saves valuable time as you get other people and things ready to evacuate. I have the lesson in the Family Disaster Dogs book and up on the lesson page above in the menu bar, you'll find the link.

Also, I have a lesson that teaches how your dog can wake you and family members in an emergency, like when tornado or storm sirens go off. You can send the dog to wake the children while you get the car ready. 

A well planned family could have a dog that helped load the car by waking up the children and fetching the gear to the car then all you do is open the doors.

The dog carrying a backpack can save valuable time and energy, this could be especially helpful for families with young children who can't carry much weight over long foot travel or an elderly person who can't carry much. 

You or other people would have to carry twice the load in that case, if there isn't a dog to help with the load.

I think it’s a good idea to evaluate the list below based on your own experience, location and then add items to it that might be useful for you and your family's environment.  

The list below looks large but it is meant to be lightweight and take up less space so you and your dog can carry food, water and a change of clothes in your backpacks. You may have to travel several miles on foot and the weight of a backpack can become a critical aspect when you have a long way to walk.

The 72 hour Go-Bag or Ready Bag that is recommended by FEMA and emergency management directors worldwide is designed for you to carry so you can walk to a safe location and survive for 3 days.

Note:

Unless you have a very small dog or pet, such as a bird, don’t worry about having a dog crate/cage to evacuate with unless you want to drag it along with you as you walk or if you are going to a human shelter which requires dog crates. 

(You can click the photo below to see more styles of cages on amazon and each purchase will help support the free lessons and work here. thank you)
A crate is important once you get to your bug out place or safe house. 

It is a good idea to have a crate waiting for you at your evacuation destination.

A leash is more important to have with your dog along with basic obedience training, in case a leash is not available.

A pillow case is handy to hold cats or other small mammals during extremely frightening times because the animal cannot see what is going on, they can breath and the material is comforting like a nest.

Birds can be slipped into a sock with the head out of a hole or gently covered so they do not see and get upset. Most animals can become very scared when people get excited or traumatized. It is safer to crate them or put them in a quite area away from the excitement, if at all possible.

If left on their own, most animals will seek shelter and come out after the excitement calms down and they will stay close to home unless they are scared away, and then most will return to a familiar location in a day or two.

Family Disaster Dog Bag ( basic)

Animal Rescue Shelters Recommendations

If you must leave your pets behind 

Inform animal rescue workers of your pets’ status by Writing On your front door or in a highly visible window, use chalk, paint or marker to write the number and types of pets in your residence. Include their location in your home and the date that you evacuated. 

Leave plenty of water in a large, open container that cannot be tipped over.

Leave plenty of food in timed feeders to prevent your pet from overeating.

Do not tie or cage up your pet in your home. If the house floods or collapses with windows breaking, the pet can escape if not confined in a cage or tied.

If you have any ideas you would like to share with others, please use the contact page to leave me a comment or idea to include on this site or share with others.




Dog or Pet 72 hour Ready Bag

Dog Go-Bag and People Bug-Out Bag..........List of Items

The Blue print are my recommendations. The black print is the usual list everyone tells us

These items are the survival supplies recommended for you to carry in bug-out bags.

A current color photograph of you and your pet together (in case you are separated)

Food, water – 3-day supply for each pet and person (Tie water bottles on outside of packs and use empty water bottles to store instant oatmeal, powered soups, instant rice, potatoes, powered milk, snacks and dog food)

Bowls -with lids, you can pack small items in these to fit in the space of dog backpack, can be used as cups too

Collar and leash -for dogs and cats too

Muzzle ( This is in case the dog is hurt and snapping from pain or fear)

Poop Scoop Baggies

Treats, toy

Blanket, towel, or newspaper for warmth

ID tag should always be on pet

Extra name tag

License number

Pet carrier or crate for each pet labeled with pet and owner’s information (keep near your bag).

Contact Lists Should be

Place in Pet’s backpack or rescue coat

Be aware that some shelters will only allow service animals. In a large-scale disaster, animal shelters will be set up when possible. Many of these facilities will be closed to the public in order to be able to deal with the rescues going in through other channels. The case load will be to large to take care of everyone which is why people should learn all they can about surviving without help.

1. Name, address and phone number of veterinarian, animal control and shelters in the  area. 

2. People to contact to take care of the animal 

This is a good idea if you are in a situation away from home so your animal can be taken care of. 

3. Be sure you leave a note with a friend about your pet being left at a kennel or day care in case something happens to you so they can get your pet. Kennels or day care facilities are often left with abandon dogs whose owners have disappeared.

If you are in a disaster, unless you have direct contact to a person, do not count on anybody to be able to help you because they might be in the same situation and need help themselves.

4. Vaccination and medical records

5. Allergy or other special instructions

Most first Aid Kits Recommend These Items

Scissors-other pocket knife

Gauze pads

Wipes

Instant cold pack (to big to carry-cold mud works in a pinch)

Adhesive tape

Tweezers

Soap

Antiseptic cream

Eye drops

Family Disaster Dogs recommends adding 

these items to your dog’s Go-Bag or Bug Out Bag

A compass and a map of your area

A Scent Article from each family member packed individually and secured in a plastic bag. Even if your dog is not trained they can be given a scent and they will seek the scent if you pay close attention you can read the dog, for instance, the nose may point in the person's direction while the dog remains sitting.

A couple of small flashlights with extra batteries or another light source

Water Purification Tablets

12 Hour Emergency Bright Sticks

16 Hour Hand Warmer

2 Mylar Emergency Blanket

Extra Collar & Leash Set

Reflective Dog Vest (cats too)

Life Jacket swim float vest for dog and cats

Pet Rain Coat and Boots will give your pet some protection in a nuclear fall out as will a full

Body rain suit for your self-extra shoes can hang on outside of bag

Tie-Out leash or chain 10-15 ft long

Powder Gatorade or electrolytes

Large Tea Bags (stops bleeding on dog or you, wet tea bag -hold on wound)

Candles and matches in a waterproof baggie.

Fire-starter (can buy in hunting section of stores)

Silverware, cup and bowl for yourself

Vet Wrap 

Toothbrush, hair brush and personal items to make yourself feel better, a favorite picture, toy or blanket,food item or comfort item always helps too

A book to read, like the family disaster dog book. Get a paperback copy or Get the Ebook for your device to read as you bug-out.

click the links to learn more, purchase and help support this site! Thanks.

Nutri-Cal is Concentrated Dog Food source used for sick animals that cannot eat. 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs body weight will keep your dog alive after you run out of dog food. This is a good standby to have.

Bandanna or scarf for muzzling, bandaging or using to hold your dog if you lose your other equipment. This should be hung on your dog’s pack as a flag for visibility by you at night. A bandanna is one of my favorite pieces of equipment because of their many uses. 

Plastic baggies to waterproof everything in the backpack. All of these items can be rolled or folded small to fit.

A couple of large garbage bags have many uses, as a tent, a rain coat, a sleeping bag or to carry items you find to eat.

A small waterproof container that can hold 10 Q-tips, a few cotton balls, matches, a foot or two of small twine, a razor blade, needle and thread.

Your dog should carry a couple days of food and water for you also, along with a small first aid kit in addition to what you carry in your own bug-out bag survival backpack in case one bag is lost. Click for Emergency Pet Food

There are many great brands of lightweight dehydrated human and pet food in the hunting section of large retailers, like Walmart or Amazon.

Extra light weight clothing can be hung over the dog's backpack in a plastic garbage bag to stay clean and dry.

Thanks for reading and I hope none of you ever have to Bug-out! 

Amber

Great News ! 

I have the Family Disaster Dog book available again ! July 2017

Self-published this time at a lower price without the middle man publisher too ! (The publisher was arrested for fraud and went out of business ) 

My edition is only $3.49 and you get all the lessons plus this page and more sent to your reading device or computer. (163 pages)

Get The Ebook Here on Amazon

Now available from Waldorf Publishing my children's book that shows your child how to ask your dog for help to find you and what a child can do when they find themselves lost ! 

Click to see "My Puppy Can Find Me" by Amber Higgins. I have a great illustrator in the UK who did the cartoons too! 

Sign up for the newsletter at the links on the sidebar to the right.

Suggested Bug-out bags to shop for:

Urban Survival Bug Out Bag, Choose from 2 or 4 Person Emergency Disaster Kit, 72-hour, Emergency Zone Brand (4 Person)

PREPPER'S FAVORITE: Emergency Get Home Bag with First Aid Kit, Water Filter, Food, Fire, Tools and Shelter. Ideal Compact Bug Out Bag, Earthquake Kit, EDC or 72 Hr Kit. Tactical Shoulder Bag Model


BE CALM & CARRY ON !

Follow That Dog !

Warning-Test-123

 

WARNING ! WARNING ! WARNING !

 

 

 

 

 

Confusion Fear Anxiety Loss

Panic Shock Death 

 

 

 

 

911-MAYDAY-SOS

HELP!

FAMILY DISASTER DOG

CALL TO ACTION

This is a test of the Family Disaster Dog Network

In the event of an extreme emergency, natural or manmade disaster, terrorist attack, fire, earthquake, tsunami, tornado, flood, landslide or economic collapse and it’s the end of the world as you know it.

In other words, when all hell breaks loose...and you are ordered to Evacuate or Decide the Safest route is to Bug-Out, slip away or run...don’t forget you trained your dog using these lessons.

 

As your dog wakes the household by alerting and rounding up family members, you will be waking and preparing to go.

Each family member once dressed will grab their own backpacks with emergency supplies as you and your trained family disaster dog grab family go-bags and 72 hour ready packs with extra food or supplies you want to load in the car to evacuate.

Your dog will follow your commands as your family prepares to  leave instead of hiding or getting in your way, your dog will know what to do too.

Your dog will carry its own food and supplies in a dog backpack giving you more room in your own backpack and your dog has room in its pack for extra supplies for the family.

These simple steps are preplanned out ahead of time.

Critical time is saved with the help of your dog.

This scenario will be the same if you were walking out to a safe preplanned location or to the street in front of your house.

Any item you need that you have taught your dog to retrieve for you, such as flashlights or extra boots, backpacks can be fetched by your dog and dropped where you have taught your dog to take the items. For instance, in the car, truck, shelter in the back yard or out to the street away from falling objects.

Now when the warning goes off all you do is evacuate and find shelter in a safe location with your loved ones and supplies.

Be sure to write on your house that all living beings have left the building or which pets remain behind for rescuers who come to check up on you.

Your dog will know from training and family evacuation drills what to do and so will your family which will reduce stress, fear and trauma.

This alone can save your life because more people get injured from panic then anything else during a mob situation or huge evacuation.

Set up camp with your family, bring out the pre-packed snacks from your rescue pack and celebrate!

You and your family dog did it!

Your family is safe; your dog is with you.

Wait for officials to find you or fix the disaster.

Do not leave your safe location unless you have a very good reason.

The next post will outline what to do when a loved one is lost and how to use your dog to find them. Be safe, have fun preparing with your dogs.

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